In this episode, meet Frédéric Aubé, founder and CEO of Cozey, a fast-growing furniture brand known for its modular, easy-to-assemble pieces. Fred shares how his experience as a student inspired Cozey's creation and how his entrepreneurial background shaped the company's mission. He discusses Cozey's rapid growth in North America, the transition from direct-to-consumer (DTC) to physical retail, and the critical strategies behind its success. Fred also explores the evolving role of physical stores for DTC brands and offers advice for independent retailers navigating today's competitive market. Don't miss this insightful conversation on innovation and entrepreneurship!
In this episode, meet Frédéric Aubé, the visionary founder and CEO of Cozey, a fast-growing player in the North American home furnishings market. Fred’s journey began with a simple observation during his days as a McGill University student: the frustration of moving bulky furniture through tight spaces in Montreal apartments. Inspired to make life easier for urban dwellers, he launched Cozey in 2020 with a mission to create modular, easy-to-assemble furniture that combines style with convenience.
Fred shares his story, from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to founding Cozey right before graduating, all while navigating the challenges of starting a business during the pandemic. We delve into what sets Cozey apart in the crowded home furnishings space, from its customer-centric design to its commitment to quality.
Fred also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Cozey’s growth strategy, including the transition from a purely direct-to-consumer (DTC) model to physical retail with the recent openings in Toronto and Vancouver. He explains how this shift has enhanced customer engagement and influenced Cozey’s plans for future expansion.
Looking ahead, Fred discusses the evolving role of physical retail for DTC brands and shares his advice for independent retailers competing in today’s bifurcated retail environment. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of retail.
Tune in for a deep dive into how Cozey is redefining the home furniture experience!
About Cozey
Cozey | New York City Pop-Up
Cozey, a North American leader in home living and furniture solutions, is excited to announce the arrival of its first-ever retail space in the United States through its opening of a pop-up location in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood on October 10, 2024.
Located at 210 Lafayette Street, the 12,000 square-foot, two-storey pop-up is designed to be fully accessible and pet-friendly. The showroom floor is furnished with Cozey’s expanding line of beautiful and innovative furniture including its original and newest modular sofas (the Atmosphere and Luna, respectively), accent chairs, smart shelving units, coffee tables, side tables, and more.
The NYC pop-up comes just months after the arrival of Cozey’s inaugural brick-and-mortar location which opened in Toronto in March of this year, followed closely by pop-ups in two other major Canadian cities, Montreal, and Vancouver.
New York is the latest spot in a series of exciting milestone store openings for Cozey as it continues to strategically expand its physical presence across North America and blend the ease of online shopping with the benefits of in-store shopping, continuing its commitment to constantly improve customer experiences.
Location: 210 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012, USA
About Frédéric
Frédéric Aubé's journey into the furniture industry began with a simple yet profound observation during his time at McGill University, where he faced the common struggle of moving bulky couches through tight spaces in small Montreal apartments. This experience sparked an idea: why not create a sofa that was not only easy to assemble without tools but also customizable and adaptable to changing needs for the modern, urban lifestyle? He quickly turned this insight into reality, launching Cozey in June 2020, just months before graduating McGill University. Under Fred’s leadership, Cozey has become known for its modular, stylish, high-quality, easy-to-assemble furniture and its commitment to customer-centric design and experience.
Fred’s vision extends beyond business success; he aims to make Cozey the world’s largest furniture retailer while maintaining a focus on exceptional customer experiences and community contribution. His journey from a student struggling with bulky furniture to the CEO of a pioneering company is a testament to his innovative thinking, resilience, and dedication to making life simpler and more comfortable for his customers.
Prior to founding Cozey he held positions at Tonus Capital and served on the board of Bestar. Frédéric Aubé attended McGill University from 2017 to 2020, where he pursued an Honours Economics & Finance, B.A. degree. Fred also played four years in the Canadian Hockey League amassing over 100 points in 250 games.