Debbie Gaby
Co-Founder of Sleep America
Debbie Gaby is the
highly recognizable
spokesperson for Valleybased
mattress retailer
Sleep America, but she says
it’s not normally her appearance
that gets her noticed:
More often it is her distinct
Southern accent.
“My voice is more recognizable
than I am,” the Texas
native says. “Sometimes
when I go out people will
recognize me because of all
the advertising that I do, but
if I open my mouth they definitely know
who I am. I can get by until I speak.”
In 1997, Gaby and her husband, Len,
founded Sleep America with just one
location and a determination to change
the way mattresses are sold. Today,
Sleep America is Arizona’s largest mattress
retailer, with 45 stores statewide
and plans for a nationwide launch in
2009.
While Gaby says working for Sleep
America has become her “dream job,”
initially she had little interest in opening
a mattress store.
It was only after she and her husband
created a business plan that involved
being active in the community that Gaby
says she finally changed her mind. These
days, Gaby spends about 80 percent of
her time working with charities, including
one setting Sleep America apart—its
mattress recycling program. To date
the company has recycled over 100,000
mattresses by offering free pick-up and
donation to clients.
“Giving back to the community and
being successful go hand in hand. They
are not mutually exclusive,” Gaby says.
This month the Open Door Policy
crew paid a visit to the south Phoenix
warehouse that houses the administrative
offices and is home to the epicenter
of the growing company. Mrs. Gaby’s
private office is filled with an assortment
of sports memorabilia and dozens
of awards, providing a glimpse into her
creative ambition and unique personality.
By Shanna Hogan
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