Thirty Under 30: Chris Slyman

By Donna Heiderstadt

Yes, Chris Slyman was one of those kids who was obsessed with The Sims. “I still think about that game today,” says the 30-year-old, who has been President of Manchester, MO-based Slyman Bros Appliances for the past two years. Chris has provided innovative leadership at his family’s 60-year-old retail business, now in its third-generation, and has emerged as a key influencer in the St. Louis community and beyond. “I’m constantly evaluating situations, finding solutions, and ensuring we’re moving in the right direction,” he says of his day-to-day responsibilities. “But my favorite part of the job is working closely with our incredible team.”

What motivates Chris? Following in the footsteps of his father, Jon. “Growing up, I watched him build something meaningful — he wasn’t just creating a business, he was establishing a strong reputation based on trust, quality, and hard work,” he says.

Chris says the word that best describes him is “resourceful,” and since he took the helm at Slyman Bros the company has expanded its business operations outside of the St. Louis area with a new showroom in Columbia, MO. Revenue has increased by more than 30% since 2022, with an expected 15% year-over-year increase for 2025. This success is a direct result of initiatives that have included a dedicated builder sales division that focused on regional home builders and property managers and has secured projects in Indiana, Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri and in 2025 supplied over 1,000 new apartments with appliances.

Chris also championed the evolution of the company’s retail experience by curating one of the largest local selections of kitchen and household appliances and securing a designation as an exclusive retailer for luxury brands such as Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Cove. He supported this by expanding Slyman Bros’ South County showroom to 10,000 square feet and its West County location with the addition of an immersive and interactive experience for customers. He also optimized the company’s online presence and logistics.

Even though his childhood sports obsession was the St. Louis Cardinals and his current sports passions are playing golf and skiing, Chris has championed Slyman Bros’ local community involvement via sponsor partnerships with both the St. Louis Youth Soccer Association and the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club. Admitting his childhood bedroom was filled with posters and memorabilia of his favorite Cardinals players, Chris says he now embraces an aesthetic that favors neutral tones and modern minimalism. “I like to keep it clean with simplicity, natural lighting, and thoughtful use of texture rather than clutter or color,” he says.

In his free time, Chris enjoys vacationing in the mountains — Montana in summer and Colorado in winter — although his must-do travel ambitions are a bit further afield: “Skiing and eating my way through Hokkaido, Japan.”