Shawn David Nelson

Photo of Shawn David Nelson

Shawn David Nelson (born October 29, 1977, in Utah) is an American entrepreneur. He founded the furniture company LoveSac, originally based in Salt Lake City, Utah.[1][2]

Career

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Nelson graduated from the University of Utah.[3] In 1995, he made his first "not-bean bag" from shredded foam camp mattresses. Nelson founded LoveSac in 1998.[4][5] He hired a few college friends who helped him produce the "sacs" until Limited Too ordered 12,000 Lovesacs. Nelson obtained the requested fabric from a factory in China.[5][6][7] He opened the first retail location in 2001.[4][8] Nelson was given the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2003.[9] In 2005, Nelson appeared on Richard Branson's The Rebel Billionaire and won a $1 million investment.[2][6][8] He spent three months following the show as acting president of Virgin companies.[10][11] Nelson expanded his company's products to include the only changeable sectional couch in the world.[12][13]

Shawn won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the "Emerging Entrepreneur" category in 2003. Nelson also appeared on Young Entrepreneur Society in 2009.[14] He spoke at the Economy and You forum at Western Connecticut State University in 2015.[1] Nelson earned his master's degree in strategic design and management from Parson's New School for Design in 2015. He also became a part-time instructor for the school. That same year, he appeared on the CNBC show Make Me a Millionaire Inventor.[15] In July 2015, Nelson gave the keynote address at the 40 Under 40 awards for Fairfield County, Connecticut.[16]

On June 26, 2018, Shawn Nelson, Founder & CEO of LoveSac, Inc, announced its initial public offering and shares of the Company's stock began trading the following day on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LOVE”.

Personal life

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Nelson resides in St. George, Utah, with his wife Tiffany and four children.[1][13][17]

Hobbies

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Nelson is an avid motorcyclist riding dirtbikes, adventure bikes, and more. Nelson has a passion for older classic cars and enjoys restorations, charitable donations, and giving back to the community. Nelson has spent most of his life mentoring and coaching fellow entrepreneurs in their businesses and also elects to invest in those he finds innovating.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Dirk Perrefort (October 13, 2015). "Lovesac CEO on tap for economic forum at WCSU". News Times. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Shawn Nelson". Famous Mormons. July 28, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  3. ^ Zoran Orlov. How you can reach wealth by using proven millionaires ideas. Zoran Orlov. ISBN 9789539590909.
  4. ^ a b Alexander Soule (December 23, 2014). "Lovesac kicks back in new HQ". Stamford Advocate. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Melanie Spring (June 16, 2015). "Want to Be an Entrepreneur? Get Off the Couch". Entrepreneur. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Jennifer Johnson (August 25, 2015). "Utah native and Lovesac founder's life is reflected in his furniture". Desert News. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  7. ^ "Shawn Nelson's Series of Miracles". Worthwhile. July 2005.
  8. ^ a b Clint Engel (September 3, 2015). "Lovesac wants to own 'couch category'". Furniture Today. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  9. ^ "Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards". Deseret News Utah. June 19, 2003. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  10. ^ Jordan Burke (May 2, 2005). "Real Life Trumps Reality TV". Business Week.
  11. ^ Darren Wendroff. "Chairman of the Board". Wakeboarding.
  12. ^ Clint Engel (September 1, 2015). "At Lovesac, the couch is the new kitchen table". Furniture Today. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Dawn Garcia (November 16, 2015). "Shawn Nelson of Lovesac". ATOD Magazine. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  14. ^ "Shawn Nelson". Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  15. ^ "Shawn Nelson on "Make Me a Millionaire Inventor"". Parsons. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  16. ^ Danielle Brody (July 7, 2015). "40 Under 40 awards honor Fairfield County achievers". Westfair Online. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  17. ^ Lovesac. "Lovesac". Lovesac.com. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
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