Diane Campbell was born and grew up in Southern California. “I have always loved to travel,” she shared. “Growing up my family took car camping vacations in the summer and throughout my life I have enjoyed adventures in the US, Europe, Asia, Africa and Mexico.”
However, Diane could never get comfortable with the U-shaped pillows that are sold everywhere.
“It was on a trip to Paris with my daughter that I had purchased a U-shaped pillow to get some sleep on the eleven hour flight. It pushed my neck forward in an awkward position and did not give my head anything to rest against,” she said. “I arrived in Paris tired and grumpy.”
When she got home from that trip, Diane began working on a pillow design that would allow travelers to get the rest they deserve. And that is how Kuhi Comfort was born.
What gap in the market is Kuhi Comfort filling?
Diane told Timely Visit that when she was working on the initial design of the Kuhi Comfort Travel Pillow, these are the features she felt were lacking in the travel pillows on the market.
The first is comfort. “Many of the travel pillows on the market are over stuffed at the back which pushes your neck forward in an unnatural position,” she explained. “Flat at the back, the Kuhi Comfort Travel Pillow allows travelers to lean back comfortably.”
“Also, so many pillows do not have the support that lets you completely relax. Kuhi Comfort’s two cushions actually support the weight of your head.”
“But best of all Kuhi Comfort is designed for versatility and as such can be flipped, twisted and turned so you can find your perfect fit,” she added. “We hear from customers all the time who share with us the many ways they get comfortable with their Kuhi Comfort”
The second is convenience. “Everyone has seen travelers in the airport schlepping their travel pillow under their arm or even carrying it around their neck like they are headed for a slumber party.”
“No more pillow-schlepping with Kuhi Comfort. Kuhi Comfort comes in its own water resistant carry case that slips over the handle of any rolling luggage.”
The third is cleanliness. Diane revealed that while other travel pillows on the market only have a cover that you zip off and wash, with Kuhi Comfort the entire pillow and the carry case are machine washable and can be gently tumbled dry.
How did Diane Campbell build Kuhi Comfort?
When she got home from Paris, Diane came up with the shape for her pillow right away.
“I am not a seamstress so the first prototypes were pretty rough,” Diane said. “I applied for a patent early on because I wanted to be sure not one had already made a similar pillow. The patent search revealed very quickly that there were no comparable pillows.”
She spent many hours in the Los Angeles garment district searching for fabric and materials. Once she found a factory willing to do a small run of 500 pillows, she was able to test the market and right away, the response was compelling.
But with no business education or experience, Diane had a lot to learn (and says she is still learning) about building a business. She spent many days at the Long Beach Small Business Development Center (SBDC) learning what it takes to set up and run a business.
During its first year of business, 2011, Kuhi Comfort sold in a few travel outfitters stores by the referrals of happy customers. Diane processed, packed and shipped every order herself! The next year, she worked with the SBDC to be able to sell them online too.
Once The Wall Street Journal declared Kuhi Comfort “a real winner” and other major media recommended it, the word was out and Diane had to hire a logistics company.
Now, Kuhi Comfort is available in the US and Canada both online (kuhicomfort.com, amazon.com, travelsmartsproducts.ca) and at brick mortar retailers. Diane revealed to Timely Visit that next year, they will have distribution in the UK, Australia, Japan and most likely Singapore.
A darling of the media
Since Diane sold her first pillow in 2011, the Kuhi Comfort Travel Pillow has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Fodor’s Travel, Alaska Airlines Horizon Edition Magazine, the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) and by many travel bloggers as a travel pillow that does the job.
Here are a few of the Kuhi Comfort shout outs by the numbers:
20 Hours of Flying Without Neck Pain Bothell Integrated Health
1 of 16 ways to Gear Up for Enhancing Your Explorations Alaska Airlines Horizon Edition Magazine
1 of 9 Products Recommended for RV Travel Family Motor Coaching Association
1 of 12 Father’s Day Gift Recommendations Arizona Health and Living Magazine
1 of 5 Product Picks Parent Guide News
1 of 85 Things That Have Made Travel Better Delta Sky Magazine
1 out of 5 ways to Make Economy Feel Like First Class Fodor’s Travel
1 out of 12 Practical Travel Pillows to Sleep Comfortably Anywhere Travellerio.com
1 of 11 Best Travel Pillows: Traveler Tested & Approved Petergreenberg.com
Lessons learned on the journey of entrepreneurship
Diane has learnt a lot from running Kuhi Comfort and below are the lessons she had to share with Timely Visit for anyone who would like to successfully build their own business like she did.
I think it is important to have a vision. Knowing what you are aspiring to will keep you on track when things do not go as planned. And believe me, just like when raising children, things in business will at times go differently than you had planned.
It is in those times that you must stay focused on what’s important. On that note, know what the mission is for your company. Be clear about the purpose of your company and what you want your company to accomplish.
Do your best to keep a balance in your life. Again, just like when you have a new baby in the house a new business can keep you up at night. Do your best to get rest and take care of yourself. You will enjoy your life and your business more.
Network, network, network! Just as new parents need to find play groups and mommy and me groups to share and swap parenting experiences and questions, new business owners need each other for support and guidance. Find a local business meet up, group or professional organization where you can connect and exchange ideas and support.
In the beginning when things seem insurmountable, maybe to the point you’ll think about quitting, remember that you just need to take one step in the direction you want to go. One tiny piece of the puzzle will keep your momentum moving. I like to keep in mind what Lau Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”