REMSleep
Sleep. Slumber. Rest. Just thinking of these words makes our insides go ‘aaaaah’ and our shoulders slump down as if we’ve just sat down after a long day.
Proper sleep can be elusive, yet it’s vitally restorative and it’s something most of us lack as we rush through work and life responsibilities. But what if there was a way to find the perfect bed that induced peaceful sleep...
We sat down with Marie Henry of REMSleep - take a read because you’re sure to find the REMSleep story insightful, not only in terms of buying a comfortable and well designed bed online with a free 100 day trial, but also in how the REMBRO bed-in-a box is created.
Can you share a bit of the background story behind REM Sleep - how did you start, when did you start?
We started REMSleep in October 2020 to change the way we buy beds. Our aim is to eliminate the frustration and confusion that people usually experience when buying a mattress by exclusively trading online. In doing so, we are able to avoid the high mark-ups and commission structures involved in selling through third party retailers. We supply our customers directly so that they can experience premium quality mattresses without having to pay the excessive prices seen in store.
Give us some insight into why you started REM Sleep?
The 3 of us are at the age where we are working our way up in the world. During lockdown some of us looked to scale down to smaller places, and upon moving in we found some issues surrounding one of the most important things in the house, the mattress.
When starting the search for a bed, we didn't know where to start. Salesmen would ask us what firmness we liked in a bed, if we preferred springs or foam, if we wanted memory foam... it was so overwhelming to see the amount of beds that are out there.
How am I supposed to know what bed I want just by lying on it for a few minutes in a showroom? This is when we came up with the idea of the 100 night risk free sleep trial. The quality of and the research behind our mattress is so good that we are confident that our customers will love it. And if they don't, they can send it back free of charge. No more showrooms, no more salesmen, no more awkwardly lying on thousands of beds.
Besides all that, moving a mattress into an apartment is the opposite of easy. The weight and bulk is awkward to handle in an elevator (if it fits into one) and so hard to get through doors. Whether you're moving into a house or a flat, a mattress is the worst to move!
This is when we started tackling the idea of a bed in a box. We have seen it all over Europe but never really appreciated the convenience of having a bed rolled up. It's a thousand times easier to transport!
As a bonus, by transporting smaller items and bypassing the middlemen, we realised we were able to sell top of the range beds at much more affordable prices. There are no salesmen to pay, no massive transport trucks required and no additional mark-ups to be added. It was a no-brainer to us to begin this journey.
What makes the REMBO mattress so special, allowing a good night’s rest?
The REMBO has been designed by seasoned professionals in the foaming industry. We have used top quality foam in all 5 layers of the mattress and have used a special cutting machine to cut zones into the mattress. These zones make such a difference to your comfort. If you think about it, no area of your body is structured or weighs the same as another part of your body. This means that each body area requires different support. That is why we created the zones, to provide optimal support to the different areas of the body.
In profile cutting each layer of the mattress we are also able to improve airflow through the bed. A healthy sleep environment is so important to our health, so by allowing this kind of temperature control we are preventing night sweats and thus improving sleep hygiene.
Each side of the REMBO has a different firmness level. The experience of our design team gave us insight into what firmness the majority of South Africans enjoy. We were then able to create two sides of the most popular firmness levels, thereby refining your choice to two comfort preferences of which at least one side you will prefer.
Another unique aspect of the REMBO is our mattress cover design. So far, we are the only mattress brand in South Africa that has the infinity waterfall edging, where the sides of our mattresses are curved, with no tape edging. We also have a 500 gram knit cover which has such a luxurious feel to it.
Our 100 night risk free trial is what really sets us apart from the brick and mortar stores. By allowing you to buy a mattress and try it in the peace and quiet of your own home, we are giving you the freedom to choose your own comfort preference over an extended period of time so that you can make sure the REMBO is the mattress for you.
Your brand is Proudly South African. Tell us a bit about your team, or are you a one woman show? Where are you based in SA? How many people are involved in REM Sleep and the running of it?
We are based in Somerset West, running from my garage at the moment. There are 3 of us involved: Luke Johnston and I are the official directors of REMSleep, and we have a third silent investor. I run most of the business operations including marketing, logistics, sales and customer service.
What is the most exciting thing about owning your own business?
