Corporate Tacos - The Freak Sheet Mistake That Costs Us Tens of Thousands $$$, And How We Fixed It

Jo (00:00.182)

You're listening to the Girls Get Off podcast, an R18 podcast on all things female pleasure. Think girl talk, but real girl talk, where we chat all things masty, self-loving, sex, orgasms and more. Nothing is off limits, which means you get all the secrets even our guests BFFs don't know. We're on a mission to make talking about getting off as fun as actually doing it. Ready to join the Mastination? Let's get into it.

Jo (00:31.342)

Hello and welcome back to the Girls Get Off podcast, another corporate tacos one, chatting all things business, mainly fails when it comes to us. But yeah, we had a doozy over the holidays with our, I think the day before we went, we were going on leave, was it? Yeah. So for us, we had planned to stop maybe like a week before Christmas, right? Because previously,

Christmas for us hadn't been like a super busy time. People aren't buying vibrators for their sisters and their mums, the people that they're normally buying presents for. So we had sort of discussed, we can probably take time off. You know, we don't need to work up until Christmas Eve. And then it came out that actually we had this problem with the freak sheets. Yeah. And so like, I think it's like, we're just always busy, right? Like if it's not you doing sporty things or me doing mum things.

It's work and like busy lifestyle. want something like a freak sheet to be machine washable. Like key point for us, I think was one of them. And when we were making it, we were like, it'd be really cool if you could have one side that's like a breathable bamboo fabric. And then the other side, that's like a nice soft fleece for the cooler days and stuff like that. And like even the manufacturer we went through that have.

you know, use these fabrics before and stuff. There just was never any mention. I don't know. How do we even explain that? Like we're just like, Oh yeah, we got the product right. The manufacturer was happy with how it all went together. did heaps of test runs. The amount of like test things we got was amazing and do the bulk order. And then somebody sends us a photo after it's gone in the washing machine.

and the bamboo side, it's just too fine to be machine washable. like, obviously in there getting tossed around with the weight of the water in there and stuff like that, it's just pulling away at the seams. And I think this has happened before. And I think this is another case of us trusting our manufacturers too much before we actually go and do the tests ourselves. people probably don't know, but at the very, very beginning, when we first started Girls Get Off,

Jo (02:53.858)

The manufacturer said to us, yeah, these toys are waterproof. And we were like, perfect. Like they literally sent us a video of the toys in a bowl of water, like going, and we were like, perfect. That means it's waterproof. You know, we go about using them in our daily lives or whatever. We don't think to do some rigorous waterproof testing on the toys that they've seen us in a bowl of water. And then probably six months down the track when people started sending the back saying, you know, they all had the same water issues. were like, we went back to the supplier and said,

Are they waterproof? And they said, no, no, not waterproof, just like splash proof or something. We were like, my gosh, here we are having told people that, you know, it's fine for like the bath and the shower, which the new ones are. Yeah. But this was another case of making the blanket being like sweets or machine washable. Perfect. We're good to go. And then what did the manufacturer say when you went back to them and said, Hey, hang on guys, how come this fabric is pulling away? Like, this is a huge deal. It's just like,

Yes, Joe. Yes, Joe, the bamboo fabric, it pulls. Like what? What? Yeah. We check with them. It's machine washable. Yes. Like, the fabric, yes, the fabric separately is machine washable and yes, but with stitching and the weight of all the water in the waterproofing thing, is, it did not stand the washing machine test. Yeah.

And I think like, is just, this is just the nature. This is just what happens when you have a product based business. Like there's always going to be hiccups like this that you just didn't foresee. And like, it's just another, you know, there's been three years since our other doozy like this. So it's just another lesson in like rigorous, rigorous product testing and just having to do it ourselves, which is fine. luckily, luckily to be fair, this is why we love feedback as well. Right. Cause luckily to be fair, this lady wrote in.

