Trent Ranburger is no longer the President and CEO of Trent Bedding.
The rumors are true. Trent Ranburger, the founder of Trent Bedding, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is stepping down from the business he built. And in doing so, he’s showing the industry that you can still be a part of your business without working in your business.
In today’s episode, Trent discusses the factors that led to his decision to transfer the reigns of the business he built from the ground up, how his initial plans changed and what’s next on the horizon for him. He also imparts some golden nuggets of wisdom that only blood, sweat and entrepreneurial tears can produce.
If you missed the episode filmed in Orlando, where Trent discussed the battle with cancer his girlfriend has endured and the impact that it has had on his family, check it out here.
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Mark Kinsley
Well your eyes fam production Furniture and Mattress. On news. huge announcement Trent ranneberger is no longer the president and CEO of Trent bedding find out who is and find out what Trent is going to do next. The DOS Marco show begins right now.
Welcome to the dose Marco show with Mark Kinsley and mark when we’re mattress and furniture leaders gathered to grow it the inside scoop to tell stories and take tequila shots. The galaxy’s greatest mattress podcast has lifted off in
Mark Kinsley
this is earth shattering news. Will the coastline of mattress land be forever altered? Trent ranneberger is no longer the president and CEO of Trent bedding. Trent we’re getting get to you just a moment. But guys, I have to tell you a quick funny story. So I’m with some friends in Nashville. And they told me this story. And just before we came on to record, I think Quinn was singing Jesus take the wheel. And it reminded me of the story. My friend told me were
Mark Quinn
like the original artists. By the way, Carrie, I sounded just like her baby,
Mark Kinsley
you even had the wig on it was a special moment on the podcast. So these my friends, friend, okay, I’m going to cut to it through these three girls go to Branson and they went to a play. And one of the girls likes to have a few drinks and live it up. And two of the girls are stone cold, sober. So they all in a sober state of mind go to the play called Jesus. And it’s a play about Jesus. And it’s supposed to be spectacular. stagecraft acting everything. So I guess two of the girls, the two sober ones, were looking up. And the whole time that the play was going on. They were talking about how hot Jesus was. And so after the play, the two girls nothing’s wrong. But go ahead. The two girls that want they wanted to go talk to hot Jesus. And they went on and on and they stood in line just to go up and fan girl hot Jesus. And the girl that likes to have a few drinks is like please just get me out of the situation. You naturally it made me think you Trent because you just wrapped up a play where you played hot pearl. And you came on on stage a couple of times and appropriately dressed from what I understand.
Trent Ranburger
Well, well, you know, I played a few characters. Yes, I played Perl birth. I was also the sheriff and the coach. So it was a it was a play called greater tuna. It’s a comedy about the third smallest town in Texas tuna, Texas. And it was written in the 80s. I think it’s it was actually written by two guys and they actually performed 20 characters themselves. And we broke it into 10 characters, or 10 actors for the 20 characters but it was a blast. It was a blast
Mark Kinsley
was one of our characters was one of the characters on stage. Hi, Jesus.
It was not hot Jesus. Thank goodness
Mark Quinn
Trey, what’s that? disrespect, Texas? I needed you.
Trent Ranburger
Oh, no, sir. I have right here in Texas. That’s right. All right. Good enough. Then if may if you find somewhere else better move.
Mark Kinsley
Not everybody for sure.
Trent Ranburger
Yeah, everybody. Right. Great, great play. It’s hilarious that it our Arts Council. They typically don’t redo plays within every 15 to 20 years. We did this one about 10 years ago. And it was it was popular and it was it. They brought a retro series this year into their productions. And the tuna grater tuna was in it. So it’s one of my favourites that I get to play characters in because I mean it’s as I just find, my biggest thing is if I can be anywhere and make someone smile or laugh, that’s the biggest drug that’s the biggest Hi, that in, you know that I can get. And to do that onstage in front of us yesterday we had a, like 104 people. So we had a good turnout, you know, for a Sunday show. I mean, it was it was it was a great time. So people got
Mark Kinsley
a question. Inquiring minds want to know is Trent ranneberger going to become a professional actor? Who is the new president and CEO of Trent bedding. What is the backstory here you want to talk about a saga a play that’s unfolding right before our very eyes. We’ve got one more Yeah. And here’s the writer director in the lead.
