In 2017, Steven Van Alen was a business management student at CSUN and already committed to the dream of entrepreneurship. Eight years later, Van Alen has steered his business, called “Sleepyhead,” to astonishing heights. Its sales are focused on the Sleepyhead website and on Amazon, where mattress toppers for all sizes of beds are available. Sleepyhead is now based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a staff of 25 and 5 college interns. 

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence showing that quality sleep improves health, productivity, and longevity, a significant portion of the population still struggles with sleep deprivation, insomnia, and sleep apnea. This widespread issue has sparked the growth of a sleep-focused industry—led by innovators like Steven Van Alen of Sleepyhead—that aims to deliver sustainable, effective solutions to help people sleep better and live better.

As the sleep industry evolves, Sleepyhead is set to lead with innovative, student-centric products. Focusing on technology, health, sustainability, and personalization, the company is well-positioned for future market demands. “We are excited about our role in shaping the sleep industry. Our commitment to innovation and quality will drive our growth and success,” concludes Van Alen.

Brands like Sleepyhead have pushed the boundaries further by focusing on student needs, creating products that blend comfort with affordability and durability, thus transforming mattress toppers into essential sleep accessories for a wide range of consumers.

As a college student, Van Alen found the university-provided mattress uncomfortable. Noticing his friends using unbranded, low-quality toppers, he saw a gap in the market. Inspired by the rise of brands targeting Gen Z, he realized the opportunity to create a brand that resonated with college students.

ONCE, the essentials students needed for their first year of college were limited to extra-long jersey bed sheets, shower shoes, spiral notebooks and a few packs of pens. Thanks to abundant tech, however, the university experience has changed.

As a college student transitioning from home life to dorm life, Steven Van Alen was jolted by a harsh reality of campus living -- the notoriously uncomfortable mattress.

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The mattress topper comes in both a two-inch and three-inch version. Prices start at $139 for a two-inch twin through $229 for a two-inch king size.

Whether you have an old mattress you want to breathe new life into, or a new one you want to make even more fabulous, a mattress topper is a simple way to improve your sleep game.

There's nothing worse than sleeping on an uncomfortable bed. But if you're headed off to college this fall, there's a good chance that your dorm mattress will be less than luxurious.

There are markdowns on electronics, clothes, backpacks, dorm decor, snacks… basically, everything a student of any stage could possibly need!

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Accomplishing what entrepreneurs twice his age are striving for, sleep company CEO and Founder Steven Van Alen already has his dream team of highly experienced investment professionals and seasoned industry executives.

Your freshman year of college is a series of new experiences that help you learn and grow. For Steven Van Alen, it was life in student housing that opened his eyes and inspired the idea behind his student-focused business.

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Looking for the latest and greatest must-have for your favorite tweens and teens this season? Relax and check out our handpicked gifts—they’ll be talked and texted about for years to come!

In my opinion, being a CEO is the most challenging job one can pursue, which is probably why they are paid so much.