Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Olsen.
Mark, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I went to college at Eastern Illinois University for construction management, hopefully, to land a job with a big builder. Unfortunately, the recession hit when I graduated. My Dad owned Krumwiede his whole life and I worked on the roof in the summers, my Dad offered a labor job back on the roof (knowing I went to college so I wouldn’t have to roof). Since there were no job offers for construction management, I started looking at the roofing/replacement industry as an opportunity to build on. My brother and I both were working in the company and notice the reputation we had and knew we can make a large impact. My brother Greg and I had invested in a company that helps teach small businesses how to run and operate a successful business as well as assigns us a business coach. We started to focus more on the customer experience and how to nurture the customer from start to finish. There is a lot of exterior remodeling companies out there and we needed to be different and bring a whole different package to the customer. Once we were able to develop a wonderful remodeling experience with Krumwiede, but we realized by developing an outstanding customer experience we had to develop a strong company culture that lives and breaths for the customers. Since four years ago 70% of our customers are from Referrals and Previous customers. I’d have to say this is not by luck but by continuing to provide nothing but the best customer service and providing value and quality to our customers. My brother Greg and I are growing this business and expanding all around the Chicago land area. Now 3rd generation family owned and growing strong!
Has it been a smooth road?
The large changes and rapid growth has not been a smooth road. Trying to develop new policies and procedures in a 65-year-old company who was run by my Dad was very difficult for him. Bring in new industry standards, new employees increases overhead which in return increases prices. These changes were all for the better and success of the company. My Dad was strong enough to allow my brother and I to take full control of the business and by doing that we grew 20% within 2 years. Being in business is not a 9-5 job, you have to live and breath it every day. We run into problems every day whether its employees, customers distributors, but its how we handle to the issues. I always try to keep in mind for every event we need to recognize our emotions because that will always determine the outcome of the situation.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Krumwiede Roofing and Exteriors story. Tell us more about the business.
We are in business to create lifelong customers through outstanding customer service. We provide nothing but high performing products in Residential roofing, siding, windows and gutters with lifetime workmanship warranties. If a customer believes and desires quality and value, Krumwiede Roofing and Exteriors is the fit for you. We are woven into the fabrics of our community since 1953, now being a 3rd generation family owned and operated. There is no one out there like Krumwiede Roofing and Exteriors we guarantee it.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Krumwiede Roofing and Exteriors will be expanding locations to the southeast Wisconsin, northwest Chicago suburbs. You will be seeing Krumwiede on TV, Billboards, Radio and in your mailbox within the next 10 years. We are here to change the replacement/remodeling industry to a more positive experience as well as providing careers for future employees to hang their hats.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1330 W Irving Park Rd, Bensenville, Il 60106
- Website: www.k1953.com
- Phone: 630-595-8020
- Email: marko@k1953.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krumwiederoofing/
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