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The FAM is growing in a big way.
The legend, Ray Allegrezza, is joining The FAM to lead our coverage of the furniture category! Say hello to our new Editor at Large.
This also means the FAM’s name is evolving to:
Furniture
And
Mattress
For more than 20 years Ray was the Editor-in-Chief for Furniture Today. While he joins The FAM as Editor at Large, Ray will continue in his role as the Executive Director for the International Home Furnishing Representatives Association.
We are so excited Ray is bringing his wisdom, enthusiasm, and expertise to our young and vibrant FAM.
In this episode, we discuss our expansion into furniture and give you a sneak peek into Ray’s first (huge) interview. Plus, find out what Ray has observed in our industry and hear his predictions for the future.
Full Transcription
Mark Kinsley
probably the biggest announcement we’ve had here on the dose Marco show as it relates to the fam, which means for all things mattress, or does it today it changes and how do we launch into a brand new category? You have to find the exact perfect person and we think there’s only one person on the planet that can help us get into the furniture industry and he’s on the show today the DOS Marcos show with our dear dear friend, our A you’ll know what it means coming up in a minute is here and it begins in 60 seconds
Mark Quinn
and, boy, we don’t just have liftoff do we Kinsley you got me.
Mark Kinsley
It’s like we’re going to a different planet. It’s like we are on a different planet right now.
Mark Quinn
And we’re on a rocket ship. That’s the whole thing and I am so freaking excited. So I have to tell a quick backstory you guys when Kinsley and I were talking about the name of the show or that the media property the fam, I had this great idea and I was so excited and I was gonna I sold the concept to Kinsley for 15 minutes and then he said, Hey, that’s great, but how about the fam instead? Because then we can grow into other verticals. For all things mattress is where we start, but it shifts quickly into Furniture and Mattress and then maybe someday furniture appliance and mattress anyway, and we’re like, okay, that’s fine, but if you’re gonna get into furniture, that’s a big deal. You and I aren’t furniture guys. Kinsley we’re mattress guys. And so then you say to yourself, Okay, who do you go to? That’s freaking brilliant. incredibly smart and handsome. And so we decided to get two out of the three. And we brought Ray grazer in who we think is the godfather of furniture industry. And Ray we are so fired up because you you’re going to be part of what we’re doing and you are going to help lead us into the furniture category as Are you ready? The editor at large for the fam Furniture and Mattress. Welcome to the fam baby
Mark Kinsley
Ray for people who don’t know you were the editor in chief at furniture today for how many years and now Ray, you’re the executive director of the International home furnishings, representatives Association. And of course Furniture and Mattress reps and people that rep all kinds of different products a huge piece of this This industry so you’re able to see the business from the vantage point of being editor in chief at furniture today for more than 20 years and now running it for as the executive director talk a little bit more about that for
Ray Allegrezza
20 years
Mark Kinsley
and how you see the furniture industry like take us into the rail race a little bit
Ray Allegrezza
flux when I was. Relay you know the best relay, you know the best.
Mark Kinsley
Well, Ray, we’re so excited to have you here. And now that we are involved, and the fam means Furniture and Mattress is literally could not do this without you literally. And you’re somebody that Martin had a crush on private moments have talked about looking up literally as a cursory activity and your energy and your perspective. And right out of the gates. Here we go. The very first story that you’re going to publish on the fam
Ray Allegrezza
comes with a comment by your direct nurse
Mark Kinsley
Shah and and you have a friendship and because you brought him to the to the betting company to the leadership conference years ago, and you’ve maintained a friendship and a connection with nourish, and And here he is, you know, I think coming alongside you to give his perspective on the industry. Talk about when you first met him and what that was, what he said to you and what was the reaction of the crowd in the room
Ray Allegrezza
I think. Believe it or not, I mean, I started obviously by my voice Believe it or not, I mean, I started obviously by my voice Believe it or not, I mean, I started obviously by my voice Believe it or not, I mean, I started obviously by my voice. Three but, um, I agree. But, um, I looked around in the paper, and I was there and I was wrong in the paper. And I was there and I was wrong in the paper and I was there quite a really interesting you know what?
