Meet Satie Shottha | CEO and Founder of HipPillowPlus

We had the good fortune of connecting with Satie Shottha and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Satie, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?

I designed the pillow due to my own sleeplessness and pain. I am a side sleeper and stomach sleeper. I damaged my body in my younger years, as we all feel invincible at that age. Due to bad sleeping posture, my shoulder, back, hip and knees hurt. I knew I was further damaging my body by not correcting my posture. I bought some pillows that existed in the market. It didn’t do what I expected it to do. I decided to make my own pillow to correct my posture. After a few tries. I was able to make it work for me to get sleep without the pain. Once I was able to sleep throughout the night and reduce the pain. I thought everyone deserves a restful sleep. I decided to bring it to the market.

The 100% latex pillow core we use is not only natural, and biodegradable, but also manufactured in USA. We help keep our environment clean by keeping the man made, chemical filled memory foam out of the environment. We also put 10% of our profit back into the community by donating to the UNICEF for Education for Every Child.

I am not a huge risk taker, but I do like taking calculated risks. As in this case, when I saw that this pillow was helping me sleep better. I knew that more than half of the world sleeps on their side. They all have the same sleep issues. Sleep is one of the most important needs our body has. Without good sleep, our body can’t function properly. Our mental and physical health suffers. Our body regenerates during sleep. I knew that I had to help sleepless people sleep better. This risk didn’t seem frivolous.

I am a parent to two amazing young men. I believe, raising two compassionate and hardworking young men is the most important thing I have done as a parent. I want my children living in a clean and healthy world. My purpose is to leave this world better and cleaner for the future generations.

The most important factor behind my brand’s success is my desire to help people wake up rested and pain free every morning to tackle the day!

For me this business is not about getting rich. My purpose is to help people get the best sleep their body deserves, to stay mentally and physically healthy by sleeping well. The day I start doing it only to make money, I will know it is time to move on to something else. Money is a by-product not the focus.

I don’t think work life balance exists. I believe life balances itself out, if we carry on doing the best we can. If we are simultaneously taking care of everything that needs our attention. Later when we look back it all looks balanced.

Spending time with my family makes me happy. Life is short and I want to make the most of it by being around the people I love.

I am an artist at heart. I love to create something out of nothing. I am always looking to find new ways to do old things.

Success to me is when I create balance between what I do and how I make other people feel. A spirit of give and take.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are usually scared to start new projects due to fear. Either we stay stuck in fear or breath though the thick wall of fear and move forward to live our dreams. I have always been a little eccentric when it comes to learning new things, starting new projects. I used to feel it was my weakness but now I believe it’s my superpower. When I started my business, I thought I knew some things but as I grow into it, I am realizing I am starting from kindergarten and there is so much more to learn. The lesson I learned is that no one knows everything when they start something new. Challenges are inevitable, sometimes taking a step back and looking at it with new mindset is what is needed.

I want the world to know that I HipPillowPlus is my dream, and helping people sleep better is my mission. Our 100% natural, biodegradable, multipurpose, adjustable and compact pillow will change the way your feel about pillows.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting me. I would start with a Day 1- brunch at Off the Grid Waffles, day at Stanley Park and visiting Capilano suspension bridge, dinner at Vij’s,
Day 2- Visit to the Steveston village- Brunch at The Chef’s Playground Eatery – day exploring the Steveston village, dinner at Steveston pizza co.
Day3- Trip to Whistler- Brunch at “The Warehouse’ restaurant- and pick up some ice cream from Cow’s Whistler when tired and hungry from exploring whistler- dinner at Mexican corner
Day 4- Start the day with Peak to Peak Gondola – Lunch at Creekbread – dinner at Red Door Bistro
Day 5- Pick up some yummy treats and coffee for lunch from Crepemontagne for the drive, Stop over at the Shannon falls for lunch- Dinner at Bellaggio Cafe in the city
Day 6- Spend the day at the Miraj Hammam relaxing, eating, talking and rejuvenating
Day 7- reminiscing

There is so much more to do……

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been helped, carried, pushed and supported by many people but I would like to mention two non profit organization, 1.’The Forum’ is a non-profit organization that helps women entrepreneurs do it better while scared. 2. ‘The Product Boss’ Jaqueline and Minna from USA who help entrepreneurs grow their businesses to the heights they never imagined. 3. Jamie Kern Lima, reading ‘Believe it’ changed how I look at startups. I thought I was supposed to make a millionaire dollar in my first month or I am a failure but Jamie’s truthful experience on each page of her book truly helped me dedicate my full attention to this business for a long-haul. Success is a cross country not a sprint.

Website: www.hippillowplus.com

Instagram: @hippillowplus

Linkedin: @satieshottha

Twitter: @hippillowplus

Facebook: @hippillowplus

Youtube: @hippillowplus