We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Baumel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

We believe that personal contact with our customers, and quickly responding to questions and requests, is integral to the success of our business. In a world where most companies rarely, if ever, call their customers directly, we regularly reach out by phone if a customer has a concern or question about their order or our product. We email back any day of the week and do our best to resolve any issues that might arise as effectively and quickly as possible.

This level of personal service is not common in our industry. In fact, I don’t believe it is common in any industry today. Excellent customer service and personal connection is what makes us stand out and is also what gives our customers the confidence to trust us during their recovery journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an attorney/mediator and a small business owner. I have started many businesses over the years. I started and grew two preschool/daycares and I practiced employment law and family law. I had a family law mediation practice as well. Following my double mastectomy in 2017, I created the Sleep Again Pillow System to help me sleep comfortably and heal. I now focus, with my business partner Kate Devlin, on getting the pillow system to as many people as possible who can benefit from the Sleep Again Pillow System.

What sets us apart is that Kate and I do everything ourselves. We are 100% involved in all aspects of this business. We also pride ourselves in talking with our customers (either by phone or email) if they have questions regarding our product or usage of their specific pillow system. Our goal is to help people sleep and heal and we truly want only good for people going through an injury or surgery.

We are most proud of staying true to ourselves. We believe in our product and we believe in each other, so we are confident we will be successful in what we set out to accomplish.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In September of 2017, during a follow up mammogram, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was the first person in my family to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, the cancer was caught early and was Stage 1. Based on my decision to have a double mastectomy, and the results of the biopsy, I did not need chemo or radiation. I had 4 surgeries in 12 months, including the double mastectomy, two reconstruction surgeries, and an ovary removal surgery. I also took Tamoxifen for 4 years. Between the ovary removal and the Tamoxifen, I started Menopause at age 43.

I consider myself very lucky. Cancer was such a good wake up call for me. I had been living this life, where I pushed the boundaries on what my mind and body could handle. I worked so hard as a mom, small business owner, attorney/mediator, and my body finally gave out. I should not have been doing all the things I was doing (at the same time) and as a result my physical and mental well being suffered. Cancer taught me to be much more balanced. I now know I should only run one business at a time and that I need to take care of myself in order to be able to take care of others. I always trusted that I was strong, but going through cancer and finding a new and better way to live has helped me embrace my resilience.

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

I have sold three businesses. I sold a mommy and me/mom’s morning out program in 2011, a preschool/daycare and the building in 2020, and a preschool/daycare in 2022. The first time we sold a business, the sale went fine at the time of sale, but the person who bought the business from us burned herself out and closed the business down within 2 years. We were much more careful with the next two sales. Our biggest question or concern is making sure that people have realistic expectations on how to run the business.

People believe that running a business is all glitz and glamour. That could not be further from the truth. There is so much that goes into starting, maintaining, and growing a business. The sales in 2020 and in 2022 were much more successful because the people who bought the businesses from us knew what to expect. They had the background and experience to understand the daily grind and the ups and downs of running a business. That would be my biggest piece of advice is to find a buyer who has been there before and has realistic expectations of running a business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sleepagainpillows.com
• Instagram: @sleepagainpillows
• Facebook: @sleepagainpillows
• Youtube: @sleepagainpillows148