<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/author/tim-coleman/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>colemancollaborations.com - Blog by Tim Coleman</title><description>colemancollaborations.com - Blog by Tim Coleman</description><link>https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/author/tim-coleman</link><lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:35:14 -0700</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[If I Could Start Over: The 9 Mistakes I Would Avoid ]]></title><link>https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/post/if-i-could-start-over-the-9-mistakes-i-would-avoid</link><description><![CDATA[Business Operations Consulting | Custom Quote | 8-Session Program Do you ever feel like you’re just working a really expensive, high-stress hobby? Are ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_To1JbhAaS4yWinCGc8F_eg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_EV6ra3_nTWWncwjdgfRQ4Q" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_VKw6ovy-T9SMEVtWQOioiw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_qzg1Tc7bSFuv3g7GLSdOrg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true"><span><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/1BnuLZoJl2l.webp" alt="High-end custom closet installation with professional oversight"/></span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_0GLqfJUBTpGCkumeuElumQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><p><b><strong>Business Operations Consulting | Custom Quote | 8-Session Program</strong></b></p><p><span>Do you ever feel like you’re just working a really expensive, high-stress hobby? Are you tired of finishing a long week in the shop only to realize you didn’t actually make any money? Have you ever looked at your team and wondered how everyone got so busy doing the wrong things?</span></p><p><span>We’ve all been there. After 38+ years in the </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span>, I’ve seen the same patterns play out in hundreds of businesses, and I lived through them myself. I started in 1988 with a one-man operation and eventually grew it to a team of over 50 people. Along the way, I made every mistake in the book.</span></p><p><span>If I could go back and talk to &quot;1988 Tim,&quot; these are the nine specific shifts we would focus on to stop reacting and start leading.</span></p><h2><span>1. The Mindset Shift: Business vs. Hobby</span></h2><p><span>The single biggest mistake we make is treating our craft like a hobby rather than an engine for profit. In the </span><b><strong>hobby trap</strong></b><span>, you are the business. You work </span><i><em>in</em></i><span> the business, you pay yourself last (if at all), and decisions are made by gut feel or passion.</span></p><p><span>When we shift to a </span><b><strong>Business Mindset</strong></b><span>, we start working </span><i><em>on</em></i><span> the business. We document our ways, make decisions based on data, and ensure the shop runs, and grows, even when we aren't standing next to the </span><b><strong>machines</strong></b><span>.</span></p><h2><span>2. People: Hiring Slow and Training on Purpose</span></h2><p><span>We’ve all hired out of desperation when a big project hits, only to regret it three weeks later. The mistake isn't just who we hire; it's how we bring them into our culture. We need to hire slow and train on purpose.</span></p><p><span>To fix this, we recommend a </span><b><strong>90-Day Onboarding Plan</strong></b><span> aka a structured welcome period:</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>Phase 1 (Days 1–7): Foundation.</strong></b><span> Safety training, product basics, and reading plans.</span></li><li><b><strong>Phase 2 (Days 8–21): Assisted Installs.</strong></b><span> Shadowing a lead and learning the staging process.</span></li><li><b><strong>Phase 3 (Days 22–45): Controlled Independence.</strong></b><span> Taking the lead on simple tasks with minimal corrections.</span></li><li><b><strong>Phase 4 (Days 46–90): Full Responsibility.</strong></b><span> Owning entire small jobs and meeting our quality standards.</span></li></ul><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/WolbOHYE-5U.webp" alt="Collaborative team discussion in a closet production shop"/></p><h2><span>3. Systems: The Backbone of the Shop</span></h2><p><span>If your &quot;system&quot; only lives in your head, you don't have a system; you have a secret. We need </span><b><strong>SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)</strong></b><span> aka written instructions to ensure every job is done the right way, every time. Without checklists for everything from material intake to final cleanup, you are leaving your reputation to chance.</span></p><p><span>What does the complete SOP chain look like in a real </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span> business? It starts at the first touch and runs all the way to final payment. These are the critical documents that turn a hobby into a real company.</span></p><p><span>We need documented SOPs for:</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>Marketing:</strong></b><span> How do leads find us? What message are we putting into the market? Which offers, campaigns, referral asks, or follow-up rhythms are we using consistently?