Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Steven Van Alen is a Dutch-American entrepreneur with a passion for business, sleep innovation, and environmental sustainability. He’s the Founder and CEO of Sleepyhead, a leading sleep brand for college students, and Chairman of Ghost Carbon, a nonprofit focused on reducing air pollution through clean energy initiatives. Known for building standout brands in overlooked markets, Steven has positioned Sleepyhead as the go-to solution for better dorm room sleep through high-quality, purpose-built products. Raised by educators and once a Special Olympics snowboarding coach, Steven continues to honor his late father—a special ed teacher who was brutally killed in 2021—by advocating for victims of violent crime and supporting inclusive causes close to his heart.
As the Founder and CEO of Sleepyhead, I take pride in our profitable company, trusted by college students nationwide for premium products and exceptional customer service. Our brand has become the industry leader in college and dorm room mattress toppers, providing tens of thousands of students with exceptional quality, comfort, and superior craftsmanship. Sleepyhead is honored to have notable investors, including the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of LoveSac, along with former executives from Coca-Cola. Additionally, we enjoy support from esteemed individuals, including board members at UPenn and influential figures associated with Mistral Equity Partners, LAZARD, Satori Capital, and Vibrant Capital. Their confidence in our brand contributes to our ongoing success. At Sleepyhead, we prioritize delivering exceptional customer service, going the extra mile to ensure a seamless and satisfying experience for students and parents. Our dedication, resilience, and passion for improving student life have allowed us to create a brand that fulfills the unique sleep needs of college students nationwide.
Van Alen's expertise spans from startups to large consumer companies. Dissatisfied with over a dozen marketing agencies, he switched to in-house operations, leading to huge ROAS increases, often over 1000%. Now, he's dedicated to applying this successful strategy to help other businesses thrive.
Ghost Carbon is a nonprofit dedicated to mitigating air pollution, noise pollution, and gasoline consumption by replacing gas-powered lawn equipment with clean, sustainable alternatives like battery and hydrogen-powered solutions in California and Arizona, driving a cleaner, quieter, and carbon-reduced future.
Virgo Plants, a reputable company specializing in plant displays, played a pivotal role in constructing stunning plant arrangements for WeWork offices located in Southern California. With meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for design, Virgo Plants transformed these workspaces into green, vibrant environments, enhancing the overall aesthetics and well-being of office communities.