How a Minnesota Company Stole Oprah's Heart

Every holiday season, Oprah Winfrey shares her favorite things, and many of them are quite pricey. In 2024, one item on her list is a cozy lounge set from a Minnesota-based company called Softies. This isn't their first time in the spotlight—they've been on Oprah's list for eight years straight! Softies started as a small family business in Edina, Minnesota, back in 2005. They make soft, moisture-wicking pajamas that keep you cool and dry. The lounge set that Oprah loves this year costs $139. It's not cheap, but Oprah says it's the best for lounging around.So, how did a little Minnesota company catch Oprah's eye? It all started at a tradeshow in 2017. Tim Murphy, the CEO of Softies, had a poor location at the show, but in the last hour of the last day, some strangers approached him. These strangers turned out to be from Oprah's team, and by the end of the year, Softies were on Oprah's 'Favorite Things' list for the first time. It's a funny story that shows how small businesses can sometimes make a big splash.