</span></li><li><b><strong>Lead Qualification:</strong></b><span> Who is a real fit, and who is not? What budget, timeline, location, and project-type questions do we ask before we ever schedule a design appointment?</span></li><li><b><strong>Running the Design Appointment:</strong></b><span> What is our step-by-step process in the home or showroom? How do we ask better questions, uncover priorities, measure correctly, set expectations, and move the client toward a confident decision?</span></li><li><b><strong>Processing a Sale:</strong></b><span> Once the client says yes, what happens next? Who collects the deposit, enters the order, confirms selections, reviews details, and hands the job off to production?</span></li><li><b><strong>Processing a Lost Sale:</strong></b><span> What do we do when the client says no, delays, or goes quiet? Do we track why we lost it, schedule follow-up, and learn from the pattern, or do we just let the opportunity disappear?</span></li><li><b><strong>Ordering and Making the Job:</strong></b><span> How is the job reviewed before production begins? Who verifies measurements, materials, hardware, cut lists, and special instructions before the business commits time and money?</span></li><li><b><strong>Receiving Material, Producing, and Staging the Job:</strong></b><span> What happens when material shows up? How is it checked, labeled, stored, produced, quality-checked, and staged so install is set up to win instead of scramble?</span></li><li><b><strong>Collecting Payment:</strong></b><span> When do we invoice? Who confirms completion? What is our process for final payment, change orders, punch-list items, and closing out the file?</span></li></ul><p><span>This is where we stop and ask the hard questions. Is every handoff clear? Does each team member know what document starts their part of the process? If a lead becomes a client today, could someone else in the business follow the paperwork from first call to final payment without needing you to explain it?</span></p><p><span>That’s the difference between owning a demanding job and building a business. A real company has a documented chain: </span><b><strong>first touch, qualification, appointment, sale, ordering, production, staging, installation, and payment collection</strong></b><span>. When we build that chain on purpose, we create consistency, accountability, and profit.</span></p><h2><span>4. Number Sense: Managing by the Data</span></h2><p><span>Do you know your &quot;number sense&quot;? Most creative, right-brained owners manage by their bank balance. Instead, we need to focus on these </span><b><strong>Profit Targets</strong></b><span>:</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>Net Profit:</strong></b><span> Aim for 10%+.</span></li><li><b><strong>Close Ratio:</strong></b><span> Target 60% or higher.</span></li><li><b><strong>Gross Profit:</strong></b><span> We look for 45-60%+ depending on the project complexity.</span></li></ul><p><span>If you aren't hitting these numbers, we need to look at your pricing and your processes. Are you charging enough for the expertise you bring to the table?</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/euO_QRKecm6.webp" alt="Financial planning and profit targets on a desk"/></p><h2><span>5. Planning: Stop Playing Whack-A-Mole</span></h2><p><span>&quot;Do you feel like you're playing Whack-A-Mole?&quot; The same problems keep popping up, and you’re just getting faster at reacting to them. The fix isn't faster reflexes, it's </span><b><strong>anticipation</strong></b><span>.</span></p><p><span>We use the </span><b><strong>If/Then Model</strong></b><span>: If we know a problem recurs (like a missing part or a design error), we build a contingency for it before it happens. If you didn't write down how you solved it last time, it isn't solved yet.</span></p><h2><span>6. Discipline: Doing It on Purpose</span></h2><p><span>Most shop chaos isn't bad luck, it's the absence of discipline. We have two choices: </span><b><strong>Letting It Happen</strong></b><span> (Reaction) or </span><b><strong>Doing It on Purpose</strong></b><span> (Cause).</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>Reaction:</strong></b><span> Firefighting, skipping routines when busy, hoping the month turns out okay.</span></li><li><b><strong>Cause:</strong></b><span> A 10-minute morning huddle, following the </span><b><strong>Reports Schedule</strong></b><span>, and reviewing the month-end close with a calm, patient eye.</span></li></ul><h2><span>7. Promotion: Avoiding the Peter Principle</span></h2><p><span>The </span><b><strong>Peter Principle</strong></b><span> is the idea that people get promoted to their level of incompetence. Just because someone is your best installer doesn't mean they should be your Install Manager. We must promote into </span><b><strong>Ability</strong></b><span>, not just as a reward for past work. Rewarding skill with the wrong job loses you a great installer and gains you a frustrated manager.