How Tiny Niches Deliver Big Results—A Lesson Learned

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Running your own projects is tough.

You’re figuring things out as you go, second-guessing decisions, and doing the work even when no one’s watching.

That’s why I’m always inspired by people building something from the ground up. Watching others test ideas, stay consistent, and make progress—bit by bit—reminds me it’s possible.

It’s not about overnight wins. It’s about showing up, learning fast, and staying consistent.

So I want to start spotlighting others in some stories.

 🌟Founder Spotlight

This week, I’m highlighting Lisa Schulner-Fine and Michael Fine—partners who turned a search for the perfect shower curtain into Quiet Town, a $3 million sustainable home-goods brand.

Lisa was fed up with flimsy plastic curtains, so she sketched a canvas design built to wear in, not wear out.

I think niche markets are amazing. There’s almost no such thing as “too small,” and Quiet Town’s humble origin proves it.

Michael Fine’s two decades behind the camera brought Lisa’s vision into sharp focus. Together, they skipped boardrooms and staged their first shoot on a windswept beach in 2016.

From day one, sustainability wasn’t a buzzword. Canvas scraps became Re:Canvas rugs. Local artists upcycled offcuts.

Their Sun Shower curtain uses non-toxic EVA—no PVC, chlorine, or BPA—and a take-back recycling program is already in the works.

As Quiet Town partnered with West Elm and Alex Mill, Lisa and Michael held tight to their ethos.

Product names like Ojai and Mendocino feel like invitations to slow down, while every color and texture whispers of open air and quiet mornings.

I believe that the tiniest unmet need can spark something extraordinary. When you embrace the small, you tap into something personal and powerful.

Quiet Town shows that “too small” doesn’t exist—only overlooked opportunities.

You can read the full version of the story here…

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🧰 Tool of the Week

Lisa and Michael didn’t just design beautiful home goods—they automated the busywork that threatens creativity.

Quiet Town thrived because they offloaded routine tasks and kept their energy on design and storytelling.

This very idea—freeing up focus by streamlining operations—is why Bardeen is so powerful.

Bardeen is a no-code automation platform that links your everyday apps—Shopify, Slack, Gmail, Airtable, and more—so you can turn repetitive steps into one-click or fully autonomous workflows.

Here’s what makes it shine:

• Cross-app triggers: Launch workflows across multiple tools with a single event (new order → update CRM → notify team).

• Browser automation: Record and replay clicks, form fills, and data extractions on any website without scripts.

• Prebuilt templates: Jumpstart common automations for e-commerce, marketing, and customer support.

• Natural-language builder: Describe your process in plain English and watch Bardeen assemble it automatically.

• Team collaboration: Share and adapt automations with colleagues, keeping everyone aligned on best practices.

I think Bardeen is worth looking into to sync new Shopify orders to Slack channels, trigger creative requests for product photos, and alert wholesale partners—without lifting a finger.

It’s like hiring an invisible operations manager who never misses a beat, so you can focus on the creative vision that makes your brand unique.

Small changes spark big progress.

Spot one friction point this week, experiment with a solution, and watch your workflow clear.

We’re all learning as we go—one insight, one tweak, one breakthrough at a time.

See you next week—keep building!