As CEO of SABA North America, Jim Turner often finds himself traveling across the United States, Canada, and Latin America, overseeing the company’s strategy, business development, operations, and customer success functions. But for the self-described “family man at heart”—who along with his wife, Kimmi, loves spending time with adult and college-age children Jimmy, Julia, Jacob, and Joey—there’s truly no place like home.
BedTimes: What’s one thing you absolutely need for a good night’s sleep?
Jim Turner: A TV in the room. I know it’s not a great sleep habit, but I go to sleep every night with “Seinfeld” rolling on Netflix.
BT: What’s your ideal bedtime?
JT: I’m usually in bed by 11 p.m. I’ve generally always been more of a night owl than early riser.
BT: Pets in the bed—yea or nay?
JT: My “canine son” Cooper, an 11-year-old cocker spaniel, sleeps wherever he wants. He needs a step to get onto our bed these days, but he’s part of the family.
BT: Barefoot or socks at bedtime?
JT: Totally seasonal. I live in Michigan, so socks in the winter and barefoot in the summer.
BT: What’s on your nightstand right now?
JT: Always a water bottle (or several), my phone, and a small stack of books that I’m working on or intend to read soon.
BT: What’s the best sleep product you own and why?
JT: My home! I know that’s a big “sleep product,” but there’s no place like home for me when it comes to a good night of sleep.
BT: What’s one thing you always pack to help you sleep away from home?
JT: When I travel internationally, I’ll always bring along melatonin to try to combat the jet lag, but domestically I just pray for a clean room.
BT: What’s the strangest or best place you’ve ever fallen asleep?
JT: I can sleep anywhere at about any time. If I need a “power nap,” I can literally be out within a minute or two and wake up ready to rock after 10 or 15 minutes. That said, I’ve napped in many odd spots!
BT: Do you break any traditional sleep “rules”?
JT: I sleep with my phone on my nightstand, and it’s usually the last thing I check before bed and the first thing I check in the morning. I also don’t like sleeping in the dark and usually leave a TV on at night (muted).
BT: Sleep mask or sound machine?
JT: Sound machine.
BT: Cozy or cool?
JT: Cool.
BT: Finally, what is your favorite nightly ritual?
JT: My absolute nightly ritual is to text my kids a quick goodnight message.