There are many exciting things about owning your own business. The best part for me is that I can ensure that I give back. Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be able to give back to South Africa and her people. When we started this business, my two business partners had the same vision: they wanted to help South Africa reach her full potential in any way possible. Knowing and ensuring that we are giving back what we can has been a big driving factor to the company. From day one we sat down and discussed how we could give back. Every meeting we have had has always mentioned how we can give back more and when we can implement our next giving back campaign. This is my favourite part of being involved in REMSleep. I am excited to help others.
Another, obvious factor is how awesome it is to be able to do what you love. I love sleep, and I've now made it my career. I'm excited to change people's opinions of bed buying, excited by the challenge of showing people just how important a mattress is in your life. Friends that have slept on the REMBO now finally understand what a good night's sleep feels like and what it does for your wellbeing. Seeing how they react to sleeping on the REMBO for the first time is so exciting; to see our product come to life is so exciting; to see hard work pay off is exciting.
Can you tell us about some of the obstacles you have faced as a small business owner?
All start-ups have their obstacles, especially those that started during the pandemic. Starting a mattress business required a lot of capital and the risk involved was tremendous. Taking on such responsibility was huge for me.
Investing in a mattress like the REMBO is life changing, but it is seen as such an invisible cost. People are so ready to spend money on the newest and best cellphone, the biggest and smartest TV and the current fashion trends, but they are so hesitant when it comes to spending money on what lies at the core of human life: sleep.
How do you overcome those obstacles?
Overcoming these obstacles is difficult, and I am constantly learning how to deal with everything as it comes. I have an incredible support structure and being able to lean on my partners for assistance and advice has been critical in the first few months of REMSleep. Remaining positive while being realistic is a balance I am still working on, but it is something that all business owners need to grasp. We have had our setbacks which were incredibly disheartening and stressful but we believe in our product and we know it will be a success.
What are the core values/beliefs that keep you and your business going?
We believe in the importance of remaining as transparent as possible with customers and we aim to always stick to this. We want to avoid any and all communication blocks between us and our customers. We also value all our feedback and aim to take every suggestion into consideration.
Another aspect that is central to our ethos is giving back. We hold South Africa very close to our hearts and want to continue to give back to her people throughout this journey.
Your business is online - how has social media and the growth of digital help you expand the business?
Social media and digital platforms have helped create awareness and get the word out about our mattresses, but because the bed-in-a-box concept is still so new to South Africa, it’s difficult to translate the full message across social media.
The majority of our target market still looks in store for new beds because they aren't familiar with how easy and risk free buying a mattress through us is. With our 100 night risk free trial, we give our customers plenty of time to choose their comfort preference in their own homes instead of noisy stores.
Tell us more about REMDrops and how this ties into your business ethos?
Sleep is one of the most important aspects of any person’s life. A good night’s sleep can often be the difference between the success and the failure of many parts of a person’s life.
As a result, we decided to give back as much as we can, for as long as we can, to as many people as we can. In an effort to provide quality sleep to the people of South Africa, we have committed ourselves to donating one mattress for every REMBO purchased. There are so many South Africans that sleep on the floor, on a bench or on sidewalks. We want to help change this. These mattresses will be distributed to REMDrop shelters and affiliated charities across the country. There is no other mattress company that runs a one-for-one campaign like we do, and it’s helped us give back to our country, which is at the core of REMSleep.
Any words of wisdom for those looking to start a local business?
Don't let the world intimidate you. If you believe in your product, it will be a success. But don't be fooled either, there is a lot more to starting a business than you think. Be strong, but realistic. Be forward thinking while remaining current. And remember to take time for yourself - if you are not happy and healthy, there will be consequences. Remember to breathe, and never shy away from asking for assistance. You are brave for embarking on this journey, hold that courage close - you'll need it.
And finally, we love discovering and supporting small local businesses. Can you share 2-3 small local businesses that you love, perhaps one’s we haven’t yet discovered?
Zimitambo_SA (my other start up!)
Honey Custom Apparel (amazing cycling gear)
The REMBO is easy to buy, easy to try and designed by professionals who understand what a perfect night’s rest actually is… we’re ready and here for it! Order your very own REMBO bed-in-a-box on the REMSleep website here: https://rem-sleep.co.za/