</span></p><h2><span>8. Transitions: Parting with Dignity</span></h2><p><span>Not everyone will stay for the whole journey. Whether it's an employee moving on or a client relationship that has soured, we must handle transitions with respect. Document the exit, share the knowledge, and move forward with your head held high.</span></p><h2><span>9. Finance: Debt as a Tool, Not a Trap</span></h2><p><span>We need to keep cash for the &quot;moles&quot; we can't predict. Use debt strategically to grow or to purchase more efficient </span><b><strong>machines</strong></b><span>, but never use it to mask a lack of profitability.</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/TDitgvhVjmP.webp" alt="A production planning board being updated"/></p><hr/><h3><span>Bonus: The Extra Steps to Profitability</span></h3><ul><li><b><strong>Mind Your Buckets:</strong></b><span> We need to keep the </span><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/post/keep-your-buckets-full"><span>Lead-to-Install Pipeline</span></a><span> moving. Are your buckets for Sales, Production, and Installation balanced, or is one overflowing while the other is empty?</span></li><li><b><strong>Magic Numbers Pricing:</strong></b><span> Our framework for a healthy project is </span><b><strong>40% Material / 15% Labor / 45% Gross Profit</strong></b><span>. If your materials are creeping up, your profit is the first thing to disappear.</span></li><li><b><strong>Kill the Go-Backs:</strong></b><span> A &quot;go-back&quot; is a profit killer. We have to build systems that ensure the job is finished correctly the first time.</span></li><li><b><strong>Never Run Out of Screws:</strong></b><span> Simple inventory management saves hours of wasted time. If your team is running to the hardware store twice a week, you're bleeding money.</span></li></ul><h3><span>The Summary: 9 Mistakes to Fix</span></h3><ol><li><b><strong>Mindset:</strong></b><span> Running a business vs. a hobby.</span></li><li><b><strong>People:</strong></b><span> Hiring slow and training on purpose.</span></li><li><b><strong>Systems:</strong></b><span> SOPs as the backbone of your shop.</span></li><li><b><strong>Number Sense:</strong></b><span> Managing by data, not gut feel.</span></li><li><b><strong>Planning:</strong></b><span> Setting the target before you aim.</span></li><li><b><strong>Discipline:</strong></b><span> Moving from Reaction to Cause.</span></li><li><b><strong>Promotion:</strong></b><span> Avoiding the Peter Principle.</span></li><li><b><strong>Transitions:</strong></b><span> Parting ways professionally.</span></li><li><b><strong>Finance:</strong></b><span> Using debt as a tool, not a trap.</span></li></ol><p><span>Building a business is hard, and doing it alone is even harder. If you’re ready to stop reacting and start growing, let’s have a </span><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/4-meetings-to-a-plan-1"><span>discovery call</span></a><span>. We can walk through your current operations and see where we can tighten the screws, literally and figuratively.</span></p><p><span>We’re in this together, and I’m here to help you build the business you actually wanted when you first started.</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/rei5_Lj1jyR.webp" alt="Tim Coleman headshot"/></p><p><b><strong>Tim Coleman</strong></b><br/><span>Founder · Coleman Collaborations Consulting Group</span><br/><a href="mailto:tim@colemancollaborations.com"><span>tim@colemancollaborations.com</span></a><br/><span>202-350-9725</span><br/><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com"><span>www.colemancollaborations.com</span></a></p></div><p></p></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2026 13:30:31 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Your Business Needs a Check-Up: The 8-Session Business Barometer]]></title><link>https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/post/your-business-needs-a-check-up-the-8-session-business-barometer</link><description><![CDATA[BUSINESS BAROMETER | $1,995 | 8 SESSIONS Does your business feel busy, but not always clear? Are you getting leads, but not sure if your sales process ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_PZZASSqlQt6c6NM56ZwsLQ" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_3rc9FbnKSSCq7--fh3HrEQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_jjnPAVhPSjWMuy6zkTkOfQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_xWYSX87DQw-XoYugzWpEAg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><span><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/8ET30jKwFQg.webp" style="width:518.73px !important;height:292px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_sewIuikpRAu0KAJmqkwaqA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><p><b><strong>BUSINESS BAROMETER | $1,995 | 8 SESSIONS</strong></b></p><p><span>Does your </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> feel busy, but not always clear? Are you getting leads, but not sure if your sales process is really working? Is production moving, but jobs still seem to stall between departments? Have you built something beautiful by trusting your gut, but now you're wondering how to build the systems to help it grow?