Monthly Archives: July 2012
SHEEX Office Celebrates the First Day of the 2012 London Olympic Games
In honor of the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony held today in London, the SHEEX team decided to have a little opening ceremony of their own. After a rigorous team meeting, a handful of brave SHEEX souls strapped on some crisp clean SHEEX in ancient toga fashion and headed outside for the photo shoot. After some initial apprehension, everyone relaxed and started to really get into it. Even Vegas, the lovable office dog, wanted in on the action!
The Olympics: The Performance Opportunity of a Lifetime
The 2012 London Olympics are upon us and Team SHEEX is ready to watch, support and cheer on athletes competing in the world’s most prestigious athletic event!
We are proud to support Hyleas Fountain (Heptathlon/Track and Field) and Brad Walker (Pole Vault/Track and Field) leading up to the most important competition of their lives.
Part of the Olympic prestige comes from the fact that the Games are held once every four years, giving the athletes few chances to give their best performances. While not as exclusive as the Olympics themselves, SHEEX is proud to announce a limited quantity of our Performance Cotton bedding. While cotton typically does not go hand in hand with the word “performance,” SHEEX Performance Cotton is enhanced to manage temperature, a great addition to your bedroom during these hot summer months!
My Intern Story: Graphic Design Intern
By Josh- Graphic Design Intern
After spending several weeks searching for an internship where I could grow as a designer and a person, I received an email from SHEEX. From that point things were a blur until I moved the last of my things into my new apartment in Columbia, South Carolina…the day before I was to start working. The prospects of what lie ahead whirled in my mind as I followed my GPS down busy streets to the office in Irmo. I was greeted at the front door warmly by Vegas the office dog, then I was introduced to Brittany and my tour began. I met everyone in the office and went through a welcome packet. Then I started working on a project almost immediately–packaging that was due by the end of the week. By the end of the day I was already getting feedback from Susan and Michelle!
I’m an Industrial Design student from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and I was brought on to work on packaging, graphics, store displays and anything else Susan and Michelle can throw at me. Now I should say that I’ve only been on board for about 2 weeks as of this writing, but they have been two very productive and very fun weeks so far. Everyone I’ve met here has been welcoming and helpful, and I feel like I’m definitely going to be making a difference in the company. There is a lot of conversation involving things like “forecast,” “plugging things into models,” or “analyzing a pattern in 2014”. Another common topic of discussion is Excel a program I’ve touched less than 10 times in my life. Sometimes I just feel like saying things like, “I’m just going to go work on CAD for bit then tweak some orthographic views” just to see the lost expression I must have on my face from time to time reflected on other’s less familiar with graphic design programs. I’m definitely learning a lot about business and I think everyone else is learning a bit about design. It’s been a big change from the design driven atmosphere at SCAD to a business one here, but I’m catching on.
Things move fast at the SHEEX Offices and I’m glad I hit the ground running. It’s really great to be able to put some new skills to the test, and to grow along side a company with as much promise as SHEEX. I’m very excited about the projects ahead and am looking forward to seeing what we can come up with to enhance the experience of SHEEX for you.
SHEEX at the ESPYS
Michelle and Susan attended the ESPYs once again this year so naturally there were some fabulous SHEEX giveaways. 150 lucky attendees received a pewter or black SHEEX travel pillow and a King or Queen set of SHEEX! Kaye and Chris put a lot of love and effort into packaging the gifts, all of which was done at the SHEEX office in South Carolina.
The glamorous night was spent amongst the biggest stars in sports and was followed by exclusive cocktail and dinner parties.
Michelle alongside another WNBA superstar Chamique Holdsclaw.
Get a sneak peak at SHEEX in the ESPY goodie bags at the beginning of this clip from ESPN Sportsnation:
My Intern Story: Marketing Intern Brittany Mitchell
Brittany- Marketing Intern
I never thought I would end up doing an internship in Irmo, South Carolina. I’m not really into small cities as evident by the fact that I spent most of my childhood trying to get out of Nashville because it was too small. For my last internship I moved to the heart of Paris for 7 months and couldn’t have felt more at home. So when both Marty and Anthony (fellow IMBAs at the Moore School of Business) talked to me about interning at SHEEX I was vehemently opposed to any city too small to have a subway system–no less a town that I’d never even heard of. But here I am in Irmo, South Carolina.