Mark Quinn
So right, you know, they were what you’re talking about really fires me up, and I’m gonna I’m gonna rewind a bit my personal scenario, I have to tell you like, I’m really grateful because whenever you’re coming up in this, and I’ve been friends for a scary thought you were the one guy who very regardless of what I was, there always, maybe I shouldn’t blame mine. For some things to
Ray Allegrezza
me. Now I
Mark Quinn
write exactly what you were the guy always encouraged me, right. I always felt like such good intention with that. And you’re like, hey, look, I’m doing cool stuff and keep pushing and bring. Don’t stop with that. So I love that about you and bring her in there. So I always felt this kindred spirit with you because I think that’s who you are bringing BP and the other part I think fits so well with Mark and I on. Yes, you’re so driven, sharing purpose and your purpose.
Ray Allegrezza
To the industry you love this need to know.
Mark Quinn
Love the business itself. The industry of the industry. You’re very purpose driven. You want to serve people you want to help not because you’re trying to you don’t need to work your body You tired, but you just want to serve the industry. And it goes back to the way you are trying to serve the industry and say, Hey, this guy, and this is what’s coming. And you guys need to pay attention, or it’s gonna smack you in the face at some point with a beak. And so that is the enthusiasm that you attach to that category. Why not just a little bit about that? Like, what is it? Now as you look going forward and your chance to be part of what we’re doing? What is it that’s driving you what’s inspiring you right now for that
Ray Allegrezza
aim because it’s there? Free they were CSN stores where they combined many, many different products. They were CSN stores where they combined many, many different products. They were CSN stores where they combined many, many different products and websites under one roof. But before that, when he first started in websites under one roof, but before that, when he first started to your question, just like bookcases.com.com, but I saw something there. And I’m sure you have. And I said, we really need to break in, and I’m sure you have. And I said, we really need to bring it at large, you know, to the, to the three of the industry. You told us one of your biggest concerns for this industry, creativity, of lack of young talent, and he said do those two things, man and he saw what you just described, man and he said, You guys probably a humble man. And he said, You guys probably or betting or a new match, can humble man and he said, You guys probably humble man. And he said, You guys probably oh my god, they’re happy. They can humble man. And he said, You guys probably made their lives better. We’ve made that humble man. And he said, You guys probably made their lives better we’ve made but I just want to tell you, I’ve made their lives better. We’ve made the sofas that we grew up, I grew up in an industry that if they buy it, you know no downpayment, no interest don’t pay for if they buy it sells, you know, the ace of spades. It’s not it’s not that we don’t. Ells, you know, the ace of spades. It’s not it’s not seeing it the future of this industry, or a portion of the fusing into future of this industry, or a portion of the fusing into you remember, when I first got in a industry a decade ago, future of this industry, I remember portions just
Mark Kinsley
trying to figure out the lay of the land. And people would tell me all about you guys together and is over on the massive side have put you guys together, that’s where the creativity and marketing are big dollars were being spent. And that created a pull effect into furniture stores a lot of times I mean, back then sleep shops were on the ascension. But I think you’re right. I mean, I think we have on the mattress side of things collectively as an industry done a very good job of messaging around the benefits of the product. And I think there’s huge opportunity on the furniture side to do the same things and I have to say the fight is not over, they were still need to make sure that we’re connecting mattress accessories to the benefits of a good night’s rest. And we still do that at scale. But a lot of people are doing a much better job of it. So I’m excited to talk collectible. How with our connection here through the electrical we’re going to be able to trade ideas and and learn from you and I want claim that the good stuff in the mattress business agenda, we never be tossed over the fence to the furniture side of things. And have you ever said there too, and we want to tell you stories that are out there, there’s stories that are being maybe stories that matter to people to help them grow their business stories that are useful. And one of the things that we’re gonna be doing that I’m super excited about, um, via your first listener is Ray, you’re going to do a podcast on the fam too. So we’re going to get your first season out, I really and I know because I’m pretty excited that the guy who is now part of the fam, the godfather himself, is able to make his first phone call to the CEO. And they’re, so I can’t wait to see who you get on your show. And you can give us a preview now or you can you can play those cards close to the vest, however you want to do it Ray,
Ray Allegrezza
be creative than furniture because more creative than furniture because even though I was in the industry, if you put a gun in my head, me the difference between that 599 And really took the lead and youth can action
Mark Quinn
be loved. I mean, what’s this mean when your furniture today? I mean, you helped build one of the most successful media properties inside the trade. Right? I mean, furniture today is a great job for them. But you know, and you know, there are some things happening and people aren’t talking about. So give us a little hand like, so one of them. Right pulled the string out on a little bit. You know, we talked about the logistics of everything that’s going on. Right? And you would think that there’s a lot to be a lot there that should be talking I’ll throw this back. A lot of that conversation isn’t happening necessarily. Using that.
