Good Neighbor Podcast: Tri-Cities
Bringing together local businesses and neighbor of Tri-Cities. Good Neighbor Podcast hosted by Skip Mauney helps residents discover and connect with your local business owners in and around Tri-Cities, Tennessee.
Is your business serving the residents of Tri-Cities? Then, we need to talk! Visit gnpTri-Cities.com to schedule your free interview.
Good Neighbor Podcast: Tri-Cities
EP# 24: Transforming Chaos into Order: Paul Huxley's Journey with Klutter Killerz and Premium Storage Design
What makes Paul Huxley with Klutter Killerz a good neighbor?
Is your closet chaos driving you mad? Meet Paul Huxley, the mastermind behind Klutter Killerz, as he uncovers the secrets to designing and installing high-end storage solutions that bring order to your home. From closets to garages, Paul’s expertise has transformed countless chaotic spaces into organized havens. Learn how he transitioned from a major retailer to creating a thriving business, and why his partnership with ClosetMaid was just the beginning of an exciting journey into the world of premium storage products.
But that’s not all—Paul also clears up the biggest myths about his work, and shares how teaming up with professional organizers can lead to immaculate homes. Beyond the storage solutions, get a glimpse into Paul’s life outside of work, where he enjoys traveling with his daughter, playing golf, and ticking off bucket list items like visiting Fenway Park. Whether you’re looking to overhaul your storage space or simply enjoy engaging stories, this episode promises insights and inspiration. Don't miss out on these valuable tips and captivating tales.
To learn more about Klutter Killerz go to:
https://www.klutterkillerz.com/
Klutter Killerz
(423) 833-5425
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Skip Monning.
Speaker 2:Well, hello everybody and welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Is your closet a mess? Does your wife tell you that your closet's a mess? Is your house a mess? Well, today may be your lucky day, because I've got the pleasure of introducing your neighbor, Mr Paul Huxley, who is the owner of Clutter Killers. Paul, welcome to the show. Hey, welcome, Thank you. How are you doing?
Speaker 3:today Doing well getting up, moving around, getting ready to start my day and get business started.
Speaker 2:Here we go. Well, we are very excited to learn all about you and Clutter Killers, so why don't you start us off by telling us a little bit about your company and what you do?
Speaker 3:Well, we are Clutter Killers. We design and install custom storage spaces for homeowners, builders and remodelers. We offer premium laminate closet systems and accessories. We do closets, pantries, laundry rooms, mudrooms, home offices, entertainment centers, storage for garage systems. We even offer modular tile flooring for garages and also can be used in like home gyms and that kind of thing.
Speaker 2:Oh wow, well that I didn't realize there were businesses that would do all that. How did you get into this business?
Speaker 3:Well, I used to work for a major retailer and we parted ways back in to the end of 2005,. So in 2006, a buddy of mine and I became partners and we started looking into things that we could do. It was not so much in the neighborhood already, so we found an opportunity through Home Depot, who was the retailer I worked with. Closet Made might be an option for us, so we went out to Phoenix together and we did some research out there and we became an authorized dealer for ClosetMaid. And then we did that for several years with ClosetMaid.
Speaker 3:And then there was a company that offered specialty products for ClosetMaid and it was a gentleman that originally founded for ClosetMaid and it was a gentleman that originally founded California Closets. He did all their specialty stuff. Well, I happened to be in Phoenix and I ran into him and I asked him why I couldn't just buy direct from him, offering more SKUs, and cut out the middleman and offer a better price for my customers. So we were able to do that and we took off. And here we are, 18 years later.
Speaker 2:Wow, 18 years. Well, obviously you've been very successful with it. Are there? Are there any myths or misconceptions in your business that people have when you first visit them, or just the concept about what you do?
Speaker 3:I would say the biggest misconception comes from my name Clutter Killers. A lot of people confuse that that we come and we declutter or we help organize your home. We don't actually do that. We actually come out and design and install storage systems so you can declutter and organize your place. It just so happens, though, I work with a couple of ladies that have a business that do do that, and they're called Organizing for Life, and they offer some fantastic. They offer some great systems and stuff that they can help you with. That Might check them out if that's what you're actually looking for.
Speaker 2:Oh wow. So do you guys ever work together like on a project?
Speaker 3:Yeah, we do, we have. They have included me on a couple of projects recently where they've gotten clients and to come out and organize, declare their home, and then they've incorporated my closet systems into to help them do that Very good, very good, outside of work.
