Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Carlson.
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It all started with family!
My mom and Co Z Founder, Kathy was brought up in a family that really cared about linens. Grandma Bonnie taught us her sewing skills, customizing many quilts & blankets to satisfy various functional and style needs. My mom raised me to know the importance of quality and ingenuity. With Grandma in mind, my mom and I came up with the concept of The Co Z. It’s our answer to the never-ending problem of linens falling off the bed and the weight of too many blankets on our feet.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a smooth road, but only because we won’t allow it to not be. With The Co Z, it’s been a long, and honestly prideful sourcing journey. It took a very long time for us to find the right fabric. After many samples purchases, dealing with overseas shipping, and long-winded email conversations at crazy hours to accommodate different time zones, we ended up finding the perfect, not-so-standard blanket and sheeting (1800 count Brushed Microfiber sheeting with a premium lightweight microfiber blanket to be exact). This was maybe the most important part of our journey, as the fabric is literally everything about it. Outside of the sourcing journey, the overall goal of the business is to share our creation with the world, and to work together, as Mom and Daughter. We do get into your usual mom/daughter tiffs, like who reset the website’s password, but usually end up laughing about it right away. We have fun, love our customers, love each other, and love what we are doing!
As you know, we’re big fans of The Co Z. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Co Z is a patented blanket design that combines high-quality blankets and sheetings in sort of a 2-for-1 form. The design was specifically invented to solve the problem of making a bed in the state room of a boat, a difficult feat, because you usually can’t walk around the entire bed. My mom, being a queen of comfort took a sheet and blanket into a tailor, and the Co Z was born! Friends and family started wanting a Co Z of their own, so we began the sourcing journey, ordered the supplies, found a long-armed sewer, and had them produced.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of supporting Minnesota, and women. We buy the fabrics locally, everything from fabrication, packaging, to distribution is done by women owned businesses. My mom and I are a part of a strong matriarchy and honor that by creating this comfy little network that supports women in business, crafting, keeping up the artwork of long arm sewing, and women (and minnesotans) who want to be Co Z!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Ask your mom. Seriously. Can’t believe I’m saying this but it took me about 20 years to figure out that for any advice or mentorship you need, your mom probably has some kind of recommendation that won’t just be “try going outside and eating a banana”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theco-z.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecodashz/
