Your Digital Marketing Coach with Neal Schaffer
How Derek Hales Replaced His Agency Salary in 2 Months Testing Mattresses
16 Sep 2025
Ever wonder how someone goes from frustrated agency employee to building a trusted content empire? Derek from NapLab shares his remarkable journey of turning a terrible mattress shopping experience into a business that replaced his salary in just two months.In this episode, you'll discover Derek's "create what you wished existed" approach to content strategy, why he started testing mattresses in a cramped one-bedroom apartment with nothing but a cell phone and lamp lighting, and how this humble beginning led to one of the most trusted review sites in the mattress industry.Key takeaways from this conversation:How to identify profitable content opportunities from your own consumer frustrationsWhy starting imperfectly beats waiting for the right equipment or skillsThe simple transparency strategy that builds more trust than any sales funnelHow to monetize content without compromising your integrity or audience trustDerek's approach to weathering Google algorithm updates by focusing on authenticityWhy saying no to sponsored content actually increased his revenueThe North Star mindset that guides every piece of content he createsDerek's story proves that authenticity and genuine problem-solving will always win over flashy marketing tactics. Whether you're a content creator, entrepreneur, or business owner looking to build trust with your audience, this episode offers a blueprint for turning your expertise into sustainable income while maintaining your integrity.Connect with Derek at NapLab.com or find him on LinkedIn.Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com
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