How AcousticSheep Grew Its Flock Worldwide

Wei-Shin Lai, MD May 20, 2021

Recognition- 2020 EXIM Bank Exporter of the Year- 2014 ImPAct Award for Exports- Entrepreneur of the year in PA (SBA)- Entrepreneur of the year in Western PA & WV (Ernst &

Young)- Entrepreneur of the year (CTA)- Numerous Consumer Electronics Show Innovations Awards

Everyone sleeps.30% of people do not sleep well.We help people sleep better.

Sleep Better. Live Better.

Outline- Why AcousticSheep Began- Challenges- Current Export Situation- What happened during COVID-19?- Looking Forward

Why AcousticSheep Began

AcousticSheep LLC Founders

Wei-Shin Lai, MD

CEO

Jason Wolfe

CTO

Why AcousticSheep Began- Dr. Lai struggled to get back to sleep after late night patient

phone calls.- Jason Wolfe, her husband, suggested that she try listening

to relaxing music.- Headphones were bulky, and ear buds were uncomfortable.- Dr. Lai and Mr. Wolfe invented the first SleepPhones on

their kitchen table.

Est. 2007

SleepPhones

2007

RunPhones

2010

SleepPhones Wireless

2013

SleepPhones Simple

2015

SleepPhones Effortless

2017

SleepPhones Harmony

2018

Setting up international- International CES- Distributors- Agents- Advisors- Repurposed standard agreements from industry- Wire transfers, PayPal- Marketing funds- Returns and repackaging- Bluetooth wireless protocol regulations

Challenges

Stiffed $40,000- India, Saudi Arabia- EXIM bank

Tariffs- Brazil- India

IP Protection- Defensive and offensive positions

Brexit- Currency fluctuations- Pause as new chains are set up- New distributors

China Trade War- Supply chain issues

Current Export Situation

International

Experienced

● Shipped bulk to over 30 countries

● UPS, FedEx, DHL, global logistics accounts

Quality

● Made in USA from globally sourced

components

Invested

● 10 translations

● Many certifications in place

Demanded

● Shipped to individuals in 90+ countries

● Worldwide traffic to website

33%of our sales are international.

What happened during COVID-19?

The Most Comfortable Coronavirus Mask Design By A Doctor (Plus a Solution for Glasses Fogging up or Wearing With a Beard)Step-By-Step Directions on How to Make Your Own Mask Using Household Items

Looking forward

Increasingly isolationist policies worldwide- Barriers make trade more difficult, particularly for small ecommerce companies

Leveraging technology- Tread carefully with monopolies like Amazon- Increase ecommerce investment- Artificial intelligence: Sleep Sounds by AcousticSheep®

Questions