Founded by two enterprising Malaysians, Joey Tan and Winson Chong, this homegrown brand has been shaking up the sleep industry since 2018. We caught up with the dynamic duo to learn more about their journey, the inspiration behind Joey Mattress, and how they’re making better sleep accessible to Malaysians one mattress at a time.
The start of a dream
Before launching Joey Mattress, Joey and Winson were two university students experimenting with entrepreneurship. Their first venture? Handmade paracord bracelets, which they sold on Instagram.
“That’s how we learned the basics of e-commerce – digital marketing, customer service, and even delivering orders ourselves,” Joey recalls. “It was hands-on and really taught us the ins and outs of running a business.”
After taking a break to focus on graduating, they felt the pull to create something bigger. The turning point came when Winson suffered a slip disc, sparking an idea that would change their lives – and the Malaysian mattress market – forever.
Turning a pain point into a passion
Winson’s back pain led the pair to hunt for the perfect mattress, but the experience was more frustrating than fruitful.
“Shopping for a mattress was overwhelming,” Winson explains. “At a home expo, we found it nearly impossible to compare products because every brand used different names and materials. Prices weren’t transparent, and the sales process felt outdated. We left more confused than when we went in.”
Sitting outside KLCC after the exhausting ordeal, they had a lightbulb moment: “Why not create a better shopping experience for customers like us?” Joey says. “That’s how Joey Mattress was born – as a passion project to fix the issues we encountered.”
Designing the perfect mattress
From the beginning, Joey and Winson knew their mission wasn’t just about simplifying the shopping process – it was about solving real sleep problems. “Our research showed that poor-quality sleep often stems from the wrong mattress,” Joey explains. “Issues like overheating, lack of support, or motion transfer can disrupt your rest.”
To tackle these problems, the duo worked closely with foam experts to create their proprietary J-Foam. “Our foam is engineered with open-cell technology, which promotes breathability and regulates body temperature, so you don’t wake up feeling hot,” Winson says.
Another standout feature is zero motion transfer, a game-changer for couples. “I have restless leg syndrome,” Winson shares. “When I moved in my sleep, it used to wake Joey up. So we designed our mattress to isolate motion. It’s been especially helpful for couples like us.”
Their approach to mattress design is refreshingly straightforward – one type of mattress, available in various sizes. “We poured all our energy into creating one mattress that works for everyone,” Joey says. “Whether you’re a light sleeper or someone with back pain, this mattress was made with you in mind.”
The 99-night trial mattress experience
In a market where mattresses are expensive, and traditional in-store experiences only let customers try them for a few minutes, Joey Mattress wanted to offer a better way for people to test their product. The answer? A unique 99-night trial.
“We wanted to allow customers to truly experience how the mattress works for them in their own homes,” Joey says. “A mattress is a significant investment, and we knew that the typical in-store experience wasn’t enough to make an informed decision. With our 99-night trial, people had the opportunity to test the mattress for themselves. If they didn’t like it, they could return it for a full refund – and we’d donate the mattress to charity.”
This approach was especially important for an online business like Joey Mattress, which was something new in the Malaysian market back then. The 99-night trial gave customers the confidence to buy a mattress they hadn’t physically tested, knowing they could return it if it didn’t meet their needs.
Personal sleep tips from the founders
As champions of better sleep, Joey and Winson also shared some personal sleep tips they swear by. “For me, I avoid caffeine after lunch,” Joey says. “It might seem like a small thing, but it really affects your sleep patterns.”
She also recommends separate blankets for couples: “It’s a lifesaver. When one partner tosses and turns, it doesn’t disturb the other.”
Winson adds with a laugh, “I used to pull the blanket off her in my sleep and then wake up panicking, thinking she was freezing. Now we each have our own blanket, and it’s been a game-changer.”
The most rewarding part of their journey
For Joey and Winson, the most fulfilling aspect of their journey is hearing how their products improve lives.
“Our mission is simple: helping others sleep better helps us sleep better,” Joey says. “It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about making a real impact. Knowing that our mattress affects someone’s life for eight hours every day is incredibly motivating.”
Winson agrees, adding, “The reviews we get are the most rewarding part. Every product we launch starts with a pain point we want to solve. For example, our topper was developed after customers shared specific challenges. Hearing that it solved their problems is the ultimate validation.”
Joey highlights another unique motivator: “We have a device that updates us every time an order comes in and adds to our total customer count. Right now, we’ve helped over 62,000 Malaysians sleep better. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do.”
Changing the way Malaysians sleep
Five years after its launch, Joey Mattress has become a trusted name in Malaysian households. Their journey from university students selling bracelets to entrepreneurs revolutionising the mattress industry is a testament to their grit, passion, and dedication to improving lives.
“We started with a simple idea: make mattress shopping easy and accessible,” Joey says. “Today, we’re proud to be helping Malaysians get the quality sleep they deserve.”
So, the next time you lie down for a good night’s rest, think about the duo who made it possible – two young dreamers who turned sleepless nights into a mission to help others sleep better.
Discover more about Joey Mattress and its range of products designed to transform your sleep experience here.
Love reading inspiring stories from industry experts? Explore more of our features with remarkable individuals here.
Photography by Imran Sulaiman