The Pete Primeau Show

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Kappenman, an independent bedding component and product developer at SCANFIT.ai and NXTbed Studio. Kevin is a bedding-obsessed professional whose career began in retail sales and evolved into deep expertise in product development, with a focus on innovative bedding components and emerging sleep technologies. He brings a unique blend of market insight and tec...

In this episode, Pete Primeau rings in the New Year with a lively roundtable of friends and familiar voices from the show. Joined by Gordon Hecht, Brent Batterman, RJ Williams, Tim Klanke, Kelly Charles and Scott Vaughn, the conversation covers reflections on the year that was, lessons learned in business and life, and what’s ahead for the year to come. Expect candid insights, thoughtful perspecti...

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Root—an award-winning sales representative who has raised the bar across the furniture industry. Known for continually sharpening his marketing expertise, Mike is endorsed by some of the most elite retailers in the country and widely regarded as an indispensable partner to his dealers. Passionate about lifting up fellow reps and helping retailers grow, he has...

In this episode, Pete welcomes Scott Vaughn, owner of Wingo Coaching, for a special “Ask Scott” conversation focused on real-world challenges faced by store owners. Scott brings his deep expertise in coaching, leadership development, and strategic business operations to answer questions directly from business owners. From building a strong company culture to leading with clarity and purpose, this...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jordan Vaughn, President and CEO of Happy Zzz’s Sit n’ Sleep in Paducah, Kentucky, and Scott Vaughn, owner of Wingo Coaching and owner of Happy Zzz’s Sit n’ Sleep. Jordan shares how, in just five years, he has established himself as a rising leader in building high-performance teams and driving business growth. Scott brings his deep expertise in coaching, leadershi...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jeb Blount, Founder and CEO of Sales Gravy and one of the most influential voices in modern sales. Jeb is the bestselling author of seventeen books—including Fanatical Prospecting, Sales EQ, People Follow You, The AI Edge, and his newest release, The LinkedIn Edge.   With decades of experience advising top global organizations and their executive teams, Jeb breaks...

In this episode, Pete reunites with veteran podcast producer Chris Stone for another candid deep dive into the real, unfiltered questions coming out of the mattress and furniture retail world. Drawing on more than four decades of industry expertise, Pete delivers practical, experience-driven guidance for retailers facing slow sales, personal stress, and the tough decision of whether to push forwar...

In this episode, Pete is joined by industry standouts Brent Batterman, Chris Taheny, and Gordon Hecht for a lively holiday conversation packed with insight and practical takeaways.   Brent Batterman shares how more than two decades in the mattress industry—and innovations like the first finance waterfall system—have helped retailers boost approvals, improve customer experiences, and build stronger...

In this episode,we sit down with Donna Krech — Entrepreneur Extraordinaire, Best-Selling Author, and International Speaker — who has spent over 35 years building and coaching multi-million-dollar businesses in wellness, personal development, and entrepreneurship.   From struggling to feed her child to becoming a global thought leader, Donna’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and purpose. She’s...

In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Rembrandt — award-winning author, copywriter, ghostwriter, speaker, and the original direct response publicist. With decades of experience helping entrepreneurs amplify their message, Melanie has become a trusted voice in the worlds of marketing, PR, and business growth.   Her insights have been featured in leading publications such as Harvard Business Rev...

In this episode, we sit down with Jimmy Hurtado — Founder and President of Returning Smiles, a nonprofit devoted to bringing hope, food, faith, and essential resources to children and families in need both locally and in Ecuador. With 19 years of leadership experience at Sweet Dreams Furniture & Mattress, Jimmy has built a reputation as a purpose-driven operations and marketing strategist who...

In this episode, Pete teams up once again with veteran podcast producer Chris Stone to dive into another round of real, unfiltered questions from the mattress and furniture retail world. Backed by over four decades of industry experience, Pete shares straightforward, experience-driven advice for retailers navigating slow sales, personal pressures, and the tough crossroads of whether to keep pushin...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Brent Batterman, a veteran of the mattress industry with over two decades of experience. Brent has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing sales strategies and launching new products across the industry. He’s widely respected for his leadership in training high-performing sales teams and for introducing the first-ever waterfall system with finance compani...