</span></p><p><span>If that sounds familiar, you aren't alone. In the </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span>, many owners are creative, right-brained builders first and business operators second. We know how to design, sell, build, and serve. But when it comes to seeing the full picture of the company, area by area and department by department, it can feel overwhelming.</span></p><p><span>That is exactly why we created the </span><b><strong>Business Barometer</strong></b><span>.</span></p><p><span>At Coleman Collaborations Consulting Group, we use the </span><b><strong>Business Barometer</strong></b><span> as a complete business health assessment for owners in the </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span> and woodworking spaces. It is not a finance course. It is not a pile of theory. It is a practical, mentor-led process that helps us walk through your company one department at a time so you can see exactly where your </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> is right NOW.</span></p><h2><span>Stop Guessing. Start Knowing.</span></h2><p><span>Most owners start with instinct. That is not a weakness. In fact, that gut-feel is often what helped build the company in the first place. You saw an opportunity. You served clients well. You created something real.</span></p><p><span>But there comes a point when gut-feel is no longer enough by itself.</span></p><p><span>If you want to grow, lead better, fix recurring issues, and make stronger decisions, you need a clearer picture. You need to know what is healthy, what is weak, what is missing, and what needs attention first. That is how we move from gut-feel to </span><b><strong>Number Sense</strong></b><span>: not by turning you into an accountant, but by helping you understand the health of your </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> as a whole.</span></p><p><span>Think of the </span><b><strong>Business Barometer</strong></b><span> like taking your company in for a physical. We check every major system one at a time. The first 7 sessions are diagnostic. Each one focuses on a specific department or area of the </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> so we can build a complete picture of your current state. Then session 8 brings it all together into one clear plan for improvement.</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/cerA0cA8eo0.webp" alt="A mentor and an entrepreneur looking at business numbers together in a professional office setting" style="width:512px !important;height:640.75px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>How the 8-Session Business Barometer Works</span></h2><p><span>The format is simple and flexible:</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>8 live online sessions</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>1-hour virtual meetings</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>Scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>Paced to your schedule</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>Prerequisite: a free 30-minute discovery call</strong></b></li></ul><p><span>This is a working session series, not a lecture series. We are not here to talk at you. We are here to walk through your company with you, ask better questions, identify what is happening, and help you create a clearer path forward.</span></p><h2><span>The 8 Classes: A Department-by-Department Business Health Check</span></h2><h3><span>Session 1: Foundation &amp; Organization — What is your company and how do you work?</span></h3><p><span>We start with the foundation. Before we can improve anything, we need to understand what your </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> actually is today and how it operates in real life.</span></p><p><span>How is your company structured? What services do you really provide? Where are responsibilities clear, and where are they fuzzy? Are key processes documented, or are they living in your head? Is your team working from a shared method, or does each person do things their own way?</span></p><p><span>This session gives us the starting point. It helps us understand how your </span><b><strong>shop</strong></b><span> is built, how decisions are made, and how organized the company really is beneath the surface.</span></p><h3><span>Session 2: Marketing Strategy — How do you get your Leads?</span></h3><p><span>Now we look at how new opportunities enter the pipeline. Where do your leads come from? Which channels are attracting the right customers? Which ones are just creating noise?</span></p><p><span>We look at your </span><b><strong>Marketing Strategy</strong></b><span> aka your lead generation process in plain language. Are referrals carrying the full load? Are your website, social media, partnerships, or outreach efforts producing qualified opportunities? Do you know what is working, or are you just hoping the phone keeps ringing?</span></p><p><span>This session helps us diagnose the health of your marketing engine so we can see whether it is predictable, scattered, underdeveloped, or strong.</span></p><h3><span>Session 3: Sales Strategy — What &amp; How do you Sell?