John Merwin is the founder of Brooklyn Bedding and the CEO of Phoenix-based 3Z Brands, the manufacturer and parent company of Bear, Birch, Helix, Leesa and Nolah brands. When Merwin isn’t keeping busy with his business (3Z Brands recently announced a factory expansion to grow its foam-pouring operation), he enjoys golfing and, in the winter, going on ski trips with his whole family.
BedTimes: Tell us about your bedtime routine.
John Merwin: I always take a shower right before bed and usually spend 15-20 minutes catching up on any messages and emails that I didn’t have a chance to get to during the workday. I also take a few minutes to review what’s on my schedule for the next day.
BT: How many hours of sleep do you typically get?
JM: I typically sleep seven to eight hours, but I can function on four or five.
BT: Pets in the bed – yay or nay?
JM: Yay. We have three dogs, and they share the bed. We have Ollie, a 2-year-old sheepadoodle; Paisley, an 8-year-old Chihuahua mix; and Mandy, a 7-year-old mixed breed (we are guessing boxer/shar-pei/rottweiler).
BT: Barefoot or socks?
JM: Barefoot. Do people actually wear socks to sleep?
BT: What’s on your nightstand?
JM: A bottle of water, a picture of my wife and a picture of our family.
BT: What is the best sleep product that you own and why?
JM: A sound machine. My wife and I struggle to fall asleep if we don’t have white noise.
BT: What are your best sleep tips?
JM: Keep your sleep space dark and cool.
BT: Where is the last place you got a great night’s sleep that wasn’t your house and what made it great?
JM: It was a couple of weeks ago, camping in a tent in Alaska. What made it so great? Fresh mountain air and a sleep aid.
BT: What do you do that breaks the traditional sleep rules?
JM: I tend to use my phone right before bed. I know the blue light isn’t ideal for a good night’s sleep, but it’s my time to catch up on everything before I wind down for the night.
BT: Let’s play a game of what would you rather. Sleep mask or sound machine?
JM: Sound machine.
BT: Physical book or Kindle?
JM: Physical book.
BT: Before bed — read a book, watch a show or listen to a podcast?
JM: Watch a show.
BT: What are your secrets for getting a good night’s sleep while traveling?
JM: Don’t travel, ha ha. I wish I could get a good night’s rest traveling; I’m still working on that.
Meet more members of our industry. Read Nigthcap Q&A With Christina Pennant.
