Welcome again, dear readers, customers, and followers! We are on location for a very special edition of Travels with SleepSwag. From a beach house on Lake Michigan, it’s party time to celebrate some big anniversaries. Our family is gathered with a close relative for their milestone birthday, a long weekend full of outdoor activities, fine dining, and pure relaxation. We also noticed that it has been one year since our very first travelogue. What a fun journey we have taken together to chronicle our many sights and slumbers, along with sharing a few self-care tips to thrive on any adventure, at home or abroad.
And very soon, we will mark 10 years of a luxury lifestyle brand that has transformed the way we sleep. Normally I would pack my classy black and white polka dot sleep mask for vacation, but this momentous occasion calls for a similar one in red, just like that first Midnight Minnie we had received in the early days of SleepSwag. What better way to snooze than catching those Z’s in style, especially after all the birthday festivities! To recognize Susan and her company’s achievement, I’ll go deeper into why we are such huge fans of SleepSwag and the inspirational woman behind it. We will also commemorate her successful decade with a community toast at the end, a fitting tribute in true SleepSwag fashion.
I know. I have shared my SleepSwag story already, on top of the many testimonials and reviews here, there, and everywhere. So what else can I possibly say that hasn’t been covered in the five previous editions of this blog? What is it about these products that keeps us coming back as loyal customers? And how did we become avid supporters of this woman-owned small business? Well let me explain some more…
I have worn a sleep mask throughout my adult life, having tried almost every kind out there. It started in grad school when I would occasionally wear a cheap satin sleep mask, the classic blindfold-style with those harsh, elastic bands that dig into your ears. A sleep mask eventually became a part of my everyday routine as a shift worker, so I upgraded to a popular contoured one that was lightweight and easy on the eyes…until I realized that it looked like a bra velcroed around my head! And so my quest for the best sleep mask would continue, long after my time on night shifts.
Years went by and after buying just about every sleep mask from Bed Bath and Beyond, I started looking online for a silk version that felt just right. Many of those masks came from a small shop in San Francisco, but their delicate lacy bands would quickly stretch out and lose their fit. That shop went out of business, which led me to a New York boutique that made a large silk sleep mask used by many celebrities. With plenty of facial coverage, it became my go-to sleep mask for a while, even though I found the band to be uncomfortably tight. Long story short and dozens of sleep masks later, I just couldn’t find one that I loved.
All of these sleep masks were missing the same essential things. It really came down to just three simple yet important features that I wanted for a deeply luxurious rest. For one thing, they all had bands that didn’t work for me. Whether it was velcro, elastic, or scrunchie, they were either too loose and slipping off at night, or they were too tight, making it harder to relax. Another big issue: none of these sleep masks gave me the total darkness that I desired and needed. They were either too thin for a bright room, or they would allow light to sneak under the mask. My endless attempts to pinch and adjust those sleep masks by my nose were always futile, leaving me helpless to the steady glow of streetlights and alarm clocks.
I also couldn’t find one that looked good on me. Mostly designed for function and utility, many sleep masks were too small for my face or they were simply too plain and practical to be stylish. Others made me look like a bug. Some masks did have fun phrases on them, but they still lacked that chic look of luxury. It may sound silly, but appearance matters even while sleeping! Little did I know back then that there was someone in Asheville encountering many of the same problems. And fortunately for all of us, she decided to take matters into her own hands to make the best sleep mask ever.
When I first discovered SleepSwag on Instagram, I could tell that this was a different kind of brand with unique products. I was immediately drawn in by all of the airy photos, and yes, the polka dots caught my eye too! All sorts of luxurious men and women modeling their silk sleep masks. Scenic travel photos from various locations around the world. Selfies of customers looking quite happy and relaxed. Throw in Susan’s personal touch into every post, and it all felt elegantly polished, yet authentic and approachable. That led me to the SleepSwag blog and its many useful lifestyle tips to getting better sleep. One last scan of the glowing reviews and I was hooked. My wife and I had to give it a go with an order from overseas.
Much to my excitement, that polka dot sleep mask arrived, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! Our new SleepSwag had all of the sought-after features that I couldn’t find anywhere else, from the comfortably snug, wide spandex band that always kept the sleep mask in place, to the soft, sewn-in eye pillows and double cotton batting that gave me a complete blackout experience. Also, the large, beautiful silk design looked and felt even better in person.
I was amazed at all the details that went into this handmade sleep mask, all the way down to the SleepSwag logo on the band, a nice finishing touch of the highest quality. Susan and her team had somehow perfected the blindfold-style sleep mask and then took it to a whole new level! Our search was finally over, and we have ordered all of our masks from SleepSwag ever since, along with bottles of crystal sleep mist. I can’t imagine sleeping without either one, even while on travel.
That first order also left a lasting impression on us in another way. Despite some troubles with using a discount code from our location abroad, and without Susan even knowing about it, she had applied the holiday sale to our order and sent a follow-up email to let us know. Then the neatly-packed sleep mask arrived with a handwritten note and a nifty bedside notepad to jot down any to-do lists. With this kind gesture and every customer interaction that followed, Susan has been taking great care of us from the very beginning. I am pretty sure that everyone in this community feels the same way.
That genuine kindness is what makes SleepSwag truly one of a kind. Every order, every note, every photo, every post, Susan puts so much attention into helping us all get better sleep. And her excitement can be felt when customers make any mention of a restful night with SleepSwag. That kind of personal connection makes you want to be in Susan’s corner, to support her small business and its success. It’s what inspired me to start this travelogue!
Nowadays, I don’t feel the urge to try other products out there, even if bigger companies have found new ways to make a sleep mask. I don’t really want to look like an alien with giant cups over my eyes. I also don’t get the hype around what looks to be a bulky silk pillowcase wrapped over my face. Besides, I doubt any of them are made and sold with the same customer care that Susan has given to all of us. I am quite content with my SleepSwag silk sleep mask, grateful every time I slip it on at night. And whether it’s by my wife still reading in bed, or with other passengers and their bright screens on a plane, I can smile with satisfaction, knowing that I’m sleeping well and sleeping in style! I can proudly declare once again that it’s the only sleep mask that I will ever wear.
If you made it this far and are still awake, then join me in a special toast to celebrate one of Asheville’s finest small businesses. This party calls for the right attire, so grab your best pajamas. Or throw on that comfy robe if you prefer (bonus points if it’s the silk one from SleepSwag!). With your sleep mask on, let’s raise a bottle of crystal mist - Here’s to everyone at Team SleepSwag, past and present. A decade of thanks to them for making the best sleep masks out there. And most of all, here’s to Susan for taking the initiative to improve our lives with awesome products that give us a good night’s sleep. We are all happier and healthier because of her. Wishing SleepSwag many more years of success with plenty of exciting business to come!
Cheers and until next time, sweet dreams of future travels!