Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 12, 1990 TAG: 9004130524
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOBBIE SLOUGH SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I got a job for a company making counter tops and installing kitchens," he said. "It's something I enjoy, something I grew into."
Since he opened Kitchens Komplete last April, Baldwin has learned that he fell into the right business.
Kitchens Komplete averages about five or six remodeling jobs each month. In fact, business seems to be getting better all the time. "We've had a good winter, which is usually a slow time," says Baldwin.
Baldwin credits his location, 4820 Williamson Road, with much of his success.
"I like the Williamson Road area," he says. "There's a lot of exposure out here." Also, Baldwin, a member of the Williamson Road Area Business Association, credits much of his success to referrals and support from other Williamson Road businesses.
Currently, Kitchens Komplete employs only two other people. Much of the work is done through subcontractors. Even though the business has been doing very well in the past year, Baldwin has no immediate plans for expanding his Williamson Road shop.
"We would like to expand our services to our customers - to offer them more options," says Baldwin.
Baldwin started out in the kitchen remodeling business 20 years ago. Before he opened Kitchens Komplete, he worked independently as a general contractor and as a subcontractor. Consequently, much of his business has been through referrals and word-of-mouth.
"The toughest thing has been trying to get my name out and letting people know what we have to offer. I've been doing a lot of advertising in the last year, just to make people aware of who I am and where I am."
According to Baldwin, one of the strengths of his business is the versatility of the services he provides.
"A customer can come in and we'll do the whole thing" or partial remodeling. "We coordinate with whatever they've got to work with."
Customers can come to Kitchens Komplete looking for cabinets and counter tops, or for a completely new kitchen, appliances and all. "Everything from plumbing and design to counters and cabinets."
Baldwin says that since he opened Kitchens Komplete he has found that there is a great deal of support for small businesses in the valley.
"People in the area want to deal with small businesses - people like themselves. Small business in the valley has a lot of potential."
by CNB