And showed us the photos and stuff like that. So straight away, and by this time we've only sold what? 130, I think 130 blankets or something like that. So, you know, we're going to replace everybody's that's already bought them with the new batch and stuff, but it could have been a lot worse had we not have got that feedback as well. So, a hundred percent. so basically because the, for those who are on our email list and you get the download every week, you would have no one.

Jo (05:15.97)

that we had meant to launch these Freak Sheets back in like May. Like it had taken us so long to, or taken Joe so long to negotiate and chat with the suppliers. So we just knew in this case, even though you can pay for people who were like QCs or quality assurance people to go and check on the factories for you, we just knew that it was going to be so much easier for one of us to go to China, meet with our suppliers, build a relationship with them and actually touch and feel the fabric and get it sorted on the day.

gosh, it was so funny because it still took us, I think two hours was our phone call or something when I hung up. I was driving back from Auckland and I pulled over to chat to Viv who was in the factory at the time in China. And it still took two hours of, and I was just, I was just cracking up because it was like just a fast track of all the communication issues that had gone on last year for me that was just like pulling my hair out.

So frustrating. And we realized that even though she speaks great English, like they just didn't like our design. Like they think it's ugly. And so she didn't understand and she wanted to do it her way. So every time like we're saying something and she's moving forward with what she likes and we want it a different way. And I think that was the communication barrier for us. it was really funny. I went to the.

I went with the supplier, she picked me up from my accommodation. We had to get an Uber first. And I actually messaged her and said, hey, I'm actually fine to get around by myself. I can just meet you at the factory if it's easier for you. And she said, no, no, no, I'll come and get you. And I said, okay, fine. Actually lucky that she did because we got in the Uber first. as soon as I got in, she said, have you got your passport? And I'm like, oh my gosh, that's, no.

But okay, because I've caught trains within a city in China before and it's like the metro, that's fine. But as soon as you go to like another town or another city, you need to take your passport with you. And so I did not think about that. So lucky she did because I would have taken this like 20 minute Uber to the train station to have to come back and get it. Anyway, so we go, was another like 50 minutes on the train and then another probably half an hour and another Uber on the other side. And we went to the fabric factory. So this is different from where they do the waterproofing.

Jo (07:38.286)

to make the blanket waterproof, but we went to the fabric factory and I was just in this room of like full of different blankets, fabrics, colors, stitching. So we then had more things to decide from because we also found out, know, you can either have, if you imagine different blankets, you can either have the edge of a blanket that looks like it's sort of taped or what would you, yeah, taped, binding. Yeah, so it's like that on the edge. You can have the stitching like we have, which is like,

If you know sewing, it's like an overlocked sort of blanket stitch. It's blanket stitch. Yeah. And then you can also have, if you've ever had a blanket and it's got like square corners and it's just sort of like they've taken the fleece and folded it on top of itself and just sewed it down flat. So there was actually, and we didn't realize that that third option was available. So we also, when we got there, it was like, Oh, hold on a second. There's also this other option. But the great thing about being in the factory was that

they would literally take the fabric and they had one of our blankets there already. So they could literally take that fabric, go and sew a sample to show us what it would look like with the different stitching and the different like, they didn't really, they had some other blankets so we could look at different colors, but all the colors, all the different, like whenever you choose a color, it's always custom. So they didn't really have any swatches or anything for us to choose from, but yeah, it was a wild ride, but it ended up being two hours.

on the phone to Joe at the, which is like such good timing, but it was really funny because you could see that even though I'd say we're going to go with this stitching and these colors, I could see the look on the lady's face who was, she was the like owner of the fabric factory. And then I had our supplier there as well. You could tell on her face, like you didn't need to be able to speak Chinese to understand that she was like, Oh, I don't think these colors go together. Or I don't like it. Like they just didn't like it. so yeah.

totally different taste over there, right? Like they were, they were so proud of that other, you know, that patterned fabric that they were like, this one's beautiful. Like you can do this one. And it's like all these random colors of like pattern. And I'm like, no way. yeah. just totally different idea. She said it one, I think it got to the stage and she said at one point.

