Episode 24 - Transforming Lives Through Sleep: Mary Pat Wallace on Building The Luxury Bed Collection

Transcript

Wendy (00:00): [Music] Hello powerhouse smart friends and colleagues. We're here again at another episode of my beloved powerhouse cool collabs podcast. I put this podcast together because I realize how fortunate I am to live this rich life with amazing individuals who I get to sometimes see often, sometimes now and then, and how amazing it would be to share my network with all of you. So, there's three pillars. One is I look for leaders that I feel are super cool, like our guest today. Number two, they live with an attitude of gratitude—so important in our lifetime. And three, they believe in helping humanity and giving back.

Our guest today is a very, very longtime friend of mine—never say old—a longtime friend of mine who is so perfect under those three pillars. I always let my guests introduce themselves, so I'm so excited for you all to meet Mary Pat Wallace. Mary Pat, take the microphone. Welcome.

Mary Pat Wallace (01:14): Hi Wendy. Yeah, that was quite the introduction. So, great job.

Wendy (01:20): Well, thank you. I love one of the things that you just said about sharing your connections. Something that someone said to me early on in my career, and you have built yours on it, is: when you look at your professional life, look at your relationship equity. Who are the people that you have found you align yourself with—how to do business, how to handle problems, support each other—and the fact that you're willing to share those people you've built relationships with over the years with others.

The internet makes that possible. If someone ever has a question for me and they think, "I wonder if she could answer this or she's had this experience," the answer is yes. That’s why Wendy reaches out—because it is about sharing what we've done, what we've learned, and hopefully, by meeting more people, it can help us on the journey of where we're going next.

Mary Pat Wallace (02:35): Absolutely. When I thought of you, I said, "Oh my god, Mary Pat has to be my next guest." I thought back to how we met; we were both on the board of Designs for Dignity, and I sat next to you at one of our board meetings and immediately felt our souls clicked. We were right on the same page. Since then, we've had a lot of opportunities for me to learn more about your business and for us to collaborate. So you are the perfect guest.

With that said, at least for today, I am… for today for sure. I love your story too. The fact that you are open-minded—that is huge. We have this one lifetime to really make an impact. I loved everything you said, but start back with how you got into the industry, and then I can ask more questions about where you are now because that is going to be super interesting to everyone in our audience.

Mary Pat Wallace (03:24): Please. Thank you. So, Wendy, I got that. It's interesting when people ask, "When did you really get into the business?" As a young child, literally in the eight, nine, ten-year range, I was the kid that would close my bedroom door and rearrange my furniture four different times before I… It was the way. I would do it by myself. And I'm not a very big person, no. But it was one of those things that, like, environments—especially when they felt good—people feel better about themselves, they're more optimistic. It's not always about the size of the space; it's about how the space serves you. It's a very personal feeling.

I always knew I wanted to go into the design business. My first entrée was with a design firm in Chicago at the time called Blutter Schiff. Joan Blutter had designed hotels for a friend of my parents and ended up helping us with a home we had bought when I was in high school. While in high school, in the summers, I would jump on the train and go work for Joan and Janet. At that time, Janet was sort of the newbie. It was Joan Blutter Interiors, and her daughter was coming into it. That’s where it all got started.

Mary Pat Wallace (05:00): Joan being the quintessential English high-end residential designer, the first time I entered her home, I really discovered how designers often prefer to live simply because of all the projects they do, which are complicated and have many specifications. When they get home, they want it clean and simple. That was Joan—she was a minimalist. At first, it didn’t make sense to me, but the more I got to know her, I realized it did.

After finishing university, I worked in Italy for a couple of years, always loving Italian design. When I came back, there weren’t many choices. I wanted to work for Steelcase or Herman Miller, but I was too young and not trained on the sales side. So I went to high-end residential showrooms: Barbara Pearlman, Peg Kard of Kard and Osgood, Holly Hunt, and a few others. I got job offers from everybody. A family friend told me to go with Holly Hunt, and I did. One interesting part was a gentleman there was doing contract design for clients like Gendlers and Perkins and Wills. I was interested in both commercial and residential, so that’s how it all started.

Mary Pat Wallace (06:55): Working for Holly in the early days was great. She’s an entrepreneur who allows people to try good ideas and minimizes mistakes. Between working for a woman who had three kids, was dynamic, and a good communicator about business, I learned a lot. Holly is still someone I reach out to when I have questions.

Wendy (07:42): You talk about mentors in business. Your business has gone through great change over the years. You started with Holl’s, then you were on your own by 28 with your independent rep business. Then you got into the luxury mattress and wellness space because of two young kids, realizing sleep was a premium.

Mary Pat Wallace (08:43): Exactly. When you’re a parent with sick kids, up all night, you realize that if you’re not sleeping, you’re not good to anybody. A friend introduced me to H’s Beds, which changed everything. Holly once said, "When a door closes, pay attention because a pair of French doors will open." That philosophy has guided me through many changes.

Wendy (10:20): Your career has evolved beautifully. You took a challenge in your life and turned it into something ahead of its time—health and wellness, luxury beds—and you’ve shared it with others.

Mary Pat Wallace (11:01): Thank you. Health and wellness has been a focus, and sleep is such an important part of life. My husband and I experienced the H beds ourselves, and we knew others should have them too.

Wendy (12:12): That’s incredible. You’ve built a business and a story around experience and quality. People must love your approach.

Mary Pat Wallace (13:05): Absolutely. Experiencing the beds first-hand is critical. You see the difference in materials, construction, and feel. It’s like a chef combining ingredients in a unique way. Everyone should experience it.

Wendy (13:40): Sleep is a third of your life. Good sleep affects happiness, appearance, and health. That’s why what you do is so impactful.

Mary Pat Wallace (14:36): Exactly. My mattress, phone, and espresso machine are essentials. Everything else can go. Sleep sets the tone for the day.

Wendy (15:31): Your three showrooms reflect this philosophy. Chicago, Dallas, Naples—can you share a bit about them?

Mary Pat Wallace (17:15): Chicago started 20 years ago, recently moved to 120 West Hubbard, a bigger, luxurious space. Dallas opened in 2018, and Naples in 2021. The locations serve high-quality clientele and allow people to experience the beds fully. Our team is incredible and provides excellent customer service.

Wendy (20:36): Amazing. You also give back through Designs for Dignity. Can you share what that looks like?

Mary Pat Wallace (21:43): Designs for Dignity is a cause close to my heart. Hunter Kaiser introduced me to their work. Seeing their projects firsthand—the therapy rooms, living spaces for those in transition—is inspiring. The impact is multiplied through those they help and the staff who serve. I’ve been involved for 10–15 years, and it’s been a core part of my life.

Wendy (26:42): Mary Pat, how would you define a well-lived life?

Mary Pat Wallace (27:01): It’s about relationships—family, friends, nurturing others. Balance comes from doing what energizes you, whether that’s work, nature, exercise, or personal passions. Surround yourself with people you love and do what you love every day.

Wendy (28:48): That’s a beautiful perspective and a wonderful way to end. Thank you so much for joining us, Mary Pat.

Mary Pat Wallace (29:03): Thank you all for listening. I look forward to seeing you in Chicago, Naples, or Dallas. Namaste. Sleep well.