We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Betty Landin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Betty below.
Betty, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
As a serial inventor, ideas come naturally to me — I’m always observing, questioning, and looking for ways to make life a little easier. But The Wander Pillow™ was born from something very personal.
I travel constantly, especially on long road trips. And every time, the same problems hit me: I can’t get comfortable enough to nap, my neck ends up sore, and I’m always cold. Every. Single. Time.
But what really pushed me over the edge? Watching my kids grab their pillows and blankets from their beds to bring them in the car and then put them right back on their beds after the trip. Something about that just didn’t sit right with me. It felt messy, unhygienic, and just not practical.
I thought: There has to be a better way.
I searched for a solution something compact, clean, and comfortable. A travel pillow with a built-in blanket that stays together, travels well, and comes back ready to go again. Nothing out there truly solved the problem the way I needed it to.
So I invented it.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Betty Landin, the founder and creative force behind the Wander Pillow, the only Travel Pillow with a Built-in Blanket attached and stored inside and washer machine friendly!
How I Got Started
My journey into entrepreneurship and creativity wasn’t traditional; it was built on resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief that I was meant for more.
I come from a background where education for women was discouraged. My father believed a woman’s place wasn’t in a classroom, but I refused to accept that as my truth. At just 17, I left home on my own and enrolled in college, earning a degree in accounting—not because it was my passion, but because I knew it would help me build a stable life. Even then, my creative mind never stopped dreaming, designing, or imagining.
But life had more lessons in store. I survived a toxic and abusive first marriage, and when I chose to walk away from that, I lost everything; my home, my car, my furniture and found myself homeless with my two little girls. That chapter of my life could have broken me, but instead, it forged something unshakable in me: the grit to rebuild and the fire to pursue the life I knew I was capable of creating.
Seven years ago, I finally gave myself permission to chase the dream I had buried for so long. I scratched a major item off my bucket list by securing a patent for my own invention; an idea that had lived in my heart for years. Turning it into a real, living product has been one of the most rewarding, terrifying, and fulfilling things I’ve ever done.
Today, through my brand, I offer a Travel Pillow with a Built-in Blanket attached and stored inside, a product that was born from experience, made with intention, and created to solve real-life problems; freezing cold trips. What sets me apart isn’t just the product, it’s the story, the journey, and the purpose behind it.
What I am Proud of
I don’t just create, I connect. I create with empathy, with experience, and with a deep passion to inspire other dreamers, and survivors to believe in what’s possible. I’ve lived what it means to start from nothing and still choose to rise. And I’m proud to say that everything I offer today comes from that same fire.
If you’re here, know that this brand isn’t just about a product, it’s about a mission. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and reclaiming your story.
I fought every single day to create a safe, loving, stable life for my girls. And today, I’m proud to say: I did. They’re safe. They’re successful. They’re strong. And the family I have now is the one I dreamed of. I’m married to a kind man who is my equal, my partner, and my supporter in every sense.
Professionally, I’ve achieved dreams that once felt impossible. I invented a product, earned a U.S. patent, and turned my idea into a tangible, real-world brand. I work every day to grow that dream, create meaningful solutions, and share something born from both passion and lived experience.
I am proud when a product I designed becomes someone’s go-to gift for loved ones. Or when I see a small business owner’s eyes light up because they finally feel seen and understood.
What I Want You to Know
If there’s one thing, I hope potential clients, collaborators, or fans take away from my work, it’s this: This brand was built with love, thoughtfulness, and passion. It isn’t just a product or a business, it’s the realization of a little girl’s dream, the strength of a woman who refused to give up, and the unwavering support of a family who believed in her.
Every detail, every decision, every challenge overcome carries meaning. Behind it all is not just one person, but a story. A wish come true. A journey marked by resilience, courage, and relentless hope.
This is more than a brand.
It’s a life reclaimed.
A dream fulfilled.
And a message to anyone who’s ever been told they can’t:
Yes, you can.
Thanks so much for getting to know a bit about me and my work. I hope we cross paths soon.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
Today, my brand is available through multiple e-commerce platforms including my own website, Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, Facebook Shop, TikTok Shop, three retail stores across the USA and Temu USA. I’m incredibly grateful to be able to share my product with such a wide audience, millions of people who discover, love, and support my brand.
The Ups and Downs of Selling Online
The greatest benefit of selling on these platforms is the exposure. You get to reach people who may never have found you otherwise, people who resonate with the product and the story behind it. I’ve had complete strangers become customers and then turn into supporters and even friends, simply because they connected with the mission.
But there’s also a tradeoff.
When you sell through third-party platforms, you often don’t get to own the relationship with your customer. You don’t get their email address. You don’t get to say thank you personally, or follow up with a travel tip, or share a bit of your journey in a way that builds real connection. And that’s something I truly miss, because I don’t just want to sell; I want to serve.
One of my biggest passions is helping others beyond the product. I love sharing value through things like budget travel tips, ways to get the most out of your adventures, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of what it really takes to chase your dreams. That kind of connection, storytelling, and shared growth is why I started this in the first place.
So yes, it’s a bit of a sacrifice but I’m working every day to bridge that gap. Whether it’s through social media, my website, or upcoming email content, my goal is to not only deliver something useful but to build a community that feels inspired, empowered, and seen.
That’s why I created a Facebook Group Travel Nation, to share my travel journey, what to eat at certain travel destinations and where to go, on a budget,
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I launched my Wander Pillow in February 2025, but the real story started years before that.
This brand is the result of years and I mean years of saving, planning, designing, and dreaming. It took countless late nights, personal sacrifices, and unwavering belief in an idea I couldn’t let go of. I invested everything I had, not just money, but my time, heart, and hope to bring my invention to life. From securing patents and trademarks to navigating manufacturing and product development, every step was intentional, thoughtful, and fueled by love and resilience.
This wasn’t an overnight success. This was a leap of faith built on a foundation of grit.
But my dream goes far beyond clicks and carts.
I want to scale.
I want to go global.
And I want to partner with someone who sees the vision, understands the innovation, and wants to help bring it to airports, retail, and travelers around the world.
That’s why I took another bold step and joined The Blox, a reality competition series for entrepreneurs, which will soon be airing on Amazon Prime. My goal wasn’t just to win, I went to create awareness. To share my story. To shine a light on this product that I believe travelers truly need. And to find the connections, mentorship, and support that can take this business to the next level.
I’m actively working toward getting this product into airport shops and expanding our presence globally. I believe that travel innovation can (and should) be functional, thoughtful, and beautiful. And I’m ready to grow with the right partners who believe in that vision too.
This is only the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thewanderpillow.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderpillow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570363592905
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105373092/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCxYXF_gt0yZaxp0uNZM3-8g
- Other: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW5GLT3L
Image Credits
The Wander Pillow