The Gutsy Podcast | Mindset, Personal Development & Entrepreneurship for Women - 240: Building a Successful Business the Simple, Low-Risk Way with Colin McIntosh

240: Building a Successful Business the Simple, Low-Risk Way with Colin McIntosh

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05/13/25 • 63 min

The Gutsy Podcast | Mindset, Personal Development & Entrepreneurship for Women

Starting and scaling a business takes more than just a great idea—it requires strategy, resilience, and a willingness to pivot. In this episode, we’re joined by Colin McIntosh, the Founder and CEO of Sheets & Giggles, to dive into his entrepreneurial journey and how he’s built multiple successful businesses with a mix of humor, strategy, and sustainability.

Colin shares his experiences of getting fired, pivoting into recruiting, and eventually launching a multi-million dollar sustainable bedding company, along with new ventures like SheetsResume.com and DirtCheapCompost.com. We unpack how he validates business ideas before investing money, the importance of branding and differentiation, and why focusing on traffic, conversions, and AOV (average order value) is crucial for rapid growth.

If you’re looking for insights on how to test a business idea before launching, grow a brand with humor, and build companies that balance profit with purpose, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Topics Covered:

How Colin turned multiple job losses into entrepreneurial success
The unconventional way he came up with the idea for Sheets & Giggles
The importance of validating a business idea before investing money
How to build a brand that’s authentic, engaging, and memorable
The power of a strong brand voice and why founders should lean into their natural strengths
Growth strategies: traffic, conversion rates, and increasing AOV
Why entrepreneurs should avoid making their company their entire identity
How Colin is applying his business expertise to new ventures like AI-powered resume reviews and composting services

Colin’s journey proves that entrepreneurship isn’t about having the perfect plan—it’s about taking action, testing ideas, and being willing to pivot when needed. Whether you’re launching a startup, refining an existing business, or just looking for inspiration, his insights on branding, validation, and growth offer practical takeaways you can apply right now. Success doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from going for it. So, what’s your next move?

Resources from this episode

Foundations for Getting Out of Your Head - a FREE 5-day private podcast experience. During this 5-day private podcast experience, I will cut through the noise and be your guide to breaking free from what is holding you back - your thoughts.

Connect with COLIN

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Save 20% off bedding at SheetsGiggles.com using code GUTSY

Save 20% off AI Resume Builder using code GUTSY

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Topics Covered:

How Colin turned multiple job losses into entrepreneurial success
The unconventional way he came up with the idea for Sheets & Giggles
The importance of validating a business idea before investing money
How to build a brand that’s authentic, engaging, and memorable
The power of a strong brand voice and why founders should lean into their natural strengths
Growth strategies: traffic, conversion rates, and increasing AOV
Why entrepreneurs should avoid making their company their entire identity
How Colin is applying his business expertise to new ventures like AI-powered resume reviews and composting services

Resources from this episode

Connect with COLIN

on LinkedIn

Save 20% off bedding at SheetsGiggles.com using code GUTSY

Save 20% off AI Resume Builder using code GUTSY

Connect with LauraAura

Facebook | TikTok | Instagram | LinkedIn | Web

Support the show

Previous Episode

Powerback 239: What If You Took Up Space Like a Man (Without Changing Who You Are)?

Ever wonder what your life—and career—would look like if the playing field were actually equal?

In this firestarter episode, LauraAura shares the bold question she asked ChatGPT: What would my life and business look like if I were a man? Spoiler: The response both pissed her off and ignited a whole new level of clarity, confidence, and gutsy action.

Laura breaks down the top insights that revealed just how much harder women have to push to claim what they’re already qualified for—and what we can do to reclaim that power without apology.

💥 Inside this episode:

The exact ChatGPT prompt that sparked this game-changing realization
5 powerful insights that highlight where we’re still playing small (and how to shift that)
The sneaky ways we soften our worth and negotiate against ourselves
How to move like the top-paid, most confident version of you—without over-explaining, shrinking, or waiting for permission
A powerful journaling invitation to flip the script on external validation and self-doubt

🔥 Plus: A companion worksheet (exclusive to The Gutsy Collective) to help you deepen this work and take your next gutsy step.

Resources from this episode

View + comment on LauraAura’s Instagram Post - https://www.instagram.com/p/DJWwF1IgNy-/?img_index=1

Start making gutsy moves - Join The Gutsy Collective to rebuild self-trust, turn hesitation into momentum, and finally start moving toward the things you truly want. https://lauraaura.com/gutsy-collective/

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Support the show

Next Episode

Powerback 240: The Bold Move You’ve Been Avoiding: Why You Haven’t Made It (and What Happens When You Finally Do)

There’s a move you’ve been circling. You think about it. You journal about it. You even daydream about what life would look like if you actually went for it. And yet... you haven’t made it. Why?

In this episode, LauraAura breaks down the real reasons you’ve been avoiding your next bold move—and what finally happens when you stop hesitating and go for it.

If you’ve been craving change but keep finding reasons to delay, this one is your call to action.

What You’ll Learn:

The subconscious real reason your body resists change (even good change)
3 major mindset blocks that keep women stuck (fear, guilt, and perfectionism—we see you 👀)
Why “rocking the boat” isn’t the problem—it’s the beginning of your power
How overplanning + needing all the answers is quietly killing your momentum
What clarity, confidence, and momentum actually look like once you start moving
The ONE next step you can take today to get out of your head and into action

✨ You don’t need the full plan. You just need the next yes.

Resources from this episode

Join The Gutsy Collective - You already know what you want. It’s time to stop circling, start trusting yourself again, and finally move toward it. Join a community where bold women rebuild self-trust, shift hesitation into momentum, and finally take gutsy action toward the life they actually want.