Asking your parents or siblings for $2,000 around the dinner table is generally a quick way to start an argument. 

For Alex Kirkwood, Founder and CEO of the Kirkwood Collection, it kick started his family's investment portfolio in boutique, luxury accomdations and he's never looked back. 

In today's episode, Mark Kinsley solo interviews the hotelier investor about:

Deep discounts or finance offers with interest?  Which appeals more to consumers?

Inflation is at the highest rate it has been in more than 40 years and consumers are feeling more than a pinch in their pockets. Surprising to some, including Quinn, when it comes to shoppers, consumers are more likely to purchase based on the financing options available more than the deep discounts one advertises. 

In this episode, Mark Kinsley and Mark Quinn analyze the impact of inflation and how more and more shoppers are turning to credit options as their savings accounts dwindle and their budgets get tighter, and how a credit option actually connects  you with a consumer more than a basic purchase with cash. Plus, they provide powerful conversation pitches to help make the sale relatable to the consumer and their life.

Bashar Wali is a self-proclaimed hotel nerd with major FOMO.

This fear of missing out has created a habit — one that’s turned into an unofficial world record: he doesn’t stay in a hotel for more than one night.

If he’s in New York City for four nights, he’ll stay at a different property every single night.

As a hotelier and road warrior, Bashar has a unique perspective on the sleep environment and has thoughts on how hotels should be thinking about the sleep space.

“I think we as an industry are foolish because we have lost sight of the business we're in. We’re in the business of sleep. We are giving you a good night's sleep. And for my properties and for my team, we have some pillars…and sleep to me, is one of the most important pillars.

And it's the mattress, the sheets, the pillows, the alarm clock, how dark the room gets, how cool the room gets, the noise factor, the sleep button on the TV.”

Bashar is the CEO and Founder of This Assembly and Practice Hospitality.

On this episode, you’ll hear about:

Connect with Bashar!

Have you heard of sleepscursions?

If not, they're exactly what they sound like: an excursion dedicated to sleep. Does it sound made up? Well, it isn't and boutique hotels are taking notice.

In this episode, Mark Kinsley and Mark Quinn discuss research related to boutique hotels: why people choose them over national chains, how important location is to their destination, and the most important, the mattress and pillow quality and what people expect from a niche hotel in terms of sleep comfort.

Are we entitled to call ourselves sleep experts?

Do we know what that entails and if so, are we living up to it?

On today's episode, Kinsley and Quinn discuss an idea from Dream Camp in conjunction with exclusive FAM data on what contributes to a good night's sleep. They dig deep into why people may not trust an RSA when it comes to which mattress will give them the best night's sleep and how we shift the conversation and the way the industry is viewed in order to become the ultimate wellness resource. 

Today's episode is long awaited. For the better part of a decade, Quinn and Kinslsey have dreamed about the concept of a sleep summit. A place where the world changers, the action takers and the best and brightest minds in the furniture, mattress and appliance industry would gather together to share ideas, brainstorm innovative and outside-the-box ideas on how to shake up the industry while vigorously pursuing the same goal: to ensure every human gets a better night's sleep.

Dream Camp 2022 was held October 3rd - 6th, 2022 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Industry veterans and newbies alike, gathered together for three intense days of learning and collaborating, and mountain biking and flying. It was said it was an event like any other that has been held before and today, Kinsley and Quinn recap the event, what's next on the horizon and what you can expect in 2023.

Do you want to offer sustainable solutions to your customers, but don't know where to start? 

On today's episode, Kinsley and Quinn sit down with Kate Caddy, Manager in Sustainability for the International Sleep Products Association and the Mattress Recycling Council, to discuss sustainability as it relates to the upcycle and recyling of old mattresses. She touches on the current legislation that has just passed in Oregon and what retailers need to be aware of on both the front and back end as it relates to mattress sales, collaboration in our industry and how to move the needle forward and the upcoming ISPA Sustainability Conference being held in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 16-17th, 2022 

Plus! Listen in for your chance to win a free ticket to the conference!

In partnership with Snap Finance, The FAM conducted research into the buying habits, expectations and mind of the intended buyer.

What is an "intended buyer?" It is customer in the market place who wants to buy a product or service, but isn't fully ready to commit until thorough research has been completed.

What is the "intender" looking for? Join Mark Quinn and Mark Kinsley as they breakdown the research that answers the questions of where these consumers are shopping, what are they buying and what do they expect from your retail store.

10,000 people per day are turning 65.

This makes the baby boomer generation the largest demographic with disposable income...to the tune of 8 billion dollars. 

On today's episode, Quinn and Kinsley host, Mary Van Orman, Director of Project Strategy for Dawn House, the wellness division of Ergomotion. In this episode, Orman discusses the habits and expectations of this aging generation. Gone are the days of assisted living and nursing homes. This generation is bringing the assisted care amenities into their private homes, starting with sleep products (think: adjustable bases with health monitoring features). Listen or watch as they discuss the mindset of the aging consumer, technological advancements, and ways to incorporate these products into your sales strategy. 

Quit leaving sales on the table. 

On today's episode, Ed Haluska, Chief Commercial Officer for Genesis Credit joins Mark Kinsley and Mark Quinn to discuss the forgotten consumer. In the world of financing, people are segmented into different camps based on their credit scores and often times, consumers with middle tier credit scores are being denied financing options just because life happened. This is area of financing is where Genesis Credit steps in.

Listen in as Ed discusses his background, the passion and mission of Genesis Credit, how consumer behavior is changing in volatile times and how you can quit losing sales due to less than perfect credit scores.