Trent Ranburger
It’s yeah, so I guess catch up from the last podcast in Orlando. That you know. So on that podcast, what people don’t know, is what they found out about Tiffany, and kind of life in general, life changing life altering, mind altering, you know, things happen. And, you know, at that point I was I was done like, you know, done, I was ready to just be with her. And, you know, see where things went, I was going out of business going out of business. And everyone was like, No, don’t say, oh, you know, you can sell you can do this. You can do that a lot of a lot. I was like, no, no, I don’t want I don’t want it. You know, I’m done. I’m done. So, talked with Kinsley and I mean, we’d set it up to announce that basically, at the last podcast we did from Orlando. So Justin Trumbo was there, I guess, am I moving too fast was it’s about the right.
Mark Kinsley
Let’s take a quick pause here. So just to remind people about the last podcast if you didn’t hear it, Trent told the story about his girlfriend, Tiff, and the massive struggle with cancer that she endured. And he went through with her at her side at the hospital for months and months and months, and just a devastating event. That, you know, thankfully, she’s made it out on the other side of but we talked about this a lot. Whenever these patterns of your life getting interrupted new worlds emerge, you think about things differently, you see your life differently, and you start re examining things. And I think, like you said, during that time period, you started to reexamine Is this what uh, is this where I want to be? Is this where my gifts are best used? Is this the future? And those are all, you know, reasonable things to question. And so you and I had some conversations about, you know, what, what becomes of Trent bedding, and we went really deep on that. And you were convinced for a fair amount of time that that’s what needed to happen until we were almost up to podcast time in Orlando. And you sat down at the bar and started talking with Justin
Trent Ranburger
I was at the bar.
Mark Quinn
Who says nothing good ever came from drinkin?
Trent Ranburger
Hey, y’all, we’re just talking about Jesus getting hit and hitting on I’m just saying.
Mark Quinn
That was Kinsley, for the record God. And it was Kinsley.
Mark Kinsley
Yeah, hey, and all I was doing God was just taking I was telling a story about two of your biggest fans, apparently, their son in the Holy Spirit. One thing so they were huge fans of you.
Mark Quinn
Trent, please bail us out of this. So Justin says what?
Trent Ranburger
So I was sitting at the bar? No, no. No, we were talking and it came up. You know, literally, it wasn’t five minutes before I was getting on the podcast with you all. You all know it. Of course. I had no idea, of course. But it convinced me to give him an opportunity to show me what he could do. And I don’t know, it was just a moment of I’ve never heard it this way. I’ve never thought of it this way, you know. And I thought you know what, we’ll give it a try and see what it is. I knew it was gonna mess the podcast up and I hated that. Everything happens for a reason there is divine intervention, I’m fully unbelief and faithful of that. So I didn’t announce it. And I gave him the opportunity. And everything has just kind of dominoed or I guess we say die they’ve been put in place and you open the door when opportunity is there. You don’t have to let it in. But you at least listen to it. And it. It has truly because I’ve said that for years, years and years and years. You know, and it’s truly true happening right now. You know, that’s I don’t know if that’s a conjunction. Oxymoron. Siemens, I really don’t know what is the year I don’t know y’all. Y’all are the writers. I’m no,
Mark Kinsley
I’m Jackson Jackson’s what’s your function? Who knows? I mean, yeah. Raise them since his and others. Hey, I’ll tell you what, let me let me let me add a finer point to what you’re saying. Because we I’ve been part of these conversations. I have a little bit different perspective. But I believe everything was laid out just like you said, and it was this divine moment of intervention. And you were supposed to be in Orlando, you were supposed to be confronted with that decision to announce that you were going to make a change in direction you were supposed to be on that podcast and you were supposed to sit down at that bar me just then. And when you talk to Justin, all of a sudden, he presented things in a different way. And I remember debriefing with you and him about what that conversation was like. And he said, Don’t shoot the cow, if it’s still given off milk, you know, just just don’t be the farmer that’s feeding it, you know, hire smiles to feed the cow. And I think that’s so important of a point is, you know, how do you put yourself in a position as a business owner, sometimes, where you’re not working in the business, if you’re working on the business, you’re putting your unique talents into play. And I remember this other thing that really came up after this, Trent was, you’ve always said this, it’s a gift and a curse, how locally famous you are in Bowling Green, Kentucky, you can stand in line to get a Subway sandwich and sell a mattress. And I remember telling you, Trent, you’ve spent millions of dollars at this point in advertising over the 25 years, you’ve been doing this, don’t expect for you to go off TV and it to stop, you’re going to be 10 years down the road if you sell this business standing in line, and people will want to buy mattresses from you. Because that’s how ingrained Trent bedding is in people’s minds. So even if you want it to get out of the business, have a break whatever it was, at that time, you would not have that break publicly, it would still be there because you’ve built yourself up so much in such a memorable way over the years that I would I would promise you, there’s a huge wake to that, that doesn’t disappear just because the boat leaves the lake.
