We had the good fortune of connecting with David Sternlight and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
We take our impact on the local community as well as the global world very seriously. We have been plastic neutral since 2022 in our partnership with CleanHub, a global organization that works to re-route ocean bound plastic and transfer plastic waste to better, more responsible outlets while creating jobs in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.

Our big win in 2024 was when Cabeau became B Corp certified. Becoming B Corp certified is an intense process that can last up to 18 months and identifies companies that excel in their sustainability and transparency practices. The rigorous auditing process ensured we looked at all corners of our business and what we could do better in the next audit process.

The employees at Cabeau really do care about this aspect of our business and we all take it very seriously. We’re proud to have taken the steps to create a better business and are continually looking for new ways to improve on this aspect.

What should our readers know about your business?
Cabeau came to be because of a 15-hour flight I was on where I was stuck in the middle seat. I had purchased a generic u-shaped pillow and throughout the long trek back to home in Los Angeles, where I was unable to get ANY sleep, I realized just how unhelpful the product really was. I knew right then that there was an opportunity to improve on a product that had zero innovation in many years.

I’m not sure if owning a business is ever “easy”, but it is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. Taking on challenges as a business owner is an integral part of entrepreneurship and personal growth. It was a challenge to leave a leadership position in sales that would be a comfortable path in life, but with Cabeau, I knew I had something special and even further, I knew I could innovate something people use every day. Being the CEO of Cabeau, I continue to learn new things every day and I welcome it.

Wow, there have been so many. The most important thing I’ve done as a leader is modeling resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. The pandemic was not a great time to be the CEO and owner of a travel accessory company and while, Cabeau faced numerous challenges and setbacks, we survived. By navigating the ups and downs of running a business and persevering through something so totally unexpected was probably the hardest life experience that will likely ever come my way. I’m proud to have demonstrated the importance of never giving up, looking at a problem from multiple angles, asking for help when needed, and maintaining a positive attitude during difficult times.

The most important factor behind the success of Cabeau, in addition to the employees, has been an unwavering commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of our customers. We really care about your travel comfort! By prioritizing this core attribute thorough market research and continually seeking customer feedback, we have been able to develop products that genuinely address the pain points and preferences of long-haul travel. This customer-centric approach has fostered strong brand loyalty and consumer word of mouth. Additionally, our innovative designs that have design and structure based in science set our products apart from the competition, ensuring that we consistently deliver the ability to have comfortable seated sleep while traveling. Our dedication to innovative product and market research has been the cornerstone of our brand’s success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many places in LA that I love. I would bring them to The Magic Castle, which is my absolute favorite place in LA. I’m partial to the Westside, and especially Santa Monica, where there’s a bunch to see and do. I love the rooftop at Hotel Erwin in Venice, so an afternoon drink there would be amazing. For dinner, either Moonshadows in Malibu, Uchi in West Hollywood, or Via Veneto in Santa Monica are a must. I would certainly take them to a great House music night, with a specific focus on my favorite genre – Afro House, to wrap up an exciting trip.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes, Bill Cullen, our Board Chair, is that person. Bill’s business experience and support has been instrumental since he joined our Board in 2013. During the pandemic, when we lost a great deal of our revenue overnight, Bill’s guidance was absolutely critical. Quite frankly, without him, I don’t believe we’d still be in business. I introduce Bill all the time as my guardian angel.

Website: https://www.cabeau.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cabeau-inc

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