What sold the internship at SHEEX to me was the combination of smart, dynamic people and a very unique product that has so much potential from a marketing perspective. I am fascinated by the thought and creativity that goes into growing a luxury brand. When I first looked at the SHEEX website, packaging, advertising and PR, I thought, this company isn’t selling sheets, they are selling a lifestyle, which is something I want to stand behind. Marty and Anthony explained to me the history of the company and the technology behind the product and how important functionality is to the brand. Co-CEOs Susan and Michelle are even more interesting than their backgrounds as star players and award-winning coaches suggest. It also doesn’t hurt that Michelle and I share the same Alma Mater… Go VOLS! From the beginning everything about the company seemed unconventional which sparked my interest even more. After a 20 minute interview with Susan I was sold. I spent the rest of the week explaining to friends and family why staying in South Carolina over the summer actually made more sense than doing anything else.
After only a few months my responsibilities include copywriting, collaborating with the CMO and other agencies on marketing campaigns, product and market research, branding strategy and community management. I also have responsibilities as the intern manager which include recruiting new interns, managing the current intern project list and building relationships with USC to do client-based project work in certain classes. Despite all my past internships and work experiences, SHEEX is by far the most interesting, fun and challenging experience I’ve had so far. Who would have guessed that a big city girl could have such a good time and grow professionally in cute, little Irmo, SC!
Michelle and Janice in El Salvador
Befitting of their always hectic schedules, Michelle and Janice squeezed in a quick trip to the factory in El Salvador last week. After some not so tasty late night sushi, Michelle and Susan were up bright and early for a morning run. Then it was off to the factory to witness SHEEX performance products in the making.
Bad sushi…but still smiling!
Taking it to the streets of El Salvador. Michelle and Janice out for a morning run. Okay I was walking by this point!
The designs looked amazing and the employees made Michelle and Janice feel warm and welcomed. They even performed a choreographed danced routine during their afternoon break. Although at the time this may have seemed like an audition for El Salvador’s Got Talent, in reality it is just a cool part of their day-to-day routine. All in all, the visit was a huge success and everyone can sleep easy knowing SHEEX products are in great hands!
Michelle looking on as first designs are coming through the sewing lines.
Team Janice hard at work!
Exercise break in the factory! They dance to pop music for about 10 minutes to stretch and relieve tension!
SHEEX in progress!
Not Afraid to Break the Rules
SHEEX is currently featured in the July 2012 issue of Inc. Magazine thanks to Susan and Michelle’s out-of-the-box approach to fund-raising. Inc. Magazine is a publication known for offering advice, tools and services to help small businesses grow. In their article, “Investors: the More, the Merrier?” Inc. highlights Susan and Michelle’s ability not only to attract a “flock of angel investors,” but also to maintain majority control of the company while still offering a worthwhile return to their 69 investors. Clearly when it comes to SHEEX, it pays to travel off the beaten path. Read the whole article here.
Michelle Speaks for Legend, Coach and Friend: Pat Summit
On June 22nd, Michelle was honored to speak on behalf of Pat Summit, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history and former coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team. Michelle and Pat’s relationship goes all the way back to 1996 when Michelle led the Lady Vols to their 4th NCAA National Championship Title. At the speaking engagement last week, Michelle shared some of her fondest memories of playing for Pat and showed her support for the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Michelle and Pat Summitt at a reception before Michelle speaks on behalf of Pat at a corporate speaking engagement in downtown Nashville, TN honoring Pat and supporting the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Foundation.
SHEEX Sleep Ambassador Hyleas Fountain Wins the U.S. Olympic Trials!
SHEEX Sleep Ambassador Hyleas Fountain is London bound! On Saturday June 30, 2012 Fountain won the Women’s Heptathlon at the U.S. Olympic Trials in an Olympic A Standard qualifying score of 6,419 points. The Heptathlon is a 2-day event which tests true athletic ability through a tough series of events that include long jump, javelin, 100 meter hurdles, shot put, high jump, 200 meters and 800 meters. Fountain won the Silver Medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and will compete for the Gold in London while representing the United States.
Prior to the competition, Hyleas tweeted and spoke about traveling with her SHEEX Sleep Sax which helps her sleep like a pro in order to perform at her best. Traveling with SHEEX to the Olympic Trials certainly paid off and rest-assured she will use the same game plan as she takes on the World at the Olympic Games, commencing on July 27th.
