Welcome to Episode 43 of The Hockey Stick Show! I'm Miko Pawlikowski, and in this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colin McIntosh, founder and CEO of Sheets & Giggles. We talked about building a purpose-driven brand, the power of humor in business, and how to grow a company without taking yourself too seriously.

Building a Brand That Doesn’t Take Itself Too Seriously

Colin shared the origin story of Sheets & Giggles, a sustainable bedding company that’s anything but boring. From a hilarious brand name to clever ad copy, Colin explained how humor has been a crucial part of the company’s identity from day one. But it’s not just about making people laugh—it’s about standing out in a crowded market with authenticity.

Purpose and Profit Can Coexist

What really stood out is how Colin built Sheets & Giggles around sustainability. Their eucalyptus lyocell sheets use 96% less water and produce significantly lower carbon emissions than traditional cotton. Colin believes that doing good doesn’t have to come at the expense of growth. In fact, it can be your growth engine.

How to Build a Business with No Plan B

Colin’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in resilience. He talked about the emotional rollercoaster of running a startup and why having “no plan B” pushed him to make Sheets & Giggles a success. His advice? Be uncomfortably honest with yourself, stay lean, and don’t be afraid to do things differently—even if people don’t get it at first.

Insights for Aspiring Founders

Getting Started:Colin encourages would-be founders to stop waiting for perfect conditions. You don’t need a huge team or funding to start. He launched Sheets & Giggles with a crowdfunding campaign and a strong brand voice. The result? $284K in pre-orders in just 30 days.

Raising Capital:When it comes to raising money, Colin emphasized building genuine relationships with investors and not being afraid to walk away if the fit isn’t right. He also touched on why being a profitable business shouldn’t be a revolutionary concept—and why chasing venture capital shouldn’t always be the end goal.

Customer First, Always:A key part of their strategy is community engagement. From meme-filled newsletters to random acts of kindness, Sheets & Giggles is all about delighting customers in unexpected ways. Colin shared how this approach helped build a loyal fanbase and led to organic word-of-mouth growth.

Leadership with Empathy and Integrity

As a founder, Colin values empathy above all else. Whether it’s hiring, managing a team, or communicating with customers, he believes in treating people with respect. We talked about how this human-first approach shapes the culture at Sheets & Giggles and leads to better business outcomes.

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with insights on how to run a company that’s fun, sustainable, and unapologetically different. Colin’s journey reminds us that you can be mission-driven and profitable, strategic and silly, serious about success without taking yourself too seriously.

You can learn more about Sheets & Giggles at sheetsgiggles.com and follow Colin on LinkedIn and Twitter for more wisdom (and plenty of laughs).

Thanks for tuning in!