“I am woman, hear me roar.” Helen Reddy’s iconic song topped the charts in 1972. I was nine—just old enough to be inspired by her lyrics and the belief that my gender would never hold me back. Having a mom who owned and operated a small hair salon certainly reinforced that idea. But let’s be honest: navigating the business I’ve nurtured over the past 25 years hasn’t always been an easy road.
Raising two beautiful kids while running my company was no small feat. For years, I worked late into the night after they went to bed, often burning the midnight oil until 2 AM to meet deadlines. As they grew older, my schedule evolved with their needs—school plays in the middle of the day, doctor’s appointments, teacher conferences, or cross-country trips for swim meets. I loved the flexibility, but balancing priorities was no joke. The house didn’t always stay clean, but hey, I am woman. I can roll.
Back in the early 90s, we relied on outside manufacturers to make our products. But then it happened… they started outsourcing. For me, “Made in America” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a passion. If our manufacturers wanted to move operations overseas, I decided we’d do it ourselves. And that’s how our journey into manufacturing began. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure where to start at first, but thankfully I had Cris, my right-hand lady and an expert seamstress. Together, we figured it out. I am woman, and with another strong woman by my side, we rocked it.
Over the years, I’ve noticed a recurring assumption—that my company is run by a man. At mattress manufacturing trade shows, an industry still largely dominated by men, suppliers often direct their conversations to Hans, my right-hand man and customer care superstar. It’s a constant reminder of the boys’ club mentality, where women are assumed to be assistants or receptionists. But those assumptions don’t bother me anymore; they give me insight into the industry and an opportunity to prove them wrong. I am woman. I am invincible, not invisible.
I’m no Wonder Woman, at least not on my own. Every strong woman knows her true strength comes from the people around her. My family, friends, colleagues, and loyal customers stand beside me, and with their support, I can transform into the superhero I need to be. Without them, this journey would be lonely and strenuous. I am strong, but I am stronger with others.
Like everyone else, I’ve faced my share of tragedies and setbacks over the years. When life gets muddy, I’ve learned to kick it off. And if that doesn’t work, I take off the boots and keep going. Because if I have to, I can do anything. I am woman.
-Cheryl Hahn