Ray Allegrezza
I’ll be a soft question to, to both works, have you. in someone’s home when they’ve taken delivery. And someone’s home when they’ve taken deliver in someone’s home when they’ve taken deliver in someone’s home when they’ve taken deliver in someone’s home when they’ve taken deliver a new piece of furniture, or a new piece of furniture or a new piece of furniture. Or there’s there’s this touchy fears. There’s this touchy fears. There’s this touchy feely crowd they want to show we proudly want to show them we don’t feel happy, but and feel happy, but and feel happy. But that was the No no, no, it was the No no, no 43 years because you don’t have to send a message we should be bringing and I I said I want one more chance to get our bowl. I said I want one more chance to get our bowl. I said I want one more chance to get our bowl. I said I want one more chance to get our bowl home furnishings in Terenzo home from bones into the shoe out to really where’s the aim was to really understand why I’m on board what we do the families years and raising that flag the beauty it’s managers word they’re gonna do it the issues and proud as hell and she feels exsisting if I could
wipe on that white on that white on that white on that white on that white on that.
Ray Allegrezza
They’ve got they know new technology, they knew they they’ve got they know new technology they knew they knew mattress guys, you had to be more. I mean, God took about product parody. I mean, God took about product parody. I mean, God took about product parody. I mean, God took about product parody, I you know, we could talk about some different you know, we could talk about some different betting shop and, and said tell that 35 night 35 Night at 35 Nights meet more. So, congratulations to you got you up. So congratulations to you got you. You show people what’s possible with imagination, creativity and people what’s possible with imagination, creativity, and people what’s possible with imagination, creativity, and on messaging, on messaging on messaging
Mark Kinsley
and push it we shall with you holding the reins and Hey Ray Is there anything that you want to say to this audience people that may have had a connection with you in the past people that may want to get in touch with you of course you can always send an email to info at fam dot news and we can get you in touch with Ray but what do you want to say as you’re out there kind of beating the carpet again and and telling some of these stories and you know rekindling some of those relationships that you had on the furniture side of things when it comes to the storytelling aspect What are you want to say to this audience? And I’m confident we can I mean, we have such a unique little, just platform here. And it’s it’s this campfire that we want everybody to gather around and share stories and share ideas and come away better and more connected than they were before. And one of the cool things is, I mean, be sure be sure right now you are subscribed to the fam audio stories. You can get it on Spotify, you can get an apple podcast, but every single piece of written content that we have on our site on fam dot news gets turned into an audio version of that story. So you can get your mattress and furniture news on the go directly into those earbuds the moment it hits those podcast feeds, which is by the way before it hits our site. So you’re going to get it first and so I can’t wait to take you know this interview that we’re going to do that that Ray You’ve already done with the CEO of Wayfair nourish Shah and that’s going to have its own audio version that gets piped out to the fam audio stories and everything else Ray writes is going to end up there and on top of that, Ray is going to have his own podcast where he gets under the hood the nitty gritty down and dirty of the furniture industry. So we’re excited he’s probably still thinks that There is no greater compliment from any person than then what you just said to us and there’s a team behind the fam. I mean, Alex and Adrian, and our podcast contributors, you know, the guys from good bed, Mike and Jeff, you’ve got BT just stores with BT is absolutely crushing it. Andrew, Matt, man Schlesser. I mean, and then we’ve got contributors like, yeah, you got contributors, like Jeff Shire. So that that’s the whole point, though. It is the fam. It’s a group, it’s a community. And the more voices we have, that are picking out things that should be covered, and sometimes saying, You know what, this needs to be covered so badly. I’ve got to say this, I’ve got to ride it. Well, you got a platform to do that. And we love bringing more people into the fam. And officially we’ve got the Godfather as part of the fair, I just felt like there’s a puzzle piece missing and it feels complete now
I got a couple oh nine volt batteries
Ray Allegrezza
and I think it’s time to shine the light
