Reimagining Sleep in the City: Alex Ma on Skyler and the Future of Sleep Wellness in Hong Kong

INTERVIEW

In a city where apartments are compact, schedules are relentless, and sleep often takes a backseat, Alex Ma saw an opportunity to do more than just sell mattresses — he wanted to transform how Hongkongers rest. The co-founder of Skyler, a homegrown sleep-wellness brand, recalls a seemingly ordinary trip to buy a mattress in 2015 that sparked a revelation: quality sleep shouldn’t come at a sky-high price, nor should it be a logistical headache in Hong Kong’s dense urban landscape.

By combining direct-to-consumer efficiency, innovative vacuum-compression technology, and a focus on premium materials suited for humid climates, Skyler has redefined how locals experience sleep. In this conversation, Alex shares his journey from finance to sleep innovator, the challenges of educating a market new to wellness-focused bedding, and his vision for the future of sleep across Asia.

What inspired you to start Skyler in Hong Kong?

Back in 2015, my co-founder was moving back to Hong Kong from the U.S. and needed a mattress for his apartment. While accompanying him to look for a new mattress, we experienced the daunting process of mattress shopping in Hong Kong, where prices for good-quality mattresses were shockingly high, with an overwhelming choice of comfort, sizes, and materials.

We realised that mattresses were being sold at vast markups to cover the high cost of rent for prime retail storefronts and sales commissions. We also found it very difficult getting a large-sized mattress into an apartment, as many lifts were too small, meaning that we either had to pay thousands extra to deliver it up the stairs, or order two separate mattresses instead, creating an uncomfortable gap in the middle of the bed. We knew that it could be done better.

By selling online using a direct-to-consumer model, skipping wholesalers and other middlemen, we realised that huge savings could be made. We set out to develop a premium mattress that rivaled the quality of traditional luxury brands but without the expensive price tag. Meanwhile, by utilising the latest vacuum compression technology, we could also pack mattresses into a compact box for delivery, which made it extremely easy to deliver even extra-large mattresses into apartments, even if the lifts were cramped and unaccommodating.

READ: We Wanted Our Guest Bedroom to Feel Like a Retreat – So We Built a Bedding Starter Kit with Skyler

Can you share a bit about your background and how it led you to the sleep and wellness industry?

During my previous career in the finance industry, I experienced firsthand the challenge of catching quality sleep while juggling demanding schedules and an active lifestyle. This fuelled my interest in optimising sleep and eventually led to starting Skyler. Sleep is pivotal to our well-being and health, and having a consistently high-quality, restorative sleep routine can help us achieve so much more in life!

Was there a defining moment that made you realise sleep wellness was a space you wanted to innovate in?

In recent years, there have been many advancements in the sleep space, with a host of new, innovative materials and designs. These were transformative in helping people sleep better, but surprisingly, were not available in the market at the time. New mattress foams that were much more breathable than before, and the technology of compressing mattresses for shipping without affecting their structure at all, are just a few examples of what we really wanted to bring into the local market.

What has been the most surprising lesson since founding Skyler?

We were surprised by how desperate some customers were in looking for better sleep – often wanting our mattresses to be delivered immediately! Speed really matters, even for durable goods such as mattresses, and by prioritising fast delivery, we can offer next-day delivery to most parts of Hong Kong through our logistics partners.

How would you describe Skyler’s approach to sleep wellness?

At Skyler, we believe sleep is paramount to our well-being and plays a vital role in all aspects of our health. We make it a priority to provide everyone with quality sleep through our range of innovative sleep solutions, which are tailored to be loved by people of all body types and sleep preferences.

What sets Skyler apart from other sleep brands in Hong Kong or globally?

All our products are designed specifically for warm and humid climates such as Hong Kong, using materials that are particularly breathable and moisture-wicking. We also gear our products towards Asian preferences on comfort and firmness, and add small design touches to make our products easier to use and maintain.

Are there any myths about sleep or sleep products that you’d like to debunk?

Most people believe that they can catch up on lost sleep during the week by sleeping in over the weekend. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help that much. Although they might wake up refreshed after getting an extra few hours of sleep over the weekend, this feeling is often short-lived and wouldn’t truly make up for sleep lost over the entire week, as well as the effects of sleep deprivation. To enjoy better sleep quality and maintain good health, stick to a consistent bedtime and wake up at the same time every morning to keep your body clock in check.

Can you walk us through your flagship products and what makes them unique?

