“What do you dream about? I dream of a world where endless possibilities are realized. “
– Artist Kitty Zen
“When I dream, I think about a sky full of stars and wishing to be among them.”
– Artist Andrew Weatherly
” As night turns into day, dreams can turn into reality ”
– Artist Scott Benner
On April 27th, the team at Leesa Sleep and investors Eric and Jessie James Decker cut the blue ribbon of New York’s first Leesa Dream Gallery. The retail space was filled with investors, A-list supporters such as NFL wide receiver Dale Moss, Grammy winner Bridget Kelly, Actor Constantine Maroulis and a curated group of formerly homeless artists, in partnership with ArtLifting. “It’s giving a sense of home. ArtLifting provides a voice for talented artists and Leesa is providing a sense of comfort. This collaboration is literally bringing a powerful story into your home through their creative design and quality product” shared Dale Moss. The energy was deeply inspirational throughout the night and guests were invited to fully experience the dreams that the gallery opening was enabling.
“For a dream gallery it had to be a place where dreams come true. For me, that’s America, it’s NYC and right now it’s Soho” David Wolfe, CEO. “Nowhere else in then U.S. has the same vibe right now. People in Soho are looking for new ideas, they are looking at art, they care about people. And that’s us.”
At the core, Leesa is a direct-to-consumer online luxury mattress company offering 100 percent American-made mattresses delivered directly to consumer’s doors. In just over a year of business, they have been named the fastest growing e-retailers according to Internet Retailers 2016 Top 500 Guide, however from inception they have measured success not just by the bottom line, but also by the company’s overall social impact. Their mission is to bring all people a better way to sleep and a pathway to a better life.
Fun Fact: People spend about 1/3 of their lives sleeping. If we want to live healthier lives we cannot underestimate the power of good sleep. Sleep is a multiplier to our wellness efforts. With a powerful multi-prong approach here’s how Leesa may just prove that retailers can empower change and make a sustainable impact in partnership with consumers:
One-for-Ten, One-Earth
The Leesa One-Ten program donates one mattress to a shelter for every ten they sell. To date Leesa has donated more than 5,000 mattresses to people who would otherwise not have a place to sleep. Because they understand and value sustainability they have also partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant one million trees by 2025. In 2015, they planted 32,000 trees in the CO Pike National Forest and in 2016 they will plant 50,000 trees.
Retail as an experiential gallery exhibit
With the launch of the first-ever Leesa Dream Gallery their mission of making sustainable change has gone even deeper through their partnership with Artlifting, an online art marketplace for homeless, disabled and other disadvantaged artists to sell their artwork. “This opening is completely life changing. Our goal is treating artists with the respect they deserve and this gallery is the highest level you could imagine.” Liz Powers, co-founder of ArtLifting. “It’s important to uplift people, you impact their lives in a powerful way” says investor Eric Decker. “As stated in tonight’s video “people are sometimes invisible to others, but have so many talents, Leesa is not only selling a great product they are creating a platform for real change.”
Artists create art in shelter and disability center art programs through ArtLifting and earn 55% of the royalties from each sale. “I walked in and saw my art and then I was told I already sold a piece, I was shocked.” Artist Ruben Lopez.
100% American Made
By sourcing materials 100% in the US, Leesa is contributing to local job creation and economic stability.
“Everyone has a dream, what’s your?” Stop by the Leesa Dream Gallery, lay back and dream on a Leesa mattress while viewing the breathtaking works of art created by the dreams of homeless, formerly homeless and disabled artists. Artists feel empowered, customers feel inspired, and the world may just become a better place!
**Disclosure: The Lionesque Group ran production for the opening of the Leesa Mattress Gallery, however the thoughts and viewpoints are genuine and my own.
