Mattress Firm Co-Founder on Shocking Origin of 'Hybrid Mattress'- 1 Word Changed a Billion+ Industry
Did you know the term “hybrid mattress” didn’t exist until one bold idea sparked a $100M+ industry shift? Here’s the wild story.
Ever wondered who invented the “hybrid mattress”—and why it matters for your health and business? This episode reveals how Mark Kinsley, industry disruptor and host of The FAM Podcast, helped redefine the way the world sleeps. From humble beginnings as a late-night DJ to leading billion-dollar brands, Kinsley shares stories about surviving the Joplin tornado, creating viral marketing campaigns (with elephants!), and how he turned a simple podcast into a thriving community and the must-attend Sleep Summit.
If you’ve ever struggled to stand out in a sea of sameness, felt overwhelmed by industry consolidation, or questioned whether your mattress actually supports your health, this conversation is your playbook. Kinsley drops actionable wisdom for sleep professionals, retailers, and anyone obsessed with better sleep: from engineering memorable customer “transitions” to harnessing AI in your business.
Plus, hear the untold story behind the term “hybrid,” why kindness and honor are non-negotiable in leadership, and why community—not competition—will define the next era of the sleep industry. Ready to transform your approach to sleep science, business, and personal growth? Hit play.
Timestamps:
- 00:53 – The surprising story behind 650+ episodes and a 25-year commitment
- 05:30 – Why “hybrid” mattresses didn’t exist (and how one campaign changed everything)
- 11:57 – The $100M secret: How content atomization turned a word into a movement
- 16:10 – What it’s like leading at Leggett & Platt and Englander
- 19:40 – The life-changing lessons from a tornado (and a mattress career pivot)
- 23:01 – Mattress buying: Why the real emotion is fear, not excitement
- 32:55 – How The FAM grew from podcast to community to Sleep Summit
- 38:03 – The “secret sauce” of creating unforgettable transitions (and customer delight)
- 52:54 – AI for mattress professionals: What you need to know NOW
- 1:03:25 – The industry’s biggest challenge no one is talking about
Connect with The FAM Podcast:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fam-mattress/
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forallthingsmattress
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forallthingsmattress/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefamnews
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4wvSqPZaxehCSmwRpByLi4
🍎 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fam-podcast-with-mark-kinsley/id1452601818
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