Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Hawkins.
Angela, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
One of my goals, when I opened a design gallery in 2007, was to create a bedding line after I built up my brand name. I had a beautiful gallery and I was well on my way until the economy “happened”! In 2009 I went back to corporate a little battered, a little bruised, but focused and wiser. I thought going back to corporate meant I had to abandon the idea of a bedding line until I could get back into a storefront and build that brand name.
So I waited. During the wait two great things happened, eCommerce became much more popular and I met my husband. Both of these things were pivotal to the rebirth of my idea. The eCommerce option meant I could develop my product line WHILE building the brand. And getting married was important because I married a troubled sleeper.
My husband would sweat throughout the night, he had allergic reactions to our bedding, he was miserable at night and often lacked the sleep needed to be ready for his day. I worked hard to help solve his issue. Although I was a solid sleeper, his sleep issues were affecting me and affecting how he showed up every day. We tried everything – cooling blankets, new pillows, expensive mattresses, but the answer had to do with the essence of the fabric. Our cotton sheets, no matter what they were washed in, we’re always going to irritate his skin. It wasn’t the detergent or the thread count. It was the impurities in the fibers and manufacturing process. I looked for solutions to see how close I could get to pure and natural and that’s how I came up with Bamboo.
His reaction was immediate. The feel of them was so soft on the skin. Climbing into the bed was an experience that reminded me of a luxury hotel stay. It was exciting at bedtime to think we were climbing into a bed that was “calling” us to get in it! And to top it all off, my husband didn’t sweat through the night. His skin didn’t react to the fabric. He was sleeping comfortably without incident. It occurred to me that this solution we found for him was not just for him. Sleep issues are so common, but solutions aren’t always clear. This brought me back to my dream to design a bedding line (pun intended). I could offer not just a luxury sleep line, but a sleep solution. People are suffering from sleep deprivation and skin irritation without knowing the solution is natural fiber bedding. I knew this was where I needed to focus my product line. I would focus on solving real problems and not just providing luxury bedding.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The process of standing this business up has been challenging but rewarding. This is my second opportunity at entrepreneurship. That meant I had some tools and experiences to draw from, but it also reminded me of areas that needed to be addressed differently.
I joined a small business community before I ever launched the business. I knew being submerged in an environment of like-minded motivated creatives would offer me the support I lacked in my first business. I invested in not only a professional Mastermind program, but I also invested in a mindset coach I knew I would need to work with to develop a growth mindset and practices to move forward through the challenges that were sure to come with building any successful business.
I’m a wife, I’m a caregiver, I’m a creative and I’m a business owner. All of these things require a different depth of my being to flourish. I would never consider it a challenge to handle any one of these roles but to handle all of them successfully, I have to be prepared to be challenged.
Please tell us more about your business.
Bamblu is a sleep company that offers luxury eco-friendly bamboo bedding and solutions for relaxation. We are an Atlanta based woman-owned business founded in 2017 that provides customers with lifestyle options where they can get the rest they need to live the lives they want. Our linen is made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo with moisture-wicking, temperature regulating, and odor resisting properties that create an irresistible sleep environment while elevating comfort and quality. We believe that a good night’s sleep is an integral part of living. It’s more than a routine. It’s a ritual that will improve your quality of life!
As a business owner, I am very proud of the product line we offer with Bamblu. And just as much, I’m proud of how the company shows up before you ever touch the product. I invested in building a brand identity for the business after about a year and a half of the launch. I wanted the brand to speak for itself before I ever walked into the room. People see Bamblu and it says “quality, luxury, modern charm”. I constantly hear from people who look at brands all day that Bamblu has a presence. That makes my heart smile. A brand needs to communicate well when no one can verbally articulate what the brand does or who the brand is, the identity should do that. I honestly believe Bamblu does that.
What sets us apart is the product is phenomenal. The customer reactions and product reviews offer a level of comfort and security in an era when you don’t know who to trust online. My customers speak volumes in their reviews, posts, and recommendations. That doesn’t happen if you don’t have a great product and excellent customer service.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We just expanded into a men’s pajama line during the 2019 holiday season and the response was incredible. Men didn’t know they needed bamboo leisurewear until they tried Bamblu and now they can’t get enough of it. We will continue to expand on the men’s line and offer more selections in the woman’s pajama line as well. We are also looking to expand our offerings in bedding sizes and colors.
We are our second year in business and with that comes more opportunities to build our brand and our customer base. New partnerships and affiliate opportunities. New products to offer new solutions to a better night’s sleep and in turn a better life. And new hires to get it all done. We are looking forward to every single minute of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bamblu.co
- Phone: 770-854-0873
- Email: hello@bamblu.co
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bamblusleep
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/bamblusleep
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bamblusleep
- Other: https://pinterest.com/bamblusleep
Image Credit:
Marcell Pickens – BLACHWOOD Photography
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