The FAM Podcast with Mark Kinsley

AI revolution in the mattress industry...is it a ticket to dreamland or a wake-up call to a nightmare? In an enlightening tête-à-tête, Brandon Hufstetler, a luminary in the mattress retail industry, peels back the curtain on the transformative power of AI and Chat GPT. With a touch of humor and a wealth of expertise, Brandon and Mark Kinsley, embark on a journey through the innovative landscape of...

From aligning mattresses to aligning values, David Binke lays it all on the bed for us, proving that a good foundation—in both sleep and life—can truly make a world of difference. In this engaging episode of The FAM Podcast, host Mark Kinsley is joined by David Binke, the charismatic CEO of King Koil. Binke, a legend with a 40-year tenure in the mattress industry, delves into his vast experiences...

Step into a world where California sunshine meets the minds of mattress executives, seasoned industry veterans, and eager newcomers. Welcome to Dream Camp Palm Springs, where every moment is an immersive journey toward personal and professional growth. This past week was nothing short of extraordinary. From the sprawling landscapes of Guatemala to the rugged beauty of Montana, participants converg...

In a world where smiles open doors and stories sell mattresses, Mark sits down with Sean Hathaway, the enterprising owner of Mattress World Northwest, in an enlightening episode that unwraps the secrets to business brilliance. Sean, whose charisma and clever strategies have earned him a coveted Giants of Betting award, shares how a grin and a good tale are more than just pleasantries—they're pivot...

Sleep better with insights from a fourth-generation mattress maker. Shaun Pennington, CEO of ⁠Diamond Mattress⁠ , shares his wisdom on the FAM podcast. In this episode, Pennington discusses his leadership of the 80-year-old family business known for quality, integrity, and innovation. As a fourth-generation leader, he provides a unique perspective. Key Takeaways from this episode: Invest in coachi...

Turn your least favorite part of business into a bedtime story with ShareTown, where mattress returns are transformed into innovative triumphs! Transforming what is typically a logistical nightmare, mattress returns, into an innovative and sustainable solution, this week we sit down with Co-Founder Jorja Leavitt, of ShareTown . This company is not just managing returns; it's redefining the process...

It's the age old quest for the perfect night's sleep! Akin to the search for the Holy Grail, this episode serves up a veritable mattress odyssey with the affable Samuel Utt of Sleep USA Mattress in Cleveland, Tennessee. This isn't your typical yawner of a bed-buying guide; it's an adventure into the soft, sometimes perplexing world of sleep solutions, guided by a man who knows his mattresses bette...

It's an inauguration that no one wants to sleep through as Mark Kinsley passes the CEO baton to Chealen Martin.  In this episode, we're not just fluffing pillows; we're laying down insights with Chealen Martin, the newly minted president and CEO of Englander, who's ready to give us a peek under the covers of the mattress industry. From navigating the coils of corporate leadership to the plush comf...

When your star seller becomes a team toxin: what's the next move? Time to call the good doctor! Bob Phibbs, often hailed as the retail guru, rejoins The FAM in this episode to take a deep dive into the high-stakes world of managing rockstar salespeople without letting the show turn into a one-man band catastrophe. Imagine a business as a harmonious orchestra, but with a soloist who plays by their...

AI revolution in the mattress industry...is it a ticket to dreamland or a wake-up call to a nightmare? In an enlightening tête-à-tête, Brandon Hufstetler, a luminary in the mattress retail industry, peels back the curtain on the transformative power of AI and Chat GPT. With a touch of humor and a wealth of expertise, Brandon and Mark Kinsley, embark on a journey through the innovative landscape of...

From the showroom floor to the corner office, Kelly Christal's journey from mattress salesperson to franchise mogul is a masterclass in turning dreams into reality, one sleep solution at a time. Kelly Christal's journey from a mattress salesperson to the owner of a Mattress Firm South Dakota franchise is a testament to entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Starting in the compe...

In a world where the value of a good night's sleep is often underestimated, one woman's quest to save a few dollars on groceries catapulted her into the realm of entrepreneurial success. Enter Kelly Charles, the erstwhile coupon queen of TLC's Extreme Couponing , who turned her penny-pinching prowess into a thriving empire as the CEO of Big Mattress Outlet. In this witty and engaging episode, Kell...

