The Gutsy Podcast | Mindset, Personal Development & Entrepreneurship for Women

240: Building a Successful Business the Simple, Low-Risk Way with Colin McIntosh

LauraAura® | Keynote Speaker, Mindset Coach, and Entrepreneur of 17 Years

Starting and scaling a business takes more than just a great idea—it requires strategy, resilience, and a willingness to pivot. In this episode, we’re joined by Colin McIntosh, the Founder and CEO of Sheets & Giggles, to dive into his entrepreneurial journey and how he’s built multiple successful businesses with a mix of humor, strategy, and sustainability.

Colin shares his experiences of getting fired, pivoting into recruiting, and eventually launching a multi-million dollar sustainable bedding company, along with new ventures like SheetsResume.com and DirtCheapCompost.com. We unpack how he validates business ideas before investing money, the importance of branding and differentiation, and why focusing on traffic, conversions, and AOV (average order value) is crucial for rapid growth.

If you’re looking for insights on how to test a business idea before launching, grow a brand with humor, and build companies that balance profit with purpose, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Topics Covered:

  • How Colin turned multiple job losses into entrepreneurial success
  • The unconventional way he came up with the idea for Sheets & Giggles
  • The importance of validating a business idea before investing money
  • How to build a brand that’s authentic, engaging, and memorable
  • The power of a strong brand voice and why founders should lean into their natural strengths
  • Growth strategies: traffic, conversion rates, and increasing AOV
  • Why entrepreneurs should avoid making their company their entire identity
  • How Colin is applying his business expertise to new ventures like AI-powered resume reviews and composting services

Colin’s journey proves that entrepreneurship isn’t about having the perfect plan—it’s about taking action, testing ideas, and being willing to pivot when needed. Whether you’re launching a startup, refining an existing business, or just looking for inspiration, his insights on branding, validation, and growth offer practical takeaways you can apply right now. Success doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from going for it. So, what’s your next move?

Resources from this episode


Foundations for Getting Out of Your Head - a FREE 5-day private podcast experience. During this 5-day private podcast experience, I will cut through the noise and be your guide to breaking free from what is holding you back - your thoughts.

Connect with COLIN

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Save 20% off bedding at SheetsGiggles.com using code GUTSY

Save 20% off AI Resume Builder using code GUTSY

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