Robert Taglianetti
Founder of Sleep6 & Busby | Chicago, IL
25+ years building mattress brands from the factory floor up. Robert speaks on sleep science, Made-in-USA manufacturing, retail partnerships, and what consumers are getting wrong about the product they spend a third of their life on.
25 Years of Building Better Sleep
Robert Taglianetti has spent over two and a half decades in the sleep industry, working every layer of the business — from factory floor production to national retail distribution. He is the founder of Sleep6 and Busby, two Chicago-based mattress brands built on the belief that quality sleep should be accessible, honest, and American-made.
Under Robert's leadership, Sleep6 secured a partnership with Apt., bringing factory-direct mattresses to consumers across the country. Every product in both brands is manufactured using 100% USA-sourced materials — a commitment Robert has maintained even as competitors have shifted overseas in pursuit of lower costs.
Robert is a straight-talking operator who has seen every trend the sleep industry has tried to sell consumers over the past 25 years. He brings that experience to every conversation — whether he is breaking down mattress science, sharing the realities of scaling a manufacturing business in Chicago, or helping consumers cut through the noise in a crowded market.
25+
Years in the sleep industry
2
National brands: Sleep6 & Busby
Apt.
National retail partnership
Made in USA
100% domestic materials
Topics He Speaks On
Mattress Science
How foam layers, support systems, and materials actually affect sleep quality.
Sleep Wellness
The connection between quality sleep and physical recovery, mental clarity, and daily performance.
Made in USA Manufacturing
What it really takes to keep production domestic — and why it matters for the consumer.
Supply Chain & Retail
Navigating the complexity of mattress distribution from factory floor to front door.
Chicago Entrepreneurship
Building and scaling a manufacturing business in the heart of the Midwest.
Apt. Partnership
The inside story of landing a major retail partnership and what it demands of a small manufacturer.
Consumer Buying Mistakes
The top mistakes shoppers make when buying a mattress — and how to avoid them.
Factory-Direct Model
How cutting out the middleman changes pricing, quality, and the customer relationship.
Family Business & Legacy
Growing a generational business and the values that guide decision-making.
Sleep Industry Trends
Where the $16 billion sleep industry is heading — from DTC disruption to wellness tech.
Interview Angles
Pick the framing that fits your audience — Robert can go deep on any of these.
The Business Story
From factory floor to national retail: how Robert built Sleep6 and Busby into a recognized brand, scored an Apt. partnership, and kept it all Made in USA.
Health & Wellness
Robert breaks down the science of sleep — what your mattress is actually doing to your body and why most people are sleeping on the wrong one.
Chicago Made
A proud Chicago entrepreneur who manufactures locally, hires locally, and proves that American-made can still compete in a global market.
Consumer Advocacy
After 25+ years in the industry, Robert knows every trick in the mattress sales playbook — and he is here to help consumers cut through the noise.
Suggested Questions
Copy-paste ready for your show prep. Robert has detailed answers for all of these.
You have been in the sleep industry for over 25 years — what is the biggest change you have seen in how people think about mattresses?
Most people spend a third of their life in bed. Why do you think so few take the time to really research their mattress?
Walk us through what actually goes into building a quality mattress — what should consumers be paying attention to that they typically ignore?
You manufacture in the USA at a time when most competitors have gone overseas. How do you make that work economically?
Tell us about landing the Apt. partnership. What did that process look like for a smaller manufacturer?
What are the top three mistakes people make when buying a mattress?
There is a huge price range in the mattress market — from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. How should a consumer think about value?
Sleep technology is everywhere now — smart beds, sleep trackers, weighted blankets. How much of it actually moves the needle?
You founded both Sleep6 and Busby. What is the difference between the two brands and who are they each for?
If someone is waking up with back pain every morning, where do you tell them to start?
Quick Facts
25+
Years in the Industry
Chicago
Headquarters & Factory
100%
USA-Made Materials
Apt.
National Retail Partner
2
Brands: Sleep6 & Busby
10yr
Product Warranty
Downloads
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Let's Make Great Radio
Robert is available for podcast interviews, panel appearances, and media commentary. Reach out directly to check availability.