Trent Ranburger
I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you
Mark Quinn
in building on what Kinsley said, so therefore, right? If you momentum Trent, right, then the opportunity for you to not bail on that but you know, you know, create an opportunity for someone else. And even at ourself, right in so talk to us, Trent, you know, what was the? What was the deciding factor? You know, maybe you can like frame what’s actually going to happen? And then tell us a hey, how you feel about
Trent Ranburger
it. I feel amazing, amazing. Amazing. Now, it’s, it’s, it’s an opportunity that has unfolded and put itself in place, by moving me into the owner founder position, which I honestly, I mean, I didn’t go to school for business. You know, I’ve just done my business, basically, you know. And so, he explained, just brought it to my attention, become an owner founder work on the marketing, keep the door swinging. Philanthropy, nonprofits, you know, community events, you know, be that in the business, is it called owner founder? Is it called? I don’t know, I don’t know, Chief Marketing worker bee. I don’t know, what is what it’s called. But, you know, that’s, that’s what I’m gonna do. And, and, you know, Brian Talley is the new president and CEO, by the way, he’s been with us before, came back. And it’s, you know, everything happens for a reason,
Mark Quinn
he tries to tell us about him a little bit like what makes him the guy in your mind and in your heart, because this is, this is a child, you’ve helped, you know, your business, right? You’ve developed that business and it’s like a child, right? You’ve got this thing that you love, and you’ve put all this effort into So, you know, for you to be okay, handing it to someone in the sense and letting them kind of take the reins of that part of leadership. He must be a pretty, pretty special guy.
Trent Ranburger
He is he’s, he’s special in a lot of ways. You know, a lot, a lot of ways. A I mean, he’s just, he’s just a great guy. He’s a great man. He’s a great father. He’s a great husband. He’s just a great all around, guy. No, he’s a pastor. So I mean, he’s just, he’s just, he’s just great. And you’re also a, he’s a brother Mason. We’re both members of a Masonic Lodge, different lodges, but Masons are Masons. And so, I mean, you’ll, we’ve got a lot of connections. And he likes he’s been there before. He was in basically management before, you know, when he left, and he left for his free passion, which is radio. So he loves the radio. He was a DJ. He is a DJ. So I mean, which can tie into things like this for us a trend betting you know, he he brings more knowledge to the table of other things that I don’t know. And I don’t have. So you know, get get people that are But no things other areas more than you. So. And I know. God said, so now, it was, it was I mean, he was one of those things. I mean, it’s, there’s a whole nother podcast as to Brian and why and the whole years of everything, like I could take up another 2030 minutes on just him. So I just, you know, I believe it’s right. Having faith. And he’s the guy. So watch out, I apologise moving forward for my vendors, because y’all got to deal with me no more. I’m just, I’m just over here marketing what he by? No, I’m still gonna be very involved, of course, because it is my baby. But he’s, we’ve got a plan. And it’s a it’s a it’s applying. And we’ve got goals. And so watch out. I’m not going to give goals because you know, as President CEO, I’ll allow him that talking time of his goals moving forward. But as of July, Warren will technically as of the day this is released, he’s president and CEO, but technically, July when I’m looking at me, like, like, I’m looking at a calendar, but because I am, but
Mark Kinsley