Ever had a shopping experience that felt more like a plot from a horror movie? Today’s episode takes "Nightmare on Elm Street" to a whole new level—except this time, it's all about the quest for the perfect mattress. Buckle up as Bob Phibbs, aka The Retail Doctor, shares his spine-tingling tale from the retail front lines. In an episode that's anything but a snooze fest, Bob Phibbs, our fearless g...

In a strategic pivot that reads like a well-crafted narrative, Mark Kinsley, after a rewarding five years at the helm of Englander, is embarking on a new chapter. Rather than a quiet exit, he’s transitioning with purpose, launching full throttle into The FAM community. This move coincides with Englander gearing up for a significant expansion phase, signaling a period of dynamic growth for the comp...

"Shaking Up Sleep: A Deep Dive into the Vegas Market with Brandon Bain" In this episode of the podcast, the conversation turns to the vibrant yet challenging atmosphere of the Vegas Market, featuring the insights of Brandon Bain, Founder and CEO of Bedhead Mareting. As an innovator and community builder in the realm of sleep, Bain offers a comprehensive overview of the event's dynamics, from the e...

Major mattress industry shakeups are afoot!! This week on the show, retail wizard Brandon Hufstetler breaks down the implications of the recent Mattress Firm and TSI merger and shares strategies for retailers to thrive amidst the turmoil. The merger consolidates two mattress retail powerhouses, signaling a new era. What does this deal mean for other industry players? Brandon suggests a "wait and s...

Saddle up, retailers - the Retail Doctor is making a house call to diagnose your learning and training gaps! In this episode, Bob Phibbs sneaks in like Nancy Drew to investigate the mysteries plaguing your sales. Through his retail revelations, you'll learn the prescription for training and coaching your employees. Take two tidbits and call Bob in the morning if you still have poor customer servic...

Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride with leadership guru Brett Thornton, whose book Charged Leadership will jolt your business awake. This high-voltage author doesn't just discuss leadership - he zaps it with an electric current that will leave you buzzing. He crackles with insights on connecting with modern staff and customers alike. Thornton doesn't just write about adapting to new generatio...

Wow! What a year it has been! In this episode, Mark Kinsley takes time to reflect on the past year and express gratitude for the incredible guests and events that have shaped the mattress industry community. He highlights the success of Dream Camp and Sleep Summit, two of the year’s premier events, and announces exciting things to come. Mark also celebrates Englander’s impressive 130 year annivers...

....And it's a wrap!! 2023 is coming to a close and so is the first year of the Sleep Summit Show! We're recapping hottakes from all of our favorite episodes and we're reconnecting with Greg Law, Kyle Deets, Seth Goldberg, Paul Longman, James Perez and many, many more! 2023 has been a whirlwind year for The FAM with the second annual Dream Camp in Key West Florida and the launch of the industry's...

The Taliban surrounded Chuck Ritter’s unit and shot him three times. He lived to tell the tale — and redeployed back to Afghanistan. In this episode, decorated veteran Chuck Ritter sat down for a fascinating conversation sharing lessons learned over his 25-year career in Army Special Forces. Ritter highlighted the intense 2013 combat experience that resulted in him getting shot three times while r...

The dream of AI mattresses that rock you to sleep. Rex Harris is the chief product officer at Bryte, a company creating restorative sleep technology using leading edge science. Now, Bryte is taking their mattress and including features of advanced AI and generative capabilities like Sleep Concierge , to provide tailored sleep advice and adjusts mattress comfort in real time. In this episode, Harri...

Get Intentional and energized for 2024! Mark Kinsley, host of The Sleep Summit Show, goes solo in this week's episode shares some incredibly valuable insights to help you get intentional and energized as you wrap up 2023 and look ahead to the new year. So where do you start? First, break down your business planning into three key buckets: goals, strategies, and tactics. Clearly define your quantif...

Sleep doesn't have to be elusive - a women's sleep expert reveals ways to help you get the best night's rest ever! In this episode, Dr. Valerie Cacho joins Kinsley to discuss clinical hypnotherapy, the importance of sleep hygiene and signs of sleep apnea in women! Dr. Val is an integrative sleep medicine physician and women's sleep expert who founded Sleephoria to help midlife women struggling wit...

Struggling to stand out in the mattress industry? Darren Sparks, president of BedTech, shares his playbook for success in this episode of The Sleep Summit Show. Mark Kinsley, sat down with guest Darren Sparks, president of BedTech, to discuss the bedding industry and keys to success in retail mattress sales. Darren spoke about the importance of customer service, providing value to the customer, an...