Our flagship product is the Skyler Luxe Mattress, designed with four premium foam layers to offer the quality and comfort of a luxury top-of-the-line mattress at a fraction of the price, providing an ideal level of firmness, support and breathability that we believe suits the vast majority of preferences. It’s the first product we launched with the brand and continues to be one of our most popular products, with over 30 engineering enhancements since the original version was released to ensure it’s still one of the best products on the market. The mattress also comes with a 100-night home trial with free returns, and a 15-year warranty for complete peace of mind.

How do you test or measure the effectiveness of your products?

Our products are tested regularly for quality and durability to ensure they meet our strict performance standards. For example, our mattresses are subject to a “Rollator” test where a 240lb (109 kg) hexagonal weight is rolled over our mattress 100,000 times to simulate more than a decade of regular use, ensuring they do not sink, sag or get damaged, even after 15-20 years of use.

Are there any innovations in the pipeline that you’re particularly excited about?

We have new mattress and bedding products in the pipeline, so stay tuned for updates!

How do you incorporate feedback from customers into product development?

We always invite customers to write reviews on our products after purchase, and welcome feedback from customers intending to return our products, so we can understand areas where we can improve and make our products better.

How does the sleep wellness market in Hong Kong differ from other regions?

Consumers in Hong Kong value sleep highly and are very much into sleep wellness. With the dense urban environment and fast-paced lifestyles, people are always looking for products that can help them improve sleep, and are open to trying new products or brands they are unfamiliar with. Due to the tight living spaces, consumers are focused on maximising space, and bedding companies here like us have to offer many more bed and mattress sizes for the Hong Kong market compared to other parts around the world.

Have you noticed any interesting trends in how Hongkongers approach sleep?

Hongkongers are some of the most sleep-deprived in the world, with almost three-quarters reporting unsatisfactory sleep quality, according to recent studies and surveys. With an average time in bed of just less than 6.7 hours, Hongkongers also rank within the lowest globally. In recent years, we have seen Hongkongers increasingly value quality sleep and making sleep a top health priority, trending towards higher quality bedding products and solutions to help them enjoy better sleep.

What challenges have you faced in educating the local market about sleep wellness?

Initially, when we first launched the brand, there were fewer resources online on sleep wellness, and people relied more on knowledge from family or friends. They were largely unfamiliar with the materials used in mattresses and other bedding products, and made it challenging for us to encourage consumers to try products such as ours, which use newer, more innovative materials compared to traditional mattresses and bedding items.

Beyond products, how does Skyler encourage better sleep habits?

As a sleep brand, we love sharing tips on helping others sleep better! We often post on social media about sleep and the latest health trends, and regularly upload blogs and guides on our website to provide advice on sleep and wellness, and help people choose bedding products that suit them best.

What is your personal sleep routine like?

As an active person with a busy work routine, I try to keep a regular sleep schedule and get in bed by 12:30am on weekdays. I aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night for sufficient recovery; however, on weekends, I tend to sleep and get up later, especially if I’m on an occasional night out.

Are there any small, everyday changes you believe can make a big difference in sleep quality?

Yes! In fact, small, consistent everyday changes often deliver the biggest improvements in sleep quality. Firstly, stick to a consistent sleep schedule – even on weekends if that’s possible. This strengthens your internal clock and keeps your body’s natural rhythms in check. Next, ensure your bedroom is optimised for sleep, i.e. cool (~20-22^oC), dark (use blackout curtains or an eye-mask), and quiet (use a fan or white noise app to mask sounds if needed). Lastly, avoid heavy meals, alcohol or intense exercise at least 3 hours before bed. Save your workout for earlier in the day and no late-night suppers!

Where do you see Skyler in 5 years?

We are working hard to launch a wider variety of new and innovative products in the sleep space, and hope to become a leading sleep brand in the region.

Are there plans to expand internationally or collaborate with other wellness brands?

Yes, as we continue to grow, we do have plans to expand internationally, and also hope to foster more collaborations with other brands in the sleep and wellness space.

How do you envision the future of sleep wellness evolving in Asia?

The future of sleep wellness looks promising and dynamic across Asia, with higher economic growth and a trending shift towards viewing sleep as playing an important role in our health and productivity. We expect consumers to increasingly look for higher quality bedding products and sleep aids, such as supplements to help improve sleep, especially those tailored for local tastes and climates. Being a tech-savvy population, we also see people becoming more attracted to sleep tech devices such as trackers, wearables, and even smart mattresses and bedding, which can allow users to tailor and personalise their sleep experience.

Location: Unit 1205, 12/F Island Beverley, 1 Great George St, Causeway Bay | Phone: 2877 8668 | Email: contact@skyler.hk | Instagram: @skyler.hk | Facebook: Skyler Mattress HK

Shop here