The Beard Behind the Buyout: How a 37-Year-Old ‘Unicorn’ Tripled His Sleep Business—And Unlocked a Secret Vintage Treasure Trove
Manage episode 495653831 series 3131026
How did a 37-year-old mattress mogul turn a forgotten furniture store—with NO computer—into a thriving, triple-location empire? The secret’s inside.
What happens when a top mattress retailer gets bored? If you’re Keith Moneymaker—the “Unicorn with a Beard”—you buy out a local furniture store with a legendary legacy…and discover a hidden warehouse packed with vintage gems, untouched since the 90s. In this episode, Mark Kinsley digs in with Keith on how he’s defied industry odds, tripled his business in a year, and created a “treasure hunt” outlet that’s become the talk of Pinehurst, North Carolina.
If you’ve ever wondered why so many mattress stores close up shop—or how to actually thrive in a tough market—Keith’s story is a masterclass. You’ll hear how investing in community (not just inventory) creates unstoppable loyalty, why keeping competitors close is his secret weapon, and how a $0 marketing hack drove 36,000+ views and doubled his IG following with real, local customers.
PLUS: The wild risks, the family legacy, the “Dreams for All” nonprofit, and the honest truth about adding furniture to your mattress business. Ready for the real playbook on building a resilient, values-driven sleep empire? Hit play.
Timestamps:
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- 01:00 – The “Unicorn with a Beard” origin story (and why it matters)
- 03:40 – How buying failed mattress stores led to unexpected opportunities
- 07:20 – The overlooked power of community giving (and business growth)
- 10:10 – The tough truth about adding furniture—and why most fail
- 13:30 – The dice roll: Buying a store with no computers or inventory records
- 16:40 – Discovering a hidden warehouse of vintage, high-end furniture
- 18:30 – How a $0 Facebook Reel brought 36,000 views and doubled followers
- 22:10 – The “homesteader” life: Why chickens lead to alpacas (and family wellness)
- 24:00 – The secret to hiring (and keeping) a dream team in retail
- 27:00 – Social proof: The wanted poster, Rebels of Rest, and community love
Connect with The FAM Podcast:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fam-mattress/
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forallthingsmattress
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forallthingsmattress/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefamnews
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4wvSqPZaxehCSmwRpByLi4
🍎 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fam-podcast-with-mark-kinsley/id1452601818
326 episodes