In this episode, we explore the intricacies of more effective customer engagement with the seasoned Karen Converse. With over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, training, and business management within the retail sector, Karen brings a wealth of expertise to the discussion. As an independent representative, she offers invaluable insights into how education can elevate every aspect of the...

In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Taheny, Vice President of National Accounts and Business Development at Cariloha Inc. — a seasoned sales executive with over fourteen years of experience in the mattress industry. Chris is a record-setting force of nature, known not only for his deep industry expertise but also for his ability to harness social media more effectively than most dedicated agenc...

In this episode, Pete reconnects with renowned podcast producer Chris Stone to tackle raw, unfiltered questions straight from the mattress and furniture retail world. Drawing on more than 40 years of industry wisdom, Pete offers honest, experience-backed advice for retailers facing the pressures of underperforming stores, personal commitments, and the difficult choice between pressing on or callin...

In this episode, Pete teams up once again with top podcast producer Chris Stone to answer real, unfiltered questions from the mattress and furniture retail community. Pete shares candid advice rooted in over four decades of industry experience. He speaks directly to retailers trying to balance underperforming stores with personal commitments—and those wrestling with the tough decision to keep goin...

In this episode, we’re joined by Lee B. Salz, a leading Sales Differentiation Strategist and bestselling author, known for transforming salespeople into high-performing sales forces. As the founder of Sales Architects, Lee helps companies stand out in competitive markets through tailored sales consulting, coaching, and custom sales playbook development. He also delivers dynamic keynote presentatio...

In this episode, we sit down with Fawad Zavary, a 26-year veteran of the furniture industry and a driving force behind Exclusive Furniture’s continued success. Known for his relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, Fawad shares insights into what it takes to create a standout customer experience in today’s competitive market. As both a respected industry leader and a dedicated mentor, he o...

What if the mattress industry's top minds solved your biggest challenge this Friday? 'Win The Weekend With Pete & Friends: Live!' is where mattress moguls reveal their playbook, troubleshoot obstacles, and celebrate victories—all in real-time. Every Friday at 1PM EST, this exclusive mastermind transforms industry rivals into collaborators. Not just another webinar mastermind—it's your competit...

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Grand, Owner of Grand Bedding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana — a family-owned company with an impressive legacy of over 105 years in the mattress-making industry. Founded in 1920 by his great grandfather, Grand Bedding has remained a cornerstone of craftsmanship and innovation for four generations. With more than 40 years of personal experience in the business, S...

The tables are turned as Pete takes the hot seat and answers burning questions from listeners and live chat participants, with Producer Chris Stone stepping in as the host. This episode is packed with industry wisdom, lively audience engagement, and candid stories from Pete's decades-long journey in the mattress world.   Get ready for a masterclass in retail, marketing, and business mindset as Pet...

Pete hands the hosting reins over to his producer, Chris Stone, who fields a variety of questions from both live viewers and dedicated listeners who wrote in ahead of time. Whether you’re a business owner, sales professional, or just looking for a boost in positivity, Pete shares real-life lessons from his decades in sales and retail—including how failure paved the road to his greatest successes,...

In this episode, we sit down with two dynamic leaders shaping the future of the home furnishings industry. Chad Fischer, an experienced Bedding Director with a strong background in management consulting, shares valuable insights into business development, strategic planning, and customer engagement. With a proven track record in sales and retail, Chad dives into the evolving challenges and opportu...

In this episode, we sit down with Gordon S. Hecht, a powerhouse consultant to the home furnishings industry with over 40 years of experience spanning retail, manufacturing, product development, marketing, and multi-store operations. Gordon shares insights from his extensive career, including how to diagnose and repair retail roadblocks, build high-performing teams, and energize communication strat...