From EarthPatcher to LITO Travel

In partnership with

Your Digital Twin, Proxy

• Your personal digital clone for low value tasks

• Gets smarter as you give it commands to learn

• The first truly general AI Agent

Meet your Proxy here

Advertise to 15,000 Founders

👋 Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my journey from a failed e-commerce venture to building a product now featured in retail stores worldwide. If you’ve ever wondered how some DTC brands go from obscure startups to household names, this story’s for you.

My first venture, EarthPatcher, aimed to bring eco-friendly, sustainable products to people’s homes—think reusable straws, compostable bags, and bamboo toothbrushes. The market seemed like a natural fit: everyone wanted sustainable products, right? But EarthPatcher didn’t take off. Here’s what went wrong and how I eventually turned things around with LITO Travel’s foldable suitcase—a product that now reaches global audiences.

1. The EarthPatcher Launch: Idealistic Vision, Flawed Execution

With EarthPatcher, I thought I had the perfect formula: eco-friendly products with a mission to help the planet. I created the brand quickly, relying on dropshipping to offer a range of sustainable household items. The marketing angle seemed simple: green, eco-conscious, and affordable.

But I overlooked one critical thing: the audience. I’d imagined that consumers would jump at the chance to buy EarthPatcher’s products just because they were eco-friendly. In reality, I was competing with countless other brands offering similar products, many of which had stronger brands and larger marketing budgets. People loved the idea, but they didn’t feel the need to buy from EarthPatcher.

Lesson learned: Don’t assume passion will replace product-market fit. Consumers care about sustainability, but they need a reason to care about your specific brand and product.

2. Rebounding with LITO Travel: Learning from the Past, Building for the Future

After the EarthPatcher setback, I took some time to reflect. Instead of diving back in with another eco-friendly venture, I decided to focus on something unique, functional, and based on real customer needs. That’s when the concept for LITO Travel was born: a line of foldable, high-quality suitcases designed for urban travelers who value both convenience and style.

This time, I did my homework. I conducted surveys, talked to frequent travelers, and analyzed competitors to ensure I wasn’t creating a product nobody needed. I also worked with designers to make sure the suitcase was practical, easy to store, and visually appealing—something that stood out in a sea of travel gear.

Unlock the Full Guide: From Ideation to Acquisition

For premium subscribers, I’m sharing the exact steps I took to bring LITO Travel to life and grow it into a brand that’s now sold in global retail stores and has inspired countless copies. Here’s a sneak peek:

1. The Power of Iterative Design
   With LITO, I partnered with manufacturers to test multiple prototypes, gathering feedback from real users along the way. This gave me insights into what features travelers wanted most—and which design elements were non-negotiable.

2. Building a Brand Story That Resonated
   Instead of positioning LITO as just a travel product, I made it a brand built around freedom and exploration. The “LITO” name (short for “Light and Together”) spoke to travelers who valued both convenience and sustainability, drawing in a community that resonated with the brand’s purpose.

3. Scaling to Retail Without Losing Control
   When demand picked up, I transitioned from DTC-only sales to partnerships with global retail stores. This approach broadened our reach while maintaining the brand’s exclusivity and quality control. Today, you’ll find LITO in major travel and lifestyle stores worldwide, but our direct channel remains our top source of brand loyalty.

Want the full story? Unlock the premium section and get access to the complete Ideation to Acquisition guide with step-by-step strategies, exclusive templates, and actionable insights from my journey with LITO Travel.

Upgrade to Premium to read the rest.