In 1977, Denny Boyd founded his namesake company Boyd Sleep. Both a manufacturer and a retailer, Boyd Sleep has five locations in the St. Louis metro area and holds more than 30 U.S. patents in the specialty sleep products category. When Boyd isn’t helping people get a better night’s sleep, he’s probably swimming. He swims almost every day and also competes in his age group for Masters international swim meets.
BedTimes: Tell us about your bedtime routine. What do you do before bed?
Denny Boyd: I mostly wind down after finishing nighttime emails to our overseas vendors. I also watch television.
BT: How many hours do you typically sleep? What’s the minimum you need to function?
DB: My usual is seven hours. My minimum is five hours.
BT: Pets in the bed –
yay or nay?
DB: We have a frequent visit from our 20-pound Siberian forest cat, Leo.
BT: Barefoot or socks?
DB: Barefoot
BT: What’s on your nightstand?
DB: iPhone and Alexa
BT: What is the best sleep product that you own and why?
DB: My Boyd Sleep mattress
BT: What are your best sleep tips?
DB: Relax your body and clear your mind.
BT: Where is the last place you got a great night’s sleep that wasn’t your house and what made it great?
DB: My condo in the Florida Keys, listening to the waves caress the shore.
BT: What are your secrets for getting a good night’s sleep while traveling?
DB: Try to find a hotel with good mattresses. Also, maintain the same routine prior to going to bed as you do at home.
BT: What do you do that breaks the traditional sleep rules?
DB: Drinking alcohol with friends.
BT: What do you do when you have insomnia?
DB: Focus on clearing my mind.
BT: Let’s play a game of “Would You Rather?” Sleep mask or sound machine?
DB: Sound machine with ocean waves
BT: Physical book or Kindle?
DB: Kindle
BT: Before bed — read a book, watch a show or listen to a podcast?
DP: Watch a show.
BT: Is there anything else you want to share?
DB: I love to sleep!
Read more Nightcap Q&As: Nightcap Q&A With Allen Platek.