Napolean Barragan's Advice for Thriving In a Down Economy

HispanicBusiness.com asked 5 top Latino CEOs for their advice for thriving during a cold economy. Here's what Long Island City's Napolean Barragan, CEO, 1-800-MATTRESS, had to share:

Just because the economy is in a lull, doesn't mean one of the world's leading mattress companies is taking a rest.

Napolean Barragan, who founded 1-800-MATTRESS in 1976 as a direct marketing mattress store in Queens, New York, now has a simple strategy to keep his international business strong in the current economic climate – refocus on customer service.

That means encouraging customers to take 30-minute naps in their retail stores, so potential buyers actually fall asleep and get a true feel for the mattress they are considering purchasing.

"We are constantly introducing new ways to more efficiently present the customer with all they need to make the proper buying decision," Barragan said in an e-mail.

In the often less personal world of online sales, 1-800-MATTRESS is adding a personal touch by connecting customers with live online customer service agents.

The company has shifted its delivery hours too, taking cues from their customers.

"Most people really dislike deliveries coming between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.," Barragan said, "so we deliver when the customer wants it."