Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your biz is all about, in which city you are located.
Ans: Mark’s Mattress Direct is a full service sleep shop in Grand Rapids, MI. We specialize in giving our guests the right mattress for their needs. Whether that means a value-priced set for a spare bedroom or a luxury mattress that will give you the best night’s sleep possible, we can do it. We have been in business for 13 years and have served thousands of happy customers. We carry brands like Serta, Simmons Bueatyrest, Englander and Corsicana. Whatever you mattress needs may be, we can meet them.
Q 2. Give us a brief description of yourself
Ans: My name is Mark Betteridge and I am the owner and operator of Mark’s Mattress Direct. I have a bachelor’s degress in Marketing and Sales from Grand Valley State University. For the last 25 years I have been in sales and sales management. While working for large corporations can be rewarding, it can also be frustrating. Going out on my own to be my own boss and treat customers like she should be treated was the main reason I started this company. We treat every person that comes through the door as I would expect to be treated. There are no high-pressure sales tactics and if you ask us for a specific item, that’s what we will show you. We have a high percentage of repeat and referral customers from our many happy sleepers over the many years here at this Northeast Grand Rapids, MI location.
Q 3. What inspired you to start your new business?
Ans: I was inspired to start my business by a friend who was a mattress sales rep for one of our current suppliers. He encouraged me to open my own store and take the leap of faith. Having lots of sales experience but no furniture or mattress sales experience, it was completely new for me. I also didn’t have a lot of retail experience. But at the end of the day, I wanted to get away from corporate America and the ways many companies treat their customers and employees. We here at Mark’s Mattress Direct have tons of great reviews because we really do care about every person we work with. We want to deliver what we promise and make sure you’re happy with the mattress that you choose. We are a small, independent sleep shop that can be very nimble when it comes to servicing the needs of our customers. Whether that is a quick delivery or a weekend delivery or a late night drop, we can find a way to meet your needs.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: If you’re a young or new entrepreneur, there are a few things I would tell you. First, do what you enjoy. If you’re selling a product or service that you don’t whole-heartedly believe in, you’re in the wrong business. Also, don’t be afraid to say no. There are tons of ways to spend money in a new business and there are no shortage of companies trying to sell you products or services that you may or may not need. One of the biggest pieces to success in business is limiting your expenses. Just say no when you’re not sure. Lastly, don’t be afraid of hard work. When starting a new business you have to be ok with working 6 or 7 days a week and sometimes 12 hour days. Very few new businesses don’t take a lot of work. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
Q 5. What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Some of the most-needed skills to be successful in business and in life are these. First and completely at the top of the list is your attitude. It has been said that attitude will determine 90% of your success in life. You have to enjoy what you do and enjoy interacting with your customers and partners. Keeping a great attitude will help things go smoother. Next, keep your word. Do what you say you’re going to do. Nobody likes to have meetings or plans canceled. Make a plan and stick to the plan. People will grow to appreciate that consistency and reliability. Lastly, figure out who you customer is and what they want and deliver it to them. Knowing your audience is key.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: Working hard is a big part of success. I work an average of 10 hours a day.
To what do you most attribute your success.
Being unafraid to fail is what has contributed most to my success. I have failed a few times at different ventures and have been forced to fold up and start over. You can’t be a successful entrepreneur if you are afraid of failure. Failing is part of the process to winning. Very few people in this world have succeeded at every step of their life journey.
Q 7. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: My favorite form of marketing is anything related to the internet and search. From pay-per-click ads on Google to organic search to other social media forms like Facebook and Instagram are the best for my business.
Q 8. Where did your organizations funding come from?
Ans: My mattress company did not require a massive investment to get the company started. I did not need to borrow any money to start. I had some savings and used that to start the company.
Q 9. What is the best way to achieve long term success?
Ans: Long-term success comes from hard work, perseverance and believing in yourself. If you don’t have these things, you likely won’t be very successful in life or in any business.
Q 10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Ans: I hope to have this business open for the remainder of my life. It has been very rewarding and good to me and I have built relationships with hundreds of local people in my community. My goal is to continue to serve the local community with great deals and great service for many decades to come.
Q 11. Excluding yours, what company of business do you admire the most?
Ans: There are many businesses that I look at and admire. Both Amazon and Apple are two who are very customer focused and have won, at the end of the day, by building a product and service that works, and focusing on the customer first. Give the customer what they want and do it well.
Q 12. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Having great employees is critical to your success. You can’t do it all yourself. Even in a very small business like mine, you have to rely on others to handle things. Without a great team, you will struggle.
Q 13. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: I typically believe in an idea as long as it works. If the idea doesn’t work, we move on.
Q 14. What motivates you?
Ans: I am motivated by keeping a good name and having people know that I’m an honest, reliable business and person. I do what I say and say what I do. If you continue that way in life, you will have success in your personal and business life.
Q 15. What your ideals?
Ans: The most important ideals to have in life, in my opinion, are honestly and reliability and keeping your word. Building and keeping a good character that will endure for your lifetime is invaluable. When people know that you can be counted on, life is better.
Q 16. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: Generating new ideas in business and in life come from being a good listener and paying attention to what’s going on around you. Inspiration can come from anywhere. It could be a good book or a TV show or something on the news.
Q 17. How do you define success?
Ans: For me success is defined as having lots of good friends and family that love you and can count on you to be there for them no matter what. At the end of the day, no matter how much financial success you attain, if you don’t have good relationships in your life, you have not succeeded.
Q 18. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Building a good customer base comes from treating each transaction like it’s the most important one. Whether it’s a $50 sale or a $5000 sale, you treat them the same. There is no other way.
Q 19. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: My favorite part of being a self-employed entrepreneur is being my own boss and not having to be told how we are going to handle any sticky situation. Being able to make the call myself as to how we deal with any situation is a good feeling.
Q 20. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: The most satisfying moment in business is not really a moment but a realization that I have been a successful business for over a decade and continue to serve the needs of friends and neighbors who are in my community.
Q 21. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneuirs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Being a self-employed entrepreneur is not for everyone. You can’t be afraid of the phone ringing. You have to be “on call” and available at almost all times. Some people don’t want the commitment it takes to be available 7 days a week. Self-employment is not for everyone but I really enjoy it.
Q 22. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type?
Ans: The culture at Mark’s Mattress Direct is one of open communication and a laid back atmosphere. We try not to stress about too many things and keep it easy going and fun. Again, attitude will determine 90% of your success in life. Keeping a good attitude is key.
Q 23. In a word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: If I had to use one word to characterize my life as an entrepreneur it would be, Rewarding.
Company Detail:
Company : Mark’s Mattress Direct
Address : 5428 Northland Dr NE
City : Grand Rapids
State : MI
Zip : 49525
Country : USA
Phone : 616-363-1100
Email : marksmattressdirect@gmail.com