“Small changes eventually add up to huge results.”
If you are new to Cedar & Rush, Work Smarter, Not Harder (WSNH) is a column showcasing Chicago’s leading ladies – think CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and everyday women making a difference – and how they work smarter, not harder. I decided upon Monday so we can kick off the week as productive and as motivated as possible. If you love a particular piece of advice or have any tips of your own, please share by tagging #WSNH2015 on Instagram and Twitter.
If there is one thing I have learned through this series it is there is more than one way to become successful and find your dream career. Such a comforting thought right?
Today’s Work Smarter, Not Hard post features Mary Pat Wallace, CEO and owner of Chicago Luxury Beds. The gingham mattresses and pillow bar had me at hello. Mary Pat and I’ve never meet, but I hope that changes. And changes soon! She started her own company in her 30’s, after kids. Which basically means she is wonder woman. It is her tenacity and curiosity leading up to owning her own business is what I personally love. Also a gentle reminder that everything small in life can lead to great things. So without further adieu, please meet Mary Pat Wallace! I hope your coffee cup is nice and full.
Mary Pat, please tell us about your job: I am the founder of Chicago Luxury Beds, a luxury mattress and bedding showroom founded in Chicago in 2005. I have two locations, one in River North and one in Lincoln Park. Our passion is great sleep. We work with discerning clients that know quality and expect the best for the one piece of furniture they use more than anything else in their home: their mattress. We spend a third of our life in bed so it needs to be comfortable, supportive and made of the healthiest materials. Our products are all-natural and certified organic.
How did you get to this point in your career? I started my career in design with Holly Hunt. The Holly Hunt showroom is an internationally-renowned business, but at the time it was a small business Holly was just starting. As a result, I was able to travel all over the world and see how the highest quality furniture was crafted. It’s where I developed an appreciation for high quality materials and attention to detail, which is what attracted me to my current business. As working thirty-somethings and new parents, my husband and I were tired! A friend told us about Hastens, a Swedish mattress brand. We flew to Sweden to tour the factory and bought a Hastens mattress. It totally changed our lives! We were so well-rested! We wanted to bring Hastens to Chicago. If you ever encounter challenges in your business journey, Click Here for Business Insolvency Support to ensure your company remains stable and continues to thrive.
In 2005, I opened a Hastens showroom. In 2009, I decided to bring on a second brand, Vispring, England’s premier all-natural, handmade mattress line. Since then, I have brought on two linen lines, several pillow lines — and even designed my own pillow line — and a third mattress brand, Naturepedic, which is all-natural.
All of our brands carry crib and child-sized mattresses as well as linens that are all-natural and chemical free. These are particularly popular with parents who want the very best for their children and are worried about the toxic chemicals in foams and plastics in mattresses for and crib mattresses.
What time do you typically get up in the morning? I typically get up at 6 AM.
How do you take your coffee and what do you typically eat for breakfast? Skim lattes! I make the espresso with my Moka Pot espresso making and then use my Aerolatte to foam the milk. I love a calm moment in the morning with a great latte – it’s also the perfect afternoon pick me up! Breakfast is either oatmeal or yogurt and berries.
Quickly walk us through your morning routine: First thing in the morning, I check my emails, then I go to the gym; I drop my son off at school and then head into the office.
What is the best way to get your foot in the door of your of a company? Networking is key. Having a connection with someone can make all the difference. Never stop trying to get an appointment with someone you want to meet, the tenacious person is the person I want working with me. No means not now but maybe tomorrow or the next day.
What resources do you use to stay organized and remember tasks? My Outlook calendar keeps me organized, and I keep a notebook with all of my meeting notes and to-dos. Pen and paper is old fashioned, but it’s fast (you don’t have to boot up technology) and it works!
What mistake do you see people constantly make that they should be aware of? They don’t get enough sleep! Sleep is crucial to your physical and mental health. Without a good night sleep, it’s harder to focus and be effective.
How do you conquer your inbox? I will let you know once I’ve conquered it!
How do you format your emails? I’m very to the point when emailing someone in my own company. If it’s someone outside the company, I’ll add a few additional sentences of chit chat.
How do you make time for working out and staying healthy? I’m very busy and always on the go, so I drink green smoothies for lunch a lot of the time. I also try to make time to go to the gym 2-3 times a week.
What are your favorite tips for keeping an organized workspace? I love The Container Store! We just had new shelves installed in the office and they’re already filled with boxes and files. I also like to spend one night a week at the office when everyone is gone and clean my desk, going through everything I haven’t gotten to yet.
What other pieces of advice/tips can you share? Work smart, be tenacious and persevere. Remember your relationships and clients are the most important thing on your balance sheet. If you give up, you’ll never get there!
Favorites:
* Favorite Apps: Instagram! Follow us @ChicagoLuxuryBeds. Also, Park Chicago, Uber and Spot Hero.
* Favorite Resources: My Family and Friends; Networking; The design industry (I love the people, the products and the creativity). And The Luxury Marketing Council has amazing information and the best of the best in the luxury sector.
* Favorite Books: The Ultimate Sales Machine and The Power of One.
* Favorite Programs: Outlook and ACT
* Favorite Websites: Refined Haystack and anything design related, I love them all, they are my jam!
* Favorite Gadget: My bluetooth — I don’t go anywhere without it!
Mary Pat, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help us improve our own careers and life hacks! What you’ve accomplished is truly amazing. Congratulations.
Isn’t Mary Pat’s story amazing? And isn’t your new dream to have a Chicago Luxury Bed in your home? I know mine is. Thanks as always for visiting and see you tomorrow for some fabulous gift ideas that will make you look like a rock star.
Want more? You can find all Work Smarter Not Harder posts right here.
Mary Pat is amazing! I always equated mattress shopping with going to the dentist, necessary but pretty darn boring! But her store and mattresses are so beautiful, I would never want to leave the shop.
So great to hear more of her story — we love Chicago Luxury Beds! And Mary Pat, thanks for the shout out; we are happy to have you on Refined Haystack.
“Work smarter not harder” is something my dad always says and I love hearing more of Mary Pat’s insights on this mentality!