The Clean Bedroom

Chris Chamberlin is, simply put, a wonderful human being. I knew I could trust Chris from the first time I talked with her on the phone. She helped us develop the first version of our web site, and she has been with us ever since. The Clean Bedroom was indeed our first dealer.

At first Chris had only an Internet store, then in early 2008 she opened a beautiful store in Kittery, Maine. She is not far from the famous outlets, but The Clean Bedroom is a whole lot classier. The store carries Green Sleep and Royal-Pedic, but Savvy Rest is their best-seller (according to Chris, and we know she always speaks the truth!).

There have been times over the past four years when the economy dipped, and Chris was always there to lean on. When we were unable to ship something on time, Chris was always very understanding. Chris always comes through. She has the kind of character that you want in a business partner—honesty, steadiness, compassion, and forgiveness. Sometimes forgiveness is the most important quality because, heaven knows, everyone makes mistakes.

Although we do our best to travel to meet our dealers personally, Chris and her teddy-bear husband Ted Duquette beat us to it. They came to Virginia in 2007 to meet us and check out our production facilities.

Ted is an award-winning designer and professional photographer. Chris and Ted have over 15 years of home furnishings marketing experience—working for national brands as well as Boston-based retailers such as Jordan’s Furniture. This experience has helped them build their own brand and be as successful as they are.

Chris says that Ted is the brains behind the store concept. He developed the brand image, designed the web site and showroom, approves the business plans, and heads up the packing room, among other things. Chris said, “He'll also tell you he's the janitor, love interest and therapist to the vice president--me.”

When I went to Kittery in the summer of 2008, I was impressed by the area and in particular with what Chris and Ted had done with their store. The store is so clean with wood floors and clear lighting. The layout and the organic bedding products and the clear lighting are a reflection of Chris’s own nature.

Although they don’t have as much time as they’d like, they regularly travel to Cambridge, MA and New York to see their sons and have lunch and window shop. They also like to take off to Florida visit relatives and get a break from Maine’s long winters. They also like to hang out at home, although more in warmer weather. You’d be hard pressed to find a nicer couple.

In 2006 they hired Jennifer Thibodeau as our Product Manager, in 2007

Katie Poole as Troubleshooter and Laurel Folger as Accounting Manager. Ailsa Wu is their webmaster and has been with them since they opened in 2004. Rachel Button was hired as Customer Service rep in July 2008.

We are happy and very grateful to have Chris Chamberlin and Ted Duquette and The Clean Bedroom team as our partners as we roll into 2009.