# 024: Aligning passion & business with Terry Lin of Forever Home Blankets

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2016-10-25
- Length: 49m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets
- Listen: http://theproductstartup.com/tps024-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets/

## Summary

Terry Lin, founder of Forever Home Blankets, explains how he launched a social enterprise by validating demand through an Instagram account and a low-risk Kickstarter campaign before manufacturing. He details his decision to use simple fleece blankets to minimize production complexity and leverage Vietnam's textile industry, while navigating the logistical challenges of packaging and shipping. Lin also discusses the importance of aligning personal passion with business viability, emphasizing that the core value proposition is supporting animal shelters rather than just selling a commodity.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=0) Introduction: Terry Lin and Forever Home Blankets
- [2:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=162) Origin Story: Volunteering and Product Selection
- [8:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=530) Aligning Passion with Business Model
- [12:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=772) Market Validation via Instagram and Email Lists
- [15:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=908) Product Design: Fleece and Standard Sizes
- [21:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=1289) Kickstarter Strategy and Low-Risk Funding
- [28:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=1725) Sourcing Manufacturers in Vietnam
- [34:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=2044) Packaging, Logistics, and Fulfillment
- [44:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets#t=2653) Marketing Philosophy and Final Advice

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Forever Home Blankets (company)
- Kickstarter (other)
- Indiegogo (other)
- Tom's Shoes (company)
- Seth Godin (other)
- All Marketers Are Liars (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Brooklinen: Vicki and Rich Fulop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-04-20-brooklinen-vicki-and-rich-fulop) (How I Built This)
- [Parachute Home: Ariel Kaye](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-05-parachute-home-ariel-kaye) (How I Built This)
- [KiwiCo: Sandra Oh Lin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-25-kiwico-sandra-oh-lin) (How I Built This)
- [Kickstarter, Copycats, and Comebacks: RiutBag’s Rise](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-07-01-kickstarter-copycats-and-comebacks-riutbags-rise) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [Aden + Anais: Raegan Moya-Jones](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-07-17-aden-anais-raegan-moya-jones) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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