We’re Not in Vancouver Anymore: Investor Chats, Cold Plunges & a Run-In with Patrick Schwarzenegger

💀 NYC Partnership highs, pitch competition nerves, and the new direction of this Substack.

I’m writing this from seat 14A on the flight home, still buzzing from what just unfolded over the last 7 days. The plane is dark. That soft, blue airplane glow is above me. My inbox is full, my brain is full, and my heart is full. And yes, I am ready for a big night's sleep waiting for me. Manifesting a 95 Oura sleep score.

I’ve always said we’re not just building a brand. We’re building a movement. But this week in New York? It made that feel real.

This Substack is coming to you from somewhere over Lake Superior. Looks cloudy.

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💥 MONDAY: Partnership With Othership NYC

We kicked off the week with a partnership event at Othership Flatiron. This one was big. A room full of 65 strangers, and yet it felt like everyone already knew.

I’ve admired Othership for a long time and stepping into that space, with Sleep or Die on display and women walking up saying “Wait, I’ve heard of this,” was the moment I realized: our message is travelling faster than I am.

Bonus: I slept like a rock after cold plunging. Coincidence? Nope.

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🔥 WEDNESDAY: The Dream Ventures Pitch Comp

Let’s be real, pitching Sleep or Die in front of investors is thrilling and terrifying. I gave it my all, especially during Q&A, and I would not have done anything differently. I am really proud of how I showed up, especially under pressure.

That alone felt like a win. The judges were dialled in, asked hard-hitting questions, and I walked away with grant funding and new relationships that are already fueling what comes next.

Dream Ventures was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful for the chance to be part of it. Annie Evans & Kelley Arena, I am thankful to be in your orbit.

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‼️ THURSDAY: The Patrick Schwarzenegger Moment

This is one of those “did that really happen?” moments.

I walked into Pop Up Grocer, our first retail stockist, and saw someone familiar. It was him. Patrick Schwarzenegger. He was checking out the shelves when I found myself alone in the aisle with him.

I looked at him and said,
“I’m so glad you didn’t die.”
(iykyk white lotus, zombies)

He chuckled. I handed him a sample of sleep or die tape.

Then I walked away smiling, heart racing, knowing I’d just had a moment I’ll never forget. And proud of myself for always taking a beat to shoot my shot.

Snapped this outside Dante’s shortly after where he was swinging by. Iconic.

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🧃 Sunday: Sampling at Pop Up Grocer

It was a sunny day and store foot traffic was light, so we took our sampling table outside on 6th Ave. That’s when a gust of wind hit. Red bags of tape, postcards, and sleep tape samples flew everywhere. I was sprinting down the street chasing them in a full red outfit.

You can’t make this stuff up.

What made up for it? People recognized us. Some had seen us on TikTok. Some had read the Substack. One woman whispered, “Wait... are you the founder?” That’s when it hit me, this is starting to work.

Imagine this chick running after flying pieces of red tape down 6th ave. DW- I’d look the other way, too.

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📈 So What Did I Learn?

1. You never know who’s watching.
   We’re being talked about in rooms we haven’t even entered yet.

2. Our brand is doing the heavy lifting.
   From pitch decks to pop-up shelves, the response to our bold tone is real.

3. Momentum is real, but it’s also exhausting.
   I’m learning how to rest in the pockets. 20-minute breathwork before meetings. 30 minutes in the hotel room. That’s what kept me going.

4. I still feel like the underdog.
   But I know we’re onto something. Every investor conversation, every retailer ask, every “I feel seen” message from a customer is a brick in the foundation of what we’re building.

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🧠 What’s Next:

I want to start sharing more of the real stuff. The nitty-gritty of retail margins, investor feedback, and product roadmap decisions that don’t make it to Instagram.

So we’re rolling out a cohesive paid subscriber tier on Substack. It’s the price of a coffee (or strawberry matcha lets get real), and it’ll help us keep this community thriving while we stay founder-led and community-first.

Everyone here right now will get a founding member pricing offer to hop in early before we open it up more widely and increase the subscriber rate..next week will be our first paid-only deep dive where you will hear the gossip. Now is your chance.

I’m doing this solo. This will help keep the dream alive and deepen this community space that already means so much to me.

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💤 My ask:

If you’ve been nodding along so far and want a deeper seat at the table, this is your invite. No pressure. Just the good stuff, straight from the eye of the storm.

Not for you? No sweat - I believe we could always use less of what doesn't resonate with us.

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See u on the other side of a 9hr sleep ✌️

The true NYC nightcap.