Rewriting Sleep: Otegha Uwagba on Sleepless Beauty and Modern Bedtime Struggles

Episode Summary:

 In this engaging episode of The Cashflow Show, host Clayton M. Coke welcomes bestselling author Otegha Uwagba to discuss her innovative collaboration with Pukka Herbs, reimagining the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty as Sleepless Beauty. Otegha shares how she crafted a modern narrative tackling sleep issues, particularly among young women, drawing from her own struggles with insomnia. She explores the impact of bad habits like late-night phone use and the benefits of Pukka’s Nighttime tea in improving sleep quality. This episode offers insights into creative storytelling, sleep solutions, and the business potential of wellness trends.

Key Discussion Points: 

• Sleepless Beauty Project: Otegha rewrote Sleeping Beauty for Pukka Herbs, flipping the narrative to focus on modern sleep struggles, especially for young women. 
• Personal Sleep Challenges: Otegha experiences difficulty staying asleep, exacerbated by habits like keeping her phone under her pillow and late-night scrolling. 
• Collaboration with Pukka Herbs: Pukka approached Otegha to align her storytelling with their research on women’s sleep issues, creating a synergy between creativity and wellness. 
• Creative Process: Otegha studied the Brothers Grimm version of Sleeping Beauty and other fairy tales, using a visual flowchart to craft a witty, subversive modern tale. 
• Impact of Nighttime Rituals: Incorporating Pukka’s Nighttime tea and reading into her evening routine has noticeably improved Otegha’s sleep quality. 
• Subverting Fairy Tale Tropes: The story challenges outdated gender roles, offering a fresh, empowering perspective on the princess narrative. 
• Future Opportunities: Otegha’s success with Sleepless Beauty could lead to more fairy tale reimaginings, with potential interest from major brands like Disney.

Key Takeaways: 

• Sleep issues, driven by modern habits like excessive screen time, are a significant concern, particularly for young women, affecting mental health and productivity. 
• Creative collaborations between authors and wellness brands can produce compelling content that resonates with audiences and drives engagement. 
• Simple nighttime rituals, such as drinking herbal tea and reducing phone use, can meaningfully improve sleep quality and overall well-being. 
• Reimagining classic stories with contemporary themes offers a powerful way to connect with modern audiences and address relevant issues.

Notable Quotes: 

• “I’ve written this short story… which explores the different reasons why a lot of people, young women primarily, often struggle to find sleep these days.” — Otegha Uwagba 
• “I wanted to give a nod to [traditional fairy tale roles], but as readers will find, I also do subvert that in the end.” — Otegha Uwagba

Actionable Insights for Businesses: 

• Content Marketing: Partner with creatives like authors to produce branded storytelling content that aligns with wellness trends, engaging audiences authentically. 
• Wellness Product Promotion: Highlight the benefits of natural sleep aids, like herbal teas, in marketing campaigns targeting stressed professionals and young women. 
• Employee Well-Being: Encourage employees to adopt healthier sleep habits through wellness programs, reducing phone use and promoting relaxation techniques to boost productivity. 
• Brand Collaborations: Leverage partnerships with influencers or authors to create unique, shareable content like Sleepless Beauty, increasing brand visibility and consumer trust.

Resources: 

• Read Sleepless Beauty on the Pukka Herbs website: pukkaherbs-sleepless-beauty.com. 
• Explore Pukka Herbs’ Nig