About Us
Mattress World Inc. sold its first mattress on January 18, 1996. I would have loved to save the first dollar and have it framed on the wall. Unfortunately I couldn’t afford it. I was crazy enough to open five stores with only enough money to make it through the first week. We lost so much money month after month that words can’t begin to describe the luck and determination it took to make it work.
Four foreclosures, car repossessions, asking my brother for food, and even convincing my children that we didn’t want heat because it was more fun to camp out in front of the fireplace were all things that made us realize what is truly important in life. But it was the last foreclosure that was the turning point in our lives. I didn’t want Jon to know because I was afraid it would give him a heart attack, so I told everyone I was tired of having the same old stuff and that we needed to sell it all. He knew something was up and wouldn’t give up a thing until the last day of the garage sale when he drove up with his brand new Warn winch and told me "I don't know what is happening but I believe in you. So here is my winch and all I ask is that you let us start advertising again. I can’t take any more of this." That winch became the defining moment for Mattress World Inc.
Through it all my mission has never changed: The Mattress world family is a part of the community. It is a place where people want to work and people want to buy. We will provide our customers with an experience that will exceed their expectations. Our Employees will take ownership of every customer, meeting all their mattress needs, because we are considered the experts in the bedding industry, because our customers "sleep like a baby".
The one thing that I realized from the last 10 years is that success is not a destination; it is a journey that never ends. Our success is not measured by the corporate growth of Mattress World Inc. but by the excitement and joy of each person reaching their personal goals; whether it is a new home, a car, getting out of debt, being drug free, or spending time with their family. One of the most meaningful successes for me at Mattress World was being able to see a high school drop-out turn her life around and graduate with her class.
When thinking back on what it took for us to get here I am humbled by the support of everyone that has been a part of the process. This includes vendors, banks, media, friends, coworkers past and present, and above all the encouragement we have received from our customers. The most important thing that I want to convey about Mattress World Inc. is it would never have existed without the contributions of everyone that believed in us and our mission. You all know who you are. Thank you for everything.
- Sherri Hiner