My 50-Year-Old Mother-in-Law Makes $1M/Year. The Product? You'd Never Guess
Executive Summary
My First Million episode 794, in which Sam Parr talks with his mother-in-law, Smithy Sodine, about how she built a business of more than a million dollars a year in her 50s by selling pillows. Sam says she started with about 10 thousand dollars after asking him for advice, then researched better advice herself and learned the internet and Shopify from scratch. Smithy tells her immigrant story from Haiti to New York, says immigrants feel they have nothing to lose, and describes how she evaluates offers, saying no one will give you anything for free. She explains pulling her pillows from Bed Bath and Beyond after two or three months because she did not like the business model, while doing well on Wayfair. Sponsor named in the description: HubSpot and its side hustle idea database from The Hustle. PARTIAL COVERAGE: this note draws on the opening, origin, immigrant story, retailer sections and closing, and may miss parts of the roughly 40 minute video. Revenue and personal stories are the speakers' own and not independently checked. Nothing here is financial, investment or legal advice.
Key Takeaways
Starting at 50
Sam says his mother-in-law started a pillow company in her early 50s with about 10 thousand dollars.
Better advice than his
He says she ignored his generic advice, researched online and found significantly better advice.
Momentum to the first dollar
Sam says he and Shaan tell people to start something in a week and just move fast.
Caveman simplicity
He describes a mindset of not overthinking, just doing step one, step two and step three.
Nothing to lose
Smithy says immigrants feel they have nothing to lose and must give it their all.
No free lunch
She says she believes no one gives you anything for free, so she asks what the other side wants.
Her choice of channels
She says she pulled her pillows from Bed Bath and Beyond after two or three months but does well on Wayfair.
The Conversation Breakdown
Starting at 50
⏱ Untimed topicSam says his mother-in-law started a pillow company in her early 50s with about 10 thousand dollars.
Better advice than his
⏱ Untimed topicHe says she ignored his generic advice, researched online and found significantly better advice.
Momentum to the first dollar
⏱ Untimed topicSam says he and Shaan tell people to start something in a week and just move fast.
Caveman simplicity
⏱ Untimed topicHe describes a mindset of not overthinking, just doing step one, step two and step three.
Nothing to lose
⏱ Untimed topicSmithy says immigrants feel they have nothing to lose and must give it their all.
No free lunch
⏱ Untimed topicShe says she believes no one gives you anything for free, so she asks what the other side wants.
Her choice of channels
⏱ Untimed topicShe says she pulled her pillows from Bed Bath and Beyond after two or three months but does well on Wayfair.
Core Frameworks & Ideas
Momentum to your first dollar - Sam's start rule
Start quickly and learn by selling.
Caveman simplicity - Sam's mindset
Do the simple next step without overthinking.
What is in it for them - Smithy's offer test
Evaluate what the other side gets before accepting an opportunity.
Actionable Next Steps
- ✓Pick a simple version of your idea and try to make your first sale this week.
- ✓Before accepting a partnership or retail offer, write down what the other side gains.
- ✓Research how others have done it before taking anyone's advice, including generic advice.
- ✓Treat the revenue and personal claims as the speakers' own, not as financial advice.
Notable Quotes
“just move fast, you know, momentum to your first dollar”
“I really believe like no one will give you anything for free.”
“I don't have to do anything I don't want to do”
The One Thing to Remember
Smithy Sodine says a calm, no-overthinking start, a sense of having nothing to lose and independence from any single retailer built her pillow business.