sort of going back from this, going back on this a little bit that, okay, we want to, on behalf of the fan, and the dose Marcos audience in this community. Congratulations, Brian. I mean, yeah, it is a it’s a huge honour, especially considering, you know, the, the iconic status that I believe Trent has reached, for you to be able to step in and serve in this new way, and to be able to support Trent in him allowing himself to move on in this way. So his talents can be more further realised and maximised. And this moment in his life can can unfold in the way it needs to unfold. And, and I think, for anybody listening out there, you know, if you’re hanging on to something, and you’ve got people around you, you can give a chance you can develop, or if your heart is just screaming at you to do something differently. I think a lot of people over the past couple of years, heard that call. And they realised, hey, I got to do something different. My life’s getting more tight, my circle is getting more tight, I’m not going to wait, I had to wait long enough, whether it’s going on vacation or getting married, or changing the way that your business operates. So i Congratulations to Brian. And thank you, Brian, for your service to the community into this industry and to Trenton and his family.
Mark Quinn
You know, I want to add something to that mark. I don’t know. I wish I could remember at the moment, but someone was talking about they had a near death experience. They went to the next level, right? They went to heaven, they had this sense of dying and going to heaven and then coming back and you’ve seen books about that stuff. But anyway, their account of that was from heaven, you look down on earth. And the biggest takeaway for her was that you look at life happening on Earth. And it’s like a play. So this fits perfectly with your recent play you’re in and the things unfolding now. But you’re the writer of that play, you’re the director of that play, you are the actor of that play, you are the producer that handles the budgets, you are all of those that you’re the promoter, right? It is your play, to do with what you want. So if you don’t like the script, rewrite the script, if you don’t like the actors in the scene, get rid of the actors and and when you really think about it, like that’s it right. And what I love about where you are, is you said you know what? Nope, I know what I want to do. I know I have this new look at the meaning of life. Because of the stuff that I was going through. I wanted to see that last act different than where it’s going. Now. I want out of the groove that I’m in and you made the frickin decision. And I love that you did it and I love I can tell you know in our past conversations, Kinsley Couldn’t you tell like you could see it with trends, the stress really in the anguish of not wanting to leave a business that he built, but at the same time serving that need he had inside of making the decision to do something that was right for him and his family. So anyway, I know it was a tough call. I know that it was a big process to get where you are so grateful that you kind of shared it and really the point of all of it is for anyone listening to be inspired by some of it because if you’re sitting there listening to the show, and you’re kind of at a crossroads there you know looking at what Trent it I think he tells you that you got it you got to move on it and in own where you’re at and where you’re headed.
Trent Ranburger
And and But, you know, the thing is, and I’ve said for years opportunity knocks, right? You always open the door to listen. You don’t have to let it in. If I don’t take the time to listen to Justin. That moment in life it’s over. And it take every opportunity. Just listen. That’s another takeaway. Just listen. Give them the opportunity. You don’t know anybody’s gotta say you don’t guess. So? I had that. Yes.
Mark Kinsley
Well, Justin, walking around the betting conference, like a little angel here. You know, just gosh, I think at this point, he, he may be coming off stage and have a couple of people that be his biggest fans coming up to him and be like, you know, hot top, Justin? Yeah. No, I can’t let it go.
Mark Quinn
In the mix, that’s good.
Mark Kinsley
You know, hey, if you’re walking off stages, Pearl, but let’s just say that you put on a play Trent. And let’s just say that it was a saga, just steeped in ups and downs and dramas around the mattress industry. And you were the lead character and you stepped off stage. And there were two people in the audience that wanted to come up and fanboy you it would be this guy
Mark Quinn
and this guy.
Mark Kinsley
Were your biggest fans,
Mark Quinn
I think. I’m glad I didn’t miss that moment. There was a lot of pressure in that kid’s life. But I’m glad you had faith that I would be there for you.
