The Tin Shingle Blog

What leads a dentist to invent the "perfect pillow"?  Where do you even start on that quest as an entrepreneur?  And why is everyone going crazy about it?  Find out in this exclusive Small Biz Spotlight interview with Dr. Dawn Jones-Sylla...

By trade you are a dentist and own your own practice, which means we have to ask, what led you to embark on a mission to create the “perfect pillow” (where both comfort and hairstyles are concerned)?
I had always struggled with preserving my own freshly done hair styles.  I had even trained myself to sleep a certain way at night.  A few years ago, while watching the movie Memoirs of a Geisha, I envisioned the solution to this life long struggle.

Let’s go back to the start of your business:  how hard is the pillow industry to figure out and break into?  Where did you start the process?
The pillow industry has not been too difficult to navigate.  It was challenging sifting through all the information regarding state regulations for registration and sales tax, but we got through it.  It was also very challenging to connect with a manufacturer that was willing to fabricate a uniquely-shaped pillow.  Aftr many attempts to connect with American pillow manufacturers, we were forced to look abroad and finally found a reputable company that was able to produce exactly what I wanted.

In your journey to produce the Hair Pillow, what were some of the tasks you could figure out and complete on your own, and what were some tasks you have to call on others for support in order to do them correctly?
My personality is such that I think that I can do anything.  For instance, I attempted to create my own pattern for the Hair Pillow and sew it (Note: I do not have any prior training in pattern making or sewing).  I soon came to the conclusion that, although I could probably do this, a trained professional  could create the prototype quicker and  better than I could.  The same held true for submitting my patent application.

Although I have hired a patent attorney to properly submit my patent application, I have been able to successfully submit my trademark applications.

What makes your Hair Pillow different than other pillows on the market?
The obvious:  It is uniquely shaped, comfortably supportive, and attractive.

The most important: It really works! (Beauty bloggers agree)

How do you balance both businesses – managing your practice in New York City with a growing product-based business?  Any tips for other “dual entrepreneurs” who may be reading this?
Balance you say?  Did I mention that I have a five year old? There have been times when I have had to sacrifice and put one busines

s on the back burner while I nurtured and grew the other business.  I have found that in order to maintain a certain degree of balance, four things hold true:

1. You must make it clear to yourself what you want to happen, or rather, clearly define your goals.
    
2. You can’t do it by yourself: You must hire good workers to fill positions and actively delegate.
    
3. You must put yourself on a schedule and stick to it.
    
4. You must decide to believe  that what you want to happen will happen. 

I have found that simply making a decision can cause doors to open, sometimes immediately.

What – if any – have you found is different in terms of running a service business (your dental practice) as opposed to a product-based business (the hair pillow)?
There is definitely less overhead associated with my product based business.  Marketing efforts for both businesses are completely different.  There are patient referral services established  that

dentists can sign on with and patients will come.  Marketing the Hair Pillow requires me to be more creative and consisitent.  Marketing the Hair Pillow and completing the administrative work for my dental office is where balance sometimes gets thrown off.

What are some of your entrepreneurial dreams for the Hair Pillow – and in general?
My entrepreneurial dreams for the Hair Pillow are:

• To truly improve the quality of life for all those in pursuit of maintaining good hair and/or attaining a good night’s rest.  
   
• To have the Hair Pillow featured as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things and in other major media.
   
• To have the Hair Pillow endorsed somehow by a major influencer.
   
• To have strong online sales every month and a strong presence in major and minor retail stores.

My entrepreneurial dream overall is to grow Lifestyle Pillows by developing and bringing to the market other concepts created to help one live a better quality of life.

Tuesdays have it rough.  They aren't the day that marks the start of a new week doing what you love, they aren't celebrated like "Hump Day", and they get nowhere close to the love that Fridays do.  Tuesdays haven't really had their chance to shine.  Until now.

There's a new reason to fall in love with Tuesdays and that's our weekly Daily Deal at Tin Shingle!  Every week, within our Tuesday #TuneUp email, we're giving away a FREE podcast on a buzzbuilding topic ranging from PR to social media to online marketing.  No strings attached, no purchase necessary, 100% free.  Sound good to you?  Here's what you need to know:

• Every Tuesday we'll share a different podcast you can download absolutely free.
   
• You can access it directly from our Tuesday #TuneUp registration email (look for the Daily Deal graphic you see in this post).
   
• The download will be available for free for 24 hours so get it while it's hot.
   
• Use the podcast to build awesome buzz for your brand. It's working for other businesses around the country - here's what they have to say about them!

Today's #MotivationMix is brought to you by Tiffany Bobb, the founder of T. Victoria Accessories.  In the saturated jewelry industry it takes not only a distinct style and design aesthetic to stand out, but also the tenacity and perseverance to keep sharing your brand and message with the press, retailers, customers, celebrities and more.  But Tiffany has been creating stunning pieces every since a spiritual journey brought her to this, her true passion and she shows no signs of stopping. What songs keep her going? 

Check out her songs and the motivation that lies behind them below, then click through to find this mix on Spotify and add it to your own Monday jam session!

Flawless (Go To The City) by George Michael
It's a great song for generating confidence, and the glamour I need to create the fabulous pieces of jewelry that make my customers feel "Beautiful...like no other...flawless...absolutely flawless"

Goody Two Shoes by Adam Ant
This is an oldy, but a goody.  It's an upbeat song that puts me in a happy mood.  I must confess there are quirky dance moves being executed in my office while listening to this song.  

And of her remaining five choices Tiffany says, "I love these songs because they allow me to temporarily escape for a moment to seperate my personal life from my business life, and get into the proper frame of mind to achieve my goals.  After the initial push, I can then bring myself to combine all my energy to execute my vision. 

• P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson
• All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
• Wanna Love You Girl by Robyn Thicke
• Soulmate by Natasha Bettinfeld
• Burning Up by Jessie J

Find Tiffany online via her eponymous website as well as on Instagram and Twitter!  You can also read more about the spiritual journey that led to her jewelry design business in this Small Biz Spotlight interview!