Kwik Kerb

Editorial Feature in August 2003 issue of Home Business Connection


Curb Appeal One man's home-based business
has become his true dream job
For many years Glenn Klingensmith worked for a North Carolina-based concrete foundation company. His job focused on heavy equipment and management at the family-oriented company, and he considered it to be as close to a "dream job" as he’d ever had. In this position, he had seniority, job security, benefits and a guaranteed paycheck that did more than just cover the bills.
So if he had everything he wanted in a job, why did he leave it?

Every company goes through changes, whether it’s growing pains, new management or restructuring. Glenn’s employer made some changes he didn’t agree with so he decided to leave. His skills were marketable enough that he was able to get another job, but that’s not exactly what he wanted. Instead Glenn wanted to start his own business, but to do so he needed money coming in, which is why he took a
part-time position in his area of expertise.

"I left the ‘dream job’ and took the next job with the understanding that it was my safety net as I was trying to get my business started," explains Glenn. "My employer knew that and was okay with it until the day he told me he needed me to work full-time."

Because of his extensive experience in the concrete industry, Glenn looked for home-based businesses in his field and after talking to friends, he investigated curb and gutter
machines.

"That’s when Kwik Kerb came up in my search," he says, "and it really piqued my interest. This was a way to go into business for myself without having half a million dollars to get established and 20 employees."

Kwik Kerb’s business opportunity is the use of concrete edging equipment to provide decorative and
customized curbing to enhance gardens, driveways and any landscaped areas.
Glenn liked that Kwik Kerb wasn’t a franchise; he invested in the opportunity, received training and gets ongoing support just like a franchise, but he doesn’t have to pay royalties. With his investment, he received the complete Kwik Kerb

business package that includes all the equipment and other unique items designed to make the system work most efficiently. It also includes advertising, merchandising signs, promotional items, decals, stationery, uniforms, advertising material and artwork. Displays for use at trade shows along with a complete customer presentation portfolio are also provided.

So, Glenn left his part-time-turned-full-time job and this time he was the boss. He’s always had an entrepreneurial streak. When he was a kid, he established his own firewood route. "We lived on a farm and when I was in high school I cut, split and delivered the wood," he recalls. "I put ads in the paper to get customers."

From there, he went on to be a dairy farmer and learned construction trades from his dad, like mixing and pouring concrete. Eventually that trade led him to his job
in North Carolina.

Now he was back to being the one calling all the shots. With the training and support from Kwik Kerb and help from his wife Judy, Glenn began to build a customer base. "The typical clientele for decorative edging live in upscale housing and established neighborhoods," he states.

He attributes his success to marketing his business "24/7" and never missing an opportunity to promote it. After four years of self-employment, Glenn has


never been busier. He chooses to work most of the business on his own, doing the marketing and labor. He’s already added another unit onto his business and is considering expanding the area he covers.
"I’ve started to subcontract some of the work, but I do most of it myself. Kwik Kerb is definitely set up for you to do it all yourself; however, some people are salesmen purchasing the business to subcontract all the work and make a profit," shares Glenn. "I’m getting so busy that one of these days we’ll just make the jump for Judy to leave her job and come do the marketing and administrative work for this business."

Despite his workload, Glenn is still able to make time for his family and other interests like going to the movies and visiting out of state relatives, because he’s the boss. "I plan and schedule accordingly. The work will be

there when I get back," he says, noting that last year he and Judy escaped on a

seven-day Caribbean cruise to celebrate their 23rd anniversary.

"I couldn’t work for anyone else now," says this proud home-based business owner who now knows what a true "dream job" is. "I still get job offers and sometimes I’m curious enough to see how much they’d be willing to pay me. It’s not often that they can afford me!"

If you’d like additional information about the Kwik Kerb business information, visit www.kwikkerb.com or call them