Savvy Rest is a Virginia-based natural mattress and organic bedding manufacturer. The company has ranked in the Inc. 500/5000 roster of AmericaÕs fastest-growing companies for three consecutive years. Savvy RestÕs founder, Michael Penny, took an unusual path to business. He lived for 20 years in a yoga ashram, consuming little and owning less. After leaving that community, Penny worked in a mattress store and was struck by two realizations: 1) most people shop for mattresses in a state of tension and mistrust because of traditional selling practices, and 2) most conventional or foam mattresses contain toxic chemicals, particularly flame retardants and pesticides, that threaten both human and environmental health.
Penny viewed the bedroom as a key retreat from pollutant exposure, and better sleep as essential to health. In 2003, he opened his own mattress store and in 2006, founded Savvy Rest. Penny made a connection with a natural latex supplier from India, who extended him credit on the strength of a handshake and their shared outlook. Penny chose natural latex, organic wool, and organic cotton as materials for Savvy RestÕs signature mattress because they do not expose sleepers to off-gassing chemicals or pesticide residues.
Sector: Manufacturing
Size: 10-49 employees
B Corp Certified – Impact Score: 80.1
