Hush (business)

Hush is a Canadian e-commerce company that sells sleep products. Hush is also carried by traditional retailers, including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Nordstroms in the United States.[1] The company was founded in January 2018.

Hush Blankets
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryMattresses
Founded2018
FoundersAaron Spivak, Lior Ohayon
Area served
Canada, United States
ProductsWeighted blankets, mattresses, and mattress accessories
ParentSleep Country Canada
(2021-present)
Websitewww.hush.ca

In 2021, the company was acquired by Sleep Country Canada in a deal structured to be completed over 3 years.

History

It was in 2017 when Aaron and Lior first met, created the company designs, and invested around $100K to get the business off the ground. Lior noticed the value of weighted blankets (between three and five times heavier than your standard comforter) while working at a summer camp for special needs children.[2] Lior was convinced people without mental disorders (attention or sensory) could also benefit from the blanket’s deep pressure touch (DPT) which the company claims reduces cortisol, increases serotonin, and increases melatonin.[3][4] This led them on a mission to try to improve sleep for adults across the globe while reducing stress and insomnia.[5][6]

Hush launched a kickstarter in March 2019 raising over $1.5M in 30 days, making them the tenth largest campaign in Canadian history.[7] Hush sold 10,000 blankets in the first 15 months.[8] In the early stages, the company ran through a bit of trouble due to seasonal demand during the off-season period.

Hush appeared on the 14th season of Dragons' Den in October 2019, earning "Most Epic Pitch" of the season after a bidding war ensued among the 6 dragons. Aaron and Lior were initially willing to give up 10% of the company for $400K, but ultimately negotiated with Lane Merrifield and Jim Treliving to agree on 8% at $400K (adding an extra $500K to the valuation). However, their deal did not come to fruition after the show.[9]

In early 2020, Hush became an official Weighted Blanket sponsor for the Montréal Canadiens.[10][11] Hush has been featured on Good Morning America[12] and Huffington Post.[13]

Hush projected $20M in sales in 2020, and $50M in 2021. In 2022, Hush opened a its first pop-up retail location at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre.[14]

Acquisition

In October 2021, Sleep Country Canada acquired a 52% stake of the company and will take over the residual 48% stake for an undisclosed amount in stages over the course of 3 years.[15][16][17][18][19]

Products

Hush started with a standard weighted blanket and gradually expanded the product line to offer matresses.[20][21][22][23] Hush developed a fabric used in cooling blankets for hot sleepers, claiming to to alleviate night sweats and hot flashes.[24][25][26][27]

Hush blankets are made with non-toxic glass microbeads which give them their heavy weight and better regulate temperatures,[28] as opposed to large plastic pellets used by competitors. The pellets are sewn within tiny segments in the cotton interior to bring out an evenly spread weight distribution.

Awards

Donation program

Hush has a GiveBack program where the company donates one in every 10 products sold to several charities - such as homeless shelters and to adults with disabilities - across Canada and the United States.[31]

References
  1. "Interview With Hush Co-Founder Aaron Spivak". www.retail-insider.com. August 3, 2023.
  2. "Blanket entrepreneurs give back to the community". August 15, 2019.
  3. "Hush Iced, a Cooling Weighted Blanket Perfect for Summer, Launches on Kickstarter". March 13, 2019.
  4. "Get a head start on the holiday season with these unique and luxury gifts". November 24, 2021.
  5. "Toronto Startup Grows and Gives Back With Weighted Blankets". October 19, 2019.
  6. "4 Essentials to Help Reduce Stress". March 31, 2022.
  7. "Hush Iced, a Cooling Weighted Blanket Perfect for Summer". www.businessinsider.com. March 13, 2019.
  8. "One company's video marketing strategy that helped rack up $6 million in sales". November 7, 2019.
  9. "HUSH BLANKETS". October 31, 2019.
  10. "Hush becomes the official weighted blanket of the Montreal Canadiéns". 26 February 2021.
  11. "Weighted Blanket Company Sees Habs Deal As Way To Grow Brand". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. February 16, 2021.
  12. "Steals for the home". October 20, 2023.
  13. "This 25-Pound Blanket Could Help You Sleep Through The Night". May 4, 2017.
  14. "Canadian DTC brand Hush launches its first-ever pop-up store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre". November 3, 2022.
  15. "Sleep Country Canada buys controlling stake in Hush Blankets". www.cbc.ca. October 19, 2021.
  16. "Sleep Country Canada Closes Acquisition of Hush Blankets". www.newswire.ca. October 22, 2021.
  17. "Sleep Country Canada acquires majority of Hush Blankets". www.furnituretoday.com. October 19, 2021.
  18. "Sleep Country Canada Acquires Majority of Hush Blankets". www.newswire.ca. October 19, 2021.
  19. "Sleep Country Canada buying weighted blanket company Hush Blankets". www.globalnews.ca. October 19, 2021.
  20. "2021 holiday gift guide: A present for every room in the house". December 3, 2021.
  21. "10 Cyber Week Mattress Sales". November 26, 2021.
  22. "The Hush Iced Blanket is Perfect for the Warmer Months". March 25, 2019.
  23. "Hush Weighted Blanket Reviews". June 14, 2021.
  24. "I'll Be Relaxing Under My Weighted Blanket All Summer Long, Thanks to This New Cooling One". May 17, 2019.
  25. "This Cooling Weighted Blanket Is The Coolest Thing On Kickstarter Right Now". March 19, 2019.
  26. "The 7 Very Best Cooling Weighted Blankets Rejoice, sweaty sleepers: You can reduce stress and body temperature with these weighted blankets". October 17, 2023.
  27. "Father's Day 2021: The best gifts for dad this year". June 12, 2021.
  28. "The 9 Very Best Weighted Blankets "I take the greatest naps of my life with this thing."". June 22, 2023.
  29. "Excellence in Retailing Award Winners". January 1, 2023.
  30. "Forbes 30u30". Forbes. January 1, 2021.
  31. "Blanket entrepreneurs give back to the community". August 15, 2019.
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