Today we’d like to introduce you to Oleg Lee.
Oleg, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Russia, my parents moved to Israel when I was 11 years old. When I turned 21 I moved to the US. Being a high school dropout and not knowing a single word in English, it was not easy to find a job. So I ended up doing construction work for many years, but I never really liked it, I always wanted to do something else; After 8 years my parents finally decided to move to the US.
Since my grandmother was a sewing teacher back in her country, my father was her best student. With his knowledge, we started making pillows in his car garage Lake Zurich IL. We had one plastic table and a sewing machine that was older than me. My father was making the pillows and I was looking for ways to sell them. I started going to flea markets on weekends and then moving towards attending national trade shows.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Growing the company and bringing up two kids at the same time was the hardest part. Sometimes we couldn’t pay for their day care or buy milk. Since we were new and didn’t have money we drove to every trade show anywhere from Illinois to Florida and Las Vegas.
At some point, I was able to get Walmart meeting where I could pitch my product to the national buyer. At this time, I just had my second child which is my son and he was only 2 months old. We couldn’t afford to fly there or get a hotel, so me my wife, my 2-month-old son, my father and I drove 14 hours from Illinois to Arkansas. My father stayed in the car to watch after my son while my wife and I went to a local Walgreens to change and we went to a 30-minute meeting then drove all the way back right away. Luckily, we were able to sell our product at that meeting and we got a national order for over 3800 stores.
After 3 years of struggle, I was able to grow the business to the point that I have enough money to support my wife, two kids and have attained financial freedom. I am very grateful for my wife for being there and supporting me when times were tough.
LiLiPi – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are the domestic manufacturer of life like pillows. We make our pillows in our own facility in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
Our pillow tag actually says “MADE IN CHICAGO”. We are the leaders in the industry, and well known as the creators of life like pillows that are shaped to specific pet, animals, human or object. You can find our products in major online stores like BedBathAndBeyond.com, Amazon.com, Groupon, Zulilly, Gilt, Ruelala, Houtleook, Homedepot.com. as well as Walmart stores nationwide
We only focus on U.S made a product and by doing that we are able to create jobs and support local business. We proudly employ army veterans, people with medical disabilities and minority groups.
What I am most proud of is our LiLiPi Smiles Mission.
Our Mission is to deliver as many smiles as possible to kids facing life challenges, as well as those going through their greatest time of need. We bring smiles by donating thousands of pillows every year to children in Children’s Hospitals and foster homes across the country.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success is not a financial achievement. It is more fiscal and mental I feel successful by being able to do what I love and being able to spend as much time as I want with my family. Waking up every day and being excited about going to my office. But the most important is being able to help others
Contact Info:
- Address: 100 N Fairway Dr,
Unit 116, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 - Website: www.lilipipets.com
- Phone: 224.424.4682
- Email: info@lilipibrand.com
- Instagram: @leeoleg1984
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilipipets/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lilipipets
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yfGTdARsmg
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