OUR STORY &
BUSINESS ROOTS

Ron Shovlin and Kara Shovlin are a husband and wife duo who own and run the business. Formerly known as “The Mattress Factory,” the business was founded by Brian Strell in 1972. Marlene and Richard Shovlin, Ron’s mother and father, eventually bought the business as their own in 1987.

The Shovlins had been a part of The Mattress Factory long before taking ownership—prior to becoming CEO, Marlene had been running the office. Meanwhile, a teenage Ron worked there part-time while attending high school, starting at age 13. The business was originally based in Garwood, New Jersey, but moved to Fanwood in 2007. Not long after, its name was changed from The Mattress Factory to the eponymous Shovlin Mattress Factory® and Ron became the sole owner of the flagship store. Swing by our store that’s now been operating for over 50 years! You'll likely meet Ron. Standing 6'7" he's hard to miss.

What do you find most rewarding about being part of the Shovlin team? Every day at work, I have a sense of calm and comfort. There's a unique peace of mind that comes with being part of this team.

What’s something most people don’t know about you? Off the clock, you can find me on the soccer field. It's my secret passion!

Do you jump on the beds at the store, at home, neither, or both? I leave the jumping to the kids (and Super Ron!)

Do you have a favorite Shovlin memory? There are too many good ones to single out just one!

What’s your role? I work behind the scenes at Shovlin, handling deliveries and warehouse tasks to ensure our customers get their dream sleep setup.

How many years have you been part of the mattress-making magic? Seven years!

What do you enjoy doing with your free time outside of work? I like to recharge in my downtime — relaxing and enjoying some refreshing time to myself.