Mark Kinsley
That was that everybody can give yes and
Trent Ranburger
good. Then I will buy you all some DVDs of the play.
Mark Kinsley
Wait, wait, did you have to get a DVD player trip?
Mark Quinn
To the Smithsonian and watch it.
Trent Ranburger
Yeah, I mean, yeah, yeah. So
Mark Kinsley
can you send me a YouTube link? actually send us a link. We’ll put it up on the fam.
Trent Ranburger
I promise. I’m just gonna try to get a copy of it. I don’t know how they’re gonna do it. So we’ll see how that operates. But yeah, as soon as I get a copy, I’ll get it. All right. Oh, hold up. I was Franklin Simpson Community Arts Council. We got to give them brah Okay.
Mark Kinsley
All right. All right. Drs.
Mark Quinn
Same question for both of you before we go, Trent. If there was a play about Trent ranneberger in your life, who’s who’s the role who’s the leading actor playing your role? Little Trent. Cop Out. Totally. doppelganger. We know it’s got to be you
Mark Kinsley
don’t have a doppelganger. You do.
Trent Ranburger
Who would play me? Yeah. Matthew McConaughey. Me too. Oh. All right. All right. All right. All right. All right.
Trent Ranburger
That’s good. I like that. Kinsley you
Mark Kinsley
know me, I gotta go McConaughey for me to who for you.
Mark Quinn
I think Bradley Cooper. I just love him as an actor and I think he could play older you get to my age. So
Mark Kinsley
I was gonna say him or Zach Galifianakis either one for you.
Trent Ranburger
Is Fabio’s still acting.
Mark Kinsley
He’s got to be around
Mark Quinn
that God play me man. That’s that is a real like, I’m humbled that that you would pick someone of his stature to play my role because I would never have gone that high. Honestly. I was thinking Cooper. He’s got nine Academy Awards. That was enough right? Or or nominations he doesn’t have them but I just heard a podcast
Mark Kinsley
Trent Fabio is still around. If you go to Amazon and you try to buy our book, come back to bed just type in come back to bed and the books that show up. They did a romance novel so I think he’s still out there we tend to get mixed up with them quite often.
Mattresses
Mark Quinn
Well, Trent, we love you man. So glad you’re on the path you’re on. Hey listen, we wish you the best. And we hope that it turns out exactly like you you want it to and for everyone listening so glad that you’re here and these are some of the episodes that are so great the unexpected outcome which is to hear someone else’s story so much to learn from all of that and we want you to share it with everyone give us a review if you don’t mind wherever you listen to the podcast iTunes or the green one Spotify wherever your your
Mark Kinsley
green home. And don’t forget guys, we got our fam meet up. So it’s happened at 4pm Coming up at Las Vegas market so Trent’s gonna be there. So four o’clock PM, Sunday, June sorry, Sunday, July 24. So 4pm July 24 in the Englander space that C 1596 John Sit down, see 1596 We’re going to be there. We’re going to toss a few back we’re going to have a little fun. Trent might be dressed up and some are full regalia if you could coordinate organise that for us little Trent
Trent Ranburger
might be there too. Oh
Mark Quinn
well, we’ve never got to meet a little train person so don’t send me with a good time. Me there. Oh, he called me. Oh boy. lt there we go Trent and take him there. Is he old enough to drink tequila with us or no?
Trent Ranburger
Yeah, well, no, neither am I. But we both will act older when we get there just long enough to drink tequila.
Mark Kinsley
Okay, if it’s a safety issue, we have indestructible dose Marcos tequila shot glasses for you. So don’t worry if that was the issue. You’re not going to chip your face. So you’re going to be good we’re good. Hey, Trent. Love you brother man. Happy for ya. Thank you I’m gonna see you guys all soon join us like I said four o’clock PMC 1596. On Sunday at market and we’re gonna throw him back with a fam meet up and in the meantime between now and then be well so lots of mattresses. Here’s to great sleep,
Mark Quinn
and living your best life. Cheers.
