Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marc Werner, founder and CEO of Venus Williams Collection by GhostBed, located in Plantation, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
GhostBed is our direct-to-consumer mattress brand that offers a range of mattresses, including the flagship original GhostBed Classic mattress, as well as pillows, bedding, and other sleep-related products that I've invented and patented over my 20-plus-year journey. I was one of the first mattress-in-a-box brands, and my original GhostBed Classic mattress is made with a combination of memory foam and cooling latex foam, which are designed to provide comfort and support at a very affordable price.
Nature's Sleep, on the other hand, was how I originally started as a wholesale mattress brand back in 2001 that offers a range of mattresses, pillows, and other sleep-related products to retailers. Now we sell online direct at NaturesSleep.com. My mattresses are made with a variety of materials, including memory foam, gel-infused foam, and other types of high-quality foam that are made in the United States and Canada.
Most recently, we added the Venus Williams Collection by GhostBed, as a collaboration between GhostBed and tennis superstar Venus Williams. The collection includes several mattresses in hybrid or memory foam with the Venus Williams Legend for D2C and several additional models for retail partners at GhostBedRetail.com. Each mattress is designed with a specific type of sleeper in mind, and all are made with high-quality materials and a special "Venus layer" info-red technology.
The Venus Williams Collection is unique in that it combines the technology of GhostBed with the expertise and style design of Venus Williams. The mattresses are designed to provide the ideal sleep experience for athletes and anyone who values a good night's sleep. With this collaboration, GhostBed and Venus Williams have created a brand that is focused on helping people achieve the best sleep possible.
The customers who purchase a mattress from GhostBed can vary greatly depending on their needs and preferences based on different life stages:
- College graduates - Many college graduates are moving into their first apartments or homes. They may be looking for a mattress that is affordable and not a pass-me-down. A mattress in a box can be a great option for college graduates as it typically comes at an affordable price and can be delivered directly to their new home.
- Newly married couples - For newly married couples, a mattress can be a big investment that they want to make together. They may be looking for a mattress that provides the right amount of support and comfort for both partners and that will last for many years. We now see sleep wellness as part of a wedding couples registry wish list.
- Couples needing a split king mattress and adjustable bed frame - For couples who have different sleep preferences, a split king mattress and adjustable bed frame are very popular. This allows each partner to adjust their side of the bed to their own preference, providing a more comfortable and personalized sleep experience.
Personally, I read every review and see a whole wide range of customers, from college graduates to newlyweds to couples with specific sleep preferences. We are truly grateful to the customers that want to support the family business with the high-quality USA and Canada-made mattresses that we make for a restful night's sleep.
Tell us about yourself
Well, on Twitter, I say I'm a Husband-Dad-Grandfather-Brother-Son-Friend Dog Lover-Golfer-Fisherman-tennis player Media-Technology-Cooking-Business Man-Always A Nice Guy.
However, my official title is founder and CEO of GhostBed. Personally, I'm an engineer and inventor that leads with a passion for creating high-quality products. I grew up working in the family business, and the experience taught me the importance of innovation, quality, and customer service.
Today, GhostBed has become a popular choice for consumers looking for a comfortable and affordable mattress that I'm very proud of to continue my 100-year-old family business legacy.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a proud family business owner of an e-commerce mattress business, I am honored to have achieved the incredible milestone of reading over 60,000 5-star reviews from customers who appreciate my sleep wellness inventions. This accomplishment has been a source of immense pride for my family and me.
We strive to provide the best quality products and services to our customers, and it's gratifying to see that our efforts are paying off in the form of satisfied customers who can rest well thanks to my last 20 years of inventions. It's this commitment to customer satisfaction that drives us forward and helps us continue innovating to ensure that everyone gets a good night's sleep.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being a family business owner can be both rewarding and challenging. As the business grows, it can become increasingly difficult to keep up with the demands of running a successful business. One of the most difficult challenges is managing my work-life balance to spend time with my family and grandkids. However, I've always worked 80 hours a week, and at age 65, I have no plans on stopping. Still, sometimes it can be hard to separate work from personal life.
In order to overcome this challenge, family business owners must make sure that they have clear boundaries between their work and personal lives, as well as create an effective management structure that allows them to delegate tasks and responsibilities appropriately. Additionally, they should strive to create a culture of trust within their organization so that employees feel empowered to take on more responsibility without fear of repercussions. With these strategies in place, family businesses can ensure that they remain successful while also allowing their owners time for rest and relaxation because every business owner should be getting eight quality hours of well-rested sleep.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Starting, running, and growing a successful business requires a lot of hard work and dedication, especially when it's carrying on a 100-year-old family name legacy.
- Focus on Quality - One of the key factors that can set a business apart from its competitors is the quality of the products. By focusing on delivering high-quality products, businesses can build a strong reputation and establish a loyal customer base. This can lead to positive word-of-mouth recommendations and increased customer loyalty. That's what my grandfather taught me that profits follow quality.
- Innovation - Innovation is critical to the success of any business. By staying up to date with the latest trends and customer feedback, businesses can remain relevant and competitive. Innovation can help businesses develop new products or services, improve their processes, and find new ways to connect with their customers.
- Prioritize Customer Service - Customer service is a key factor in building and maintaining strong customer relationships. By providing exceptional customer service, businesses can create a positive reputation and build customer loyalty. This means being responsive to customer inquiries, addressing customer concerns in a timely and professional manner, and going above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.
This is what can help you to build a strong foundation for growth and success by focusing on quality, innovation, and customer service to pass on your family business to the next generation.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.ghostbed.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostbed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostbed/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mlwerner1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marclwerner/
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