It is with a mixture of curiosity and fascination that I connect to Skype to chat with Carl Provencher, partner and development director of Fleep mattresses inc. I discovered a passionate and creative experienced entrepreneur. In addition, I learned more about this Quebec company that offers a 100% Canadian boxed mattress delivered directly to the customer! The proposed business model is inspiring and blends perfectly with the reality of online commerce.
Manufacturer, more than a dream, a desire
“Working in the service industry for 30 years, we had a strong desire to become manufacturers,” says Carl, outlining the history of Fleep. Prior to the creation of Fleep, Carl was a partner at Absolu, a network of communications agencies that has been working for 30 years in offering services adapted to the needs of their clients (advertising, branding, design, web, etc.). They support their clients in the marketing and commercialization of their products and services. With the objective of maximizing all of their skills and taking advantage of the results of the efforts invested, the partners of Absolu begin to survey their manufacturing clients with the intention of creating a marketable product online. It was with the company ZedBed of Shawinigan, which specializes in the manufacture of mattresses, that the collaboration took shape and that they created, in 2014, Fleep inc.
The team is inspired by other mattress manufacturers, in order to see how to differentiate themselves and be able to offer an alternative to the current sales network. Fleep inc. wants to develop a product that will meet the needs of as many sleepers as possible. They decide to design a reversible foam mattress with two comforts, that is to say firm on one side and soft on the other. Today, the founders of Absolu are the sole owners of Fleep inc. and they continue to collaborate with the original team in the development and creation of the mattresses. Their expertise in the mattress industry is essential to the company's success.
Head full of projects
In addition to managing Fleep, Carl continues to act as account manager and strategist. He immerses himself in several inspiring models in everyday life. He knows that challenges form the entrepreneur and that "arm juice is mandatory" in order to to achieve success. He is involved in the Groupement des chefs d'entreprise which, according to him, is: “an excellent school since we have the opportunity to discuss real business, both personally and professionally, with other entrepreneurs. The greatest privilege of meeting entrepreneurs every day is that they share with me their challenges, their successes, their strategies, their ideas and their failures. The strength of the environment is not negligible when we want to increase our knowledge and skills”. His time at the École d'Entrepreneurship de Beauce (EEB) is the source of the inspiration for Fleep's business model thanks to a generous sharing of entrepreneurs-coaches and athletes (terms used by the school to designate the coaches and teachers, as well as the students enrolled in the program) met during its two-year course. As mentioned above, these are “seeds sown left and right” that allow two companies to collaborate to create a new entity that offers a product sold online. They thought of everything during the creation of the company in order to allow efficient management and optimize the time invested. After working nearly 60 hours a week for too many years, Carl can say he has found a rhythm that allows him to hold a position with both companies, without neglecting everything else. Having learned the importance of balance, Carl says today that he has achieved a good balance between work and personal life.
Development for the benefit of sleep
Fleep's business model is based on automating the operation of the company through online sales: when a purchase is made, the administration team is informed at the same time as the back office team. factory, which prepares the order and ensures delivery. It is a machine where each person ensures the smooth running. Carl knows that the company is only as strong as its internal team and its partners. Fleep inc. is constantly in a period of research and development in order to add new products to its range: mattresses, comforters and duvets. She is currently working with Canadian designers and the first models of duvets presented at the beginning of October seem promising. The sale of mattresses is almost exclusive to online sales. It is through web marketing that this company seeks to reach its customers. As a physical point of sale, Fleep is present at the Signé Local boutique in square Dix30. Other points of sale are planned for 2019. Carl is studying the possibility of developing partnerships in the United States in order to have a warehouse on site and thus facilitate the reception of the mattresses. This is essential to ensure efficient management of deliveries and returns of goods. Mattresses will continue to be produced here since Quebec design is important to Fleep. This allows, among other things, to maintain high standards. The purchase concept is simple: the customer has 111 nights to verify his satisfaction. Let's say it leaves time to see if the mattress adapts to its reality! The satisfaction rate is very high (4.9/5) and Carl smiles saying that it is very pleasant to read and hear the appreciation of his customers.
" The best is yet to come. »
Carl considers that the Fleep brand is still very young and that every day, customers and partners help it to make itself known. Succeeding in this very competitive industry where the offer is very large remains a challenge. Fleep mattresses are a product to consider when your mattress is at the end of its life or when you really want to sleep well!
For more details on the company, visit its member page .
Reviewed By Melanie
photo credit: Fleep Inc.
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