Jo (10:01.262)

Oh, we don't think that this would look very beautiful. was like, Oh my gosh, crack up. I'm like, that's fine. We're going to push through. So it looked to be interesting to see what happens because the new freak sheets will come out in two different color ways. Yeah. So people have like a bit of an option, but yeah, it was a very entertaining experience, but I mean, just goes to show the power and actually being there. Oh, a hundred percent. What took us six, seven months last year got sorted in two hours. Like,

Yeah, think as well, the other thing with going to China, like the supply that we have, they've been around for like 20 years, like they're huge. So to go over there and show them that you're serious. I made sure I emphasized, you know, what the community that we've built, you know, the fact that we intend to purchase more, all those different things, because from their point of view, they could just be thinking, this is just someone they're just going to do an order and then that's it. So we've got to like stress the fact that this is going to be like an ongoing.

business relationship. Yeah, but it was pretty funny. And also it was just so great. The supplier, she was so small that her feet didn't touch the ground in the Uber. said, can I please take a photo of this? Because this is so funny. And she was laughing. It was so great. So just yet again, another situation where I felt like an absolute giant in China. Yeah, anybody with kids will know that.

that look of kids sitting in the back seat of your car and their legs hang over the edge of the back seat, but they don't go anywhere near the ground. Yeah. I'm following this lady around. Yeah, it was so entertaining. And normally they would take me out for lunch or something or all the other supplies have, but because we were on the go, they got KFC delivered to the factory.

I didn't know this bit scored. That would have been like your dream. know. Maybe they're feeding me Western food because I think that'll keep me happy, but little do they know I love KFCs. That was even better. She said, next time we'll have to go out for some actual Chinese food. said, of course. But yeah, it's really good to go and visit them. But yeah, guess that's been quite good to get that problem solved. And we've already ordered the new batch. So those 130 people or something will have their...

Jo (12:19.692)

replacement freak sheets sometime soon. And for those who want to buy new freak sheet, you want to have sex on your period. If you're squirting, just want to keep things clean, then they will be out. I'm not going make any promises, but Jo will have a better idea on estimations. I would like to say by the start of Fab, let's say by the start of Fab, just to, I've learned now what it's, we've been in business nearly four years and I'm finally

learning not to say even though they might leave China tomorrow. I'm like, no, this is free chips. See already I'm thinking about a different product. Don't believe me. Feb is not the thought, gosh, wow. Blankets don't have a big turnaround. No, blankets are going to be finished about Mibfeb. So yeah, don't worry. I was thinking about bumpy cuddles, which is on its way also. Yay. Do you know what I did learn though? The biggest learning from this trip?

was because our manufacturer is one of the biggest manufacturers of their top selling product, waterproof mattress protectors. So I've always had a mattress protector on my bed because I think just out of habit, you know, I always just think, and also if I want to like resell my mattress or something, like I just want to keep it all nice. Well, it's easier to clean, right? If there is a spill or something, like it's way easier to clean than a mattress. I always do too. Yeah.

Anyway, so I'm in the Uber and the DD and she's showing me a video of how these mattress protectors are made and all the machinery and I'm watching and there's like the film is being like laminated onto the bottom of the fabric and I'm like I for the last like two years have thought I need to I've got hormonal issues whether I need to come off the pill like I've been questioning why I'm so sweaty

I am a sweaty person as is and I will, if it gets like summer here in Australia, I will wake up in the night with a wet bed and have to switch to the other side. Like it disrupts my sleep. Like I've got fans going now and I'm like, it's because I'm sleeping on a layer of plastic. So I took my mattress protector off cause I'm like, cause I don't care about reselling my mattress and whatever. I'm like, now it's fine. It's like a little bit, you know, sometimes it gets a little bit damp cause I'm a sweaty girl, but I'm like, you're fucking.

