In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats with Oliver Bowen all about the premium bed world. Oliver has been in the industry for over 20+, listen as they chat about how he got into the industry, the businesses he worked for and what he has learnt along the way.

00:00 Intro

01:50 How Oliver got into beds

05:50 His time at And So To Bed & why the business changed

11:00 Why looking for the ‘why’ is so important

13:10 Olivers role at Feather & Black

14:19 Working out where the brand should sit in the market

18:24 Moving to Hästens - working in the luxury sector

22:30 Olivers job now working with Carpe Diem

23:50 How Carpe Diem design their beds

25:12 How Carpe Diem started

27:15 Biggest challenge of bringing in a premium supplier into the UK

29:30 Your team on the floor make a huge difference

31:30 What has changed most in the bed industry over the last 20 years

35:37 Quickfire Questions

44:30 Outro

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We are back! Its 2026, and season 3 is here! Listen as Steve and Shane chat through why he decided to take the job at Sussex Beds, how he moved through the roles and when he finally found his right seat!

Plus, like cooking steak? Listen for Shane's top tips!

00:00 Intro

01:31 Shanes life before Sussex Beds

04:00 How he ended up at Sussex Beds

05:55 Why did the initial job appeal to him

07:01 Working with Sarah (his fiance)

10:40 Working in sales as a ‘Sleep Consultant’

11:50 Moving on to being a Store Manager

14:31 A move into the office working on the website

18:50 The catalyst of becoming IT Manager

23:30 Benefits of in-house skills

24:17 Working with Matt & Chris in IT

27:28 Learning to train someone

29:30 Quickfire Questions

36:52 Outro

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Its our final episode of 2025! So we thought we would share with you our goals & aspirations for 2026. Listen as Steve and Victoria share their 2025 goals and if they completed them, plus their goals & the office team's goals for 2026. Have you got a goal? You can share with us in the reviews!

00:00 Intro

02:30 Goals & SB Meetings

03:20 Steve's Goals for 2025

03:30 Steves' 1st Goal

06:30 Steves' 2nd Goal

08:02 Steves' 3rd Goal

09:00 What Steve wanted to do as a leader in 2025

11:20 What Steve wanted to spend more time on in 2025

14:30 Steves 3 Personal Goals for 2026

18:25 Steves' 3 Goals as a Leader

22:40 Victoria Goals for 2025

25:20 Victoria's Goals for 2026

28:18 Sarah's Goals

33:23 Grace's Goals

39:25 Paula's Goals

45:15 Matt's Goals

50:39 John's Goals

56:20 Sue's Goals

1:00:56 Lees' Goals

1:08:39 Outro

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