Speaker 2:What do you do for fun, paul?
Speaker 3:Well, I love spending time with my daughter. She's a junior in college. We like to travel together. We were fortunate enough this past year to take it a little adventure up through the Northeast. We went to Niagara falls and Toronto, montreal. Cato national forest got to stop at Fenway park, which was on my bucket list, and my mother got to come along. That was an added bonus. When I'm not doing that, I like to travel with friends, play golf, go to football and baseball stadiums and go a couple races a couple times a year.
Speaker 2:Yeah, fenway's on my bucket list as well.
Speaker 3:I recommend it highly.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I bet, I bet. So let's change gears. Can you describe in your life one hardship or life challenge that you rose above and can now say you're better or stronger for it? Does anything come to mind?
Speaker 3:Well, the thing that comes to mind probably is just starting this business, I mean after being with a company for as long as I was and then stepping out and doing my own thing.
Speaker 3:It takes some learning on how to start from scratch, figuring out what kind of licenses you need, different insurances, how to get your taxes paid, how to get your business rolling, and it takes quite a bit of time to build up a client list and build your reputation. And I can remember when we first started we had to do a lot of odd jobs just to make ends meet. We did chain link, install fencing and I can remember installing some windows for some folks, pressure wash. We did whatever we could to get the company rolling. It took us about, say, a good solid year to get our name reputation out there and probably eight years to replace our incomes. And by doing that it kind of sets you back in and remember where you came from and keeps you grounded. So you realize when you get other opportunities to do some other work you might want to take advantage of that.
Speaker 2:Absolutely Well, and I'm sure you know being an entrepreneur is not easy, but I'm sure it's very rewarding. Like I said, sure, uh, you know being an entrepreneur is not easy, but I'm sure it's very rewarding. Like I said, what you know, it took you a while, but you got there it is.
Speaker 3:It's very rewarding it. It offers me an opportunity to spend time with my daughter, kind of create my own schedule and, uh, you know you, you build these closets and garage systems from the ground. It's kind of like adult legos and it's immediate, at the end, satisfaction of what you've created. Very cool it's great customers happy as well absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 3:Well, paul, tell us one thing that our listeners should remember, or that you'd like for them to remember, about clutter killers um, I would say one of the things that I want them to know or remember would be you know, a lot of times when people think about doing upgraded closet systems, they might have a misunderstanding of costs or what the price of something like that might be to do. But we use high quality products, some of the highest quality products in the industry. They're not cheap and then a lot of people are looking for starting prices. I might not be the person they're looking for. However, there are some things that they can consider when they're thinking about doing that.
Speaker 3:I mean they can consider if their current closet suits their needs. Can they imagine the amount of time that they can save every morning? Walking into a closet that's organized and straight and functional Allows you to start your morning every day off on a good start. And also sometimes they can consider the possibilities of the cost. It'll save A lot of times I don't think about when you incorporate in a closet. You can do drawer systems or shoe storage or jewelry storage. That may be a cost that you don't have to put in other parts of your room from buying furniture and that kind of thing.
Speaker 2:Good point. I know my wife could absolutely use some organization in her closet. But I'm not saying call her, but she needs it bad. She needs it bad.
Speaker 3:Well, the beauty of it is the beauty of it is we personalize it, we customize it to the client's needs. We go over the space, we take measurements, we see what their needs are, their lifestyle, what their budget is and, you know, we come up with a plan to maximize our space and incorporate it so they can start out every day on a fresh start.
Speaker 2:Custom fit. Huh, custom fit, 100%, all right. Well, paul, I appreciate your your time. I know it's precious. You're a busy guy, so before we go, can you tell our listeners where they can learn more about you and Clutter Killers?
Speaker 3:Sure, we have a website. It's wwwclutterkillerscom. That's K-L-U-T-T-E-R-K-I-L-L-E-R-Zcom. They can reach me at 423-833-5425. We're on Facebook, instagram. I also have a showroom. I only do that by appointment only, but it is an opportunity for you to come by and take a look at some of our materials and some of our options that we offer alright, very good, that's very convenient.
Speaker 2:well, Paul, again can't tell you how much we appreciate you being on the show and we wish you and Clutter Killers all the best moving forward.
Speaker 3:Well, thank you very much and I appreciate you having me.
Speaker 2:Yes, sir, hopefully we'll get you back.
Speaker 1:I hope to Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnptry-citiescom. That's gnptry-citiescom, or call 423-719-5873.