Jo (14:33.172)

do you know what I do though? I've got a waterproof mattress protector, but then I've got a fluffy one on top of it. So yeah, to make sure. the one, the top one isn't waterproof. It's just like a, you know, one of those ones.

Yep, so anyway, I've solved that issue in my life. I'm like, well, all it took was a trip to China, but any actual normal thinking person would have maybe considered that before they just put up with being like, wet in bed. Yep. So anyway, the, it's another highlight of the trip. Not only did we sort out the freak sheets, I'm also sleeping a lot better. Groundbreaking stuff. I was like, I always thought, God, imagine if I end up in a relationship, I'm not able to.

move to the other side of the bed that's going to be an absolute debacle. I don't have space for someone else in my bed. Funny Yeah that'll do it. That'll do it. You went through, gosh, buying different sheets and all sorts and the whole time you had a mattress protector underneath. I know to be fair it's happened with a different mattress before and I don't think I had a mattress protector that time. I think it was just the actual mattress. It was just horrific but yeah I'm a sweaty gal.

You got to put up with these things. need some breathable fibers in that mattress, I think. But you know, the best mattress I used to sleep on was this old, real, like probably 20 years old, just like real firm mattress that I had at my parents' house, you know, one that like had absolutely no like cushioning. It was just that old school Springs one. And I thought, oh my gosh, I'm gonna have to go back to like, go back to just old school mattresses because they haven't got any, they've got no insulation in them. Nice and breathable for me. Was that?

As an adult though, is that when you're a kid? No, as an adult. Like if I go back to Mum and Dad's, it's just like a really just mattress we've had for years. I'm like, wow, no frills mattress. I'm going to have to go back to that if I'm not careful. Anyway, enough about my sleeping. That's the update on the Freak Sheet. So you will have heard the episode with Sean where we talk about launching the Freak Sheets.

Jo (16:43.136)

We will be relaunching them again soon. And I can't wait. I've got like, since we, since we launched them, got all these content ideas. I've got ad ideas and I haven't been able to launch them. So I'm looking forward to the day that they're back in stock. And yeah, that's about it from us. It's been our first week back and it has been the longest fricking week. Like honestly, I, the amount of times this week I'm like, thank God it's a weekend tomorrow. Or like, I don't have to work today. Like.

We have just had like done that much already in the first three days of this year, but that feels like a good week's worth of work. Nothing like coming from back from a break and just absolutely smashing workout though. I actually love it, but you said that on Tuesday morning. You said it felt like it was Friday and I said that on Wednesday morning. Oh, I thought I was on dinner on Thursday and I thought I was cooking and then yeah.

It's thrown me and it's never happened before though. So I think I finally had an actual break. Okay. Groundbreaking stuff. Yeah. But yeah, how great, how great. Keep this motivation up for the entire year. Exactly. And if you want to get your hands on a freak sheet that you'll just have to hand wash, won't be appropriate for your machine washables. There's still some available online for 50 % off. Yeah. I feel like we need to reword that actually as well because

That's, they're not necessarily faulty as such. They just kind of need to be hand washed and treated delicately. That's true. And you could just, and if the stitching does, like if the pink stitching does come under and you can just take it off, still got other stitching on it that will stay on fine. it just won't have as long a life as the other ones coming, but they are a bargain at half price.

Yep. I'm highly over a hundred dollars. And you're in Australia and it's hot, the summer side is really nice. Yeah. So ideal. I said on the summer side, I ended up folding cause it's summer here and I've got like a leathery kind of office chair that I sit on and I have folded up a small freak sheet and use the bamboo side as my, on the bottom of my chair every day. It's a little cushion. So good, but so cool and nice.

Jo (19:06.496)

Amazing well they're available on there now so if you want one and if you have any questions as always just DM us and we'll leave that one there catch us back next week for another episode amazing see ya bye

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