Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Galow.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Joseph. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was young, I always enjoyed building things from nothing. Eventually, I settled on woodworking as my main passion. During high school, I mostly build book cases, cabinets, and other small projects. I always liked the idea of taking a lot of small pieces and putting them together to create something beautiful and functional. When I complete a project for a customer today, I feel the same sense of satisfaction and pride as I did when I built my first closet. Although it took almost ten years after I graduated high school to start up my business, I never stopped building projects for my family and friends in order to gain more practice and experience. When I moved to Wheeling, I met a neighbor who also happened to be a wood worker. The two of us became fast friends, and quickly realized that the spelling of our last names was only one letter apart. We decided that it must be fate, and that was the beginning of our company. We worked together for about a year, until an opportunity arose for him for a business opportunity out of state. I then decided to buy his share of the company, and have been the sole proprietor of the Closet Creator ever since. Nowadays, I compete with some of the largest closet companies in the area, and am proud to say I am still here and going strong thirty years later. My business hours are, and always have been, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM, seven days a week. I work when my competitors do not, and do not foresee retiring anytime soon. I can only hope that a younger version of myself will see this, and be inspired by all that I have done, and maybe even buy the company from me and take it into the future. Until then, I will continue to create and do what I love.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not everything has always worked out as I had planned, and I have overcome many struggles throughout the journey. From having two divorces, raising two children as a single father, and the constant roller coaster of the economy, things have not always been easy for me. As they grew older, my two children played important roles in helping me to ensure the business ran smoothly, from answering phones to setting appointments, or helping with installs and larger jobs. Though things have gotten tough, I have always figured out a way to get past the obstacle, as well as learn from it in order to prevent the same issue from happening again.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Closet Creator – what should we know?
I specialize in building custom closets and storage spaces. After each project is completed, I leave behind something that will help my client to not only be more organized, but also more efficient in their daily life. Of all the projects I have completed, children’s closets have always been a favorite of mine for a few reasons. I have always enjoyed the idea of building something to not only hold toys and clothing, but something that I know they will continue to use through their adolescence and into their adult years as they, and their needs, grow and change as a person. I am best known for being on time and my customer service. I am a very personable businessman who treats clients as if they are a neighbor or close friend, instead of simply a paycheck. I feel that since I am the owner of the company, it is important that I am the one who meets face to face with my clients in order to better assess their needs for the project. I have personally met with over 97% of the customers who have used the Closet Creator in the past thirty years, and pride myself in knowing that my customers can trust me on a personal level. I am willing to do things that other companies don’t, including simple tasks like helping to clean out a garage or unloading a moving truck. I see my customers for who they are, as everyday people, and enjoy knowing that my customers can count on me to help whenever possible, even if it is not necessarily my area of expertise. After a project is completed, I will often take unwanted clothing or items to donation centers instead of simply letting them be thrown out.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Over the years, I have had the help of my friends and family in different roles throughout the advancement of the company. A good friend of mine, Mike Carson, was a sort of mentor to me in the early years of the company. Though he was a competitor of mine, we always used to joke that we were better friends than competitors. My children help me in the office as well as on job sites, as well as many other jobs in between. What has had the most impact, though, has been the customers over the years who have given referrals to friends and family, and continued to be repeat customers over the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.closetcreator.com
- Phone: 847-541-5449
- Email: closetcr@closetcreator.com
- Facebook: www.facebook/theclosetcreator
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
