Small businesses are often referred to as the backbone of the US economy. During the past year, that cornerstone came under pressure like never before. As the pandemic posed unique challenges, retailers were forced to adjust and adapt in true entrepreneurial fashion. In celebration of Small Business Month, Klarna is spotlighting a selection of small businesses within our network to share their stories of resilience and innovation.
Join the Club at Cozy Earth: Tyler Howells is the Founder and CEO at Cozy Earth. With an eye toward premium quality, responsible production, and natural materials, Cozy Earth aims to help consumers rest easy. Focused on bedding and loungewear, the company’s products are crafted using lightweight, breathable fabrics that are free from toxins and dyes.
Hi Tyler! Tell us your story. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Since childhood, I have always been a little obsessed with the feel and comfort of bedding. I even asked for the “softest bed sheets” for my 10 year old birthday. Frankly, I was mostly underwhelmed. Later in life, I was able to gain expertise in responsible manufacturing and the art of producing fine linens. I saw an opportunity to create bedding and loungewear that not only felt amazingly soft, but also provided unexpected benefits like temperature regulation, and that started everything.
What’s the biggest challenge facing your business as a result of the pandemic?
Global shipping delays due to Covid have affected companies like our own on a pretty large scale. However, those issues pale in comparison to the challenges and heartache this pandemic has caused for so many across the world.
Name a digital tool you couldn’t do business without.
There are many, but the first name that comes to mind is Shopify. For anybody who has been in ecommerce longer than 10 years like us, they know what a powerful solution Shopify can be–especially in comparison to its predecessors.
What have you recently read or listened to that has been an inspiration for your work?
As a company, we are constantly working on new ways to reduce our carbon footprint and be better citizens of the world. I recently read “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” by Bill Gates and found it surprisingly inspirational because it offers well-researched solutions to often over-politicized challenges.
What do you view as the greatest benefit to being an entrepreneur?
For me, it’s the freedom to be creative and encourage those on our team to do the same. Every day we get to work on thinking of useful new ways to make people dramatically more cozy. What could be better than that?
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs on building and running a successful business?
Make sure you love what you’re building and then relentlessly focus. Also, don’t forget to regularly make opportunities to serve others along the way.
Are you a small business owner? Apply for your chance to be a part of Klarna’s Small Business Impact Initiative here.