Making the Bed with Ruby Russell

“I’ve had a few setbacks. One was our first [launch in] March 2020. And guess what? The world shut down. And so I tried again on March the 13th 2023. I was at the London Stock Exchange when, guess what? That was the day that Silicon Valley crashed. So, all you can do is laugh it off and move forward. You don't cry over spilt milk.” When Ruby Russell’s partner suffered a back injury that left him unable to make the bed, she was inspired to design a product that would significantly simplify the daily chores for those with disabilities. Ruby is now the founder and CEO of RR Distinctive Beddings, a revolutionary bedding company aiming to combine luxury with accessibility and to take the complexity out of making the bed. With her two patents, Befitted Bedding and Stay Put Bedding, she is changing how we sleep. Today, we’re chatting with Ruby about the personal inspiration behind her inventions, designing a product with a particular consumer in mind, and her strategy to garner more visibility for her inventions. What we talk about: Using a personal disability to achieve greater good (02:47) The process of securing a patent (08:11) Why product variety is key (11:38) Ruby’s experience bootstrapping without investors (18:47) How Befitted is expanding their product line (21:35) Connect with Ruby: LinkedIn Befitted Bedding Instagram Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey! Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE! Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.