Pixie Campbell, owner of Napcake Why taking naps is good for business

Pixie Campbell loves to sleep. But after working in thefast-paced clothing manufacturing industry for 10 years, Campbellstruggled to find time for a mid-afternoon nap. To remedy that, shefounded Napcake, her homebased Pine Mountain, California, businessthat manufactures pajamas for women who want to live their lives ina playful, restful manner.

Using her extensive knowledge of clothing manufacturing,Campbell, 29, began her dream-inspired business in June 2000. Shecurrently sells her six sets of American-made pajamas viawholesale, retail and her Website, and her sales have tripled in the past six months. Todayshe talks with Entrepreneur.com on why taking naps has helped herbusiness-and why they can do the same for you.

Entrepreneur.com: What madeyou want to start Napcake?

Pixie Campbell: I worked ina pretty fast-paced industry in manufacturing in L.A. for about 10years, manufacturing anything from vinyl club clothes to ballgowns, so I started Napcake because the working hours were sointense and I was so stressed out all the time. None of thecompanies I worked for was really [forward-thinking]-in that some[emerging] companies are so great about letting people bring theirkids and dogs to work and allowing people to take breaks and thingslike that. And I really wanted to start a company that had itsfoundation based in those values and philosophies.

Also, for me personally, I had a really hard time just taking anap and resting when I was tired. I had this industry mentality ofgetting up, going to work, being there for 12 hours a day, cominghome, crashing out and then just never really taking care ofmyself. So the self-care and self-nurturing emerged.

		"Technically and medically speaking, I thinkwe're an under-rested society. And I think if you're goingto be productive in work-at least if I want to be productive inwork-you've got to be well-rested."

Entrepreneur.com: Why istaking naps good for business?

Campbell: Technically andmedically speaking, I think we're an under-rested society. AndI think if you're going to be productive in work-at least if Iwant to be productive in work-you've got to be well-rested. Thefunny thing is, Napcake was conceived in sort of a half-sleep dreamwhile I was indulging in naps, which is great, because I have a lotof creative ideas when I'm napping. If I find myself beingoverwhelmed with work, or I just can't get an idea, then I justtake a nap, and it usually comes to light.

Entrepreneur.com: How do yougo about advertising Napcake?

Campbell: I haven't doneany targeted e-mail or anything like that-I'm looking into it.And if I wanted to spend advertising dollars, I would spend it onbeefing up my Web site traffic. Last year I advertised in MarthaStewart Wedding and in one national magazine. I only did onerun because the company was on such a strict budget, and it was avery expensive ad. Other than that, I haven't advertisedanywhere. Basically, it's word-of-mouth. I've been pushingthat. It's great. People aren't just receiving yournebulous ad or looking at your ad. They're actually hearingabout it because they want to or they're connected in someway.

Entrepreneur.com: Your Website mentions that your mission is to "play wildly, restoften, live consciously and responsibly, and enjoy the world'smany beauties." Why do you think it's so important toenjoy your downtime?

Campbell: I think downtimefor most people is a rarity. And if you don't enjoy yourdowntime, then you'll find your life just slipping by you.