</span></h3><p><span>Getting leads is one thing. Turning them into profitable work is another.</span></p><p><span>In this session, we assess what you sell, how you sell it, and how consistently your team moves people from inquiry to signed project. Are you selling design, product, installation, and service in a way that builds trust? Are your close ratios where they should be? Are you qualifying well, asking the right questions, and guiding clients clearly through the process?</span></p><p><span>This is where we dig into your sales department and evaluate how effectively your </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> converts opportunity into revenue.</span></p><h3><span>Session 4: Production &amp; Inventory — After the Sale before the Install</span></h3><p><span>This session focuses on what happens after the client says yes and before the installation begins. This is often where hidden stress starts to build.</span></p><p><span>How clean is the handoff from sales to production? Are materials ordered accurately? Is inventory tracked in a reliable way? Are details being missed that later become rework, delays, or go-backs? Is your production flow smooth, or are your </span><b><strong>machines</strong></b><span>, materials, and people constantly reacting?</span></p><p><span>We walk through this department carefully so you can see whether your production and inventory systems are supporting quality and profit or quietly draining both.</span></p><h3><span>Session 5: Operations &amp; Installations — What is YOUR method?</span></h3><p><span>Every successful </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> has a method, whether it is intentional or accidental. This session helps us uncover yours.</span></p><p><span>How are jobs scheduled? How are crews prepared? What happens when a site condition changes? How are install expectations communicated? Are operations repeatable, or does every project feel like reinventing the wheel? Are your installations setting up customer satisfaction, referrals, and final payment, or creating avoidable headaches?</span></p><p><span>This is a deep-dive into execution. We assess how your </span><b><strong>shop</strong></b><span> delivers the finished experience and whether your operational method is truly working for you.</span></p><h3><span>Session 6: Finance &amp; Metrics — Are we profitable? How do we know?</span></h3><p><span>This session is part of the health check, not the whole point of it. We are not turning this into a finance course. We are simply asking a practical question: is the </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> healthy enough financially to support what you are building?</span></p><p><span>What are the right metrics for your company? How do you know if jobs are profitable? Are you measuring the right things, or only reacting after problems show up? Do your reports help you make decisions, or do they just sit in a folder?</span></p><p><span>This session helps us assess the financial signals of the company so they can support the bigger picture of decision-making, accountability, and growth.</span></p><h3><span>Session 7: Administration, KPIs &amp; Human Resources — Hire, Fire, Train, and Report Schedules</span></h3><p><span>Here we assess the administrative backbone of the company.</span></p><p><span>How are people hired, trained, managed, and evaluated? Are schedules communicated clearly? Are expectations documented? Do you have meaningful </span><b><strong>KPIs</strong></b><span> aka </span><b><strong>Key Performance Indicators</strong></b><span>, or simple scoreboards that show whether people and departments are on track? Is your admin structure helping the company run better, or is it creating confusion and inconsistency?</span></p><p><span>This session completes the diagnostic phase by looking at the systems, people, reporting, and routines that hold the rest of the </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> together.</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/uEJm5i4XK09.webp" alt="A close-up of a simplified business report with high-level financial metrics highlighted" style="width:533.3px !important;height:301px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h3><span>Session 8: Tying it All Together — One Clear Picture for a Plan</span></h3><p><span>This is where the full picture comes into focus.</span></p><p><span>By the time we get here, we have walked through the company area by area, department by department. We have looked at foundation, marketing, sales, production, operations, finance, admin, team structure, and performance tracking. Session 8 takes all of that diagnostic work and turns it into a practical improvement plan.</span></p><p><span>Together, we identify:</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>The top priorities</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>The right sequence of action</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>Realistic timelines</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>Clear next steps</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>The areas that need attention first</strong></b></li></ul><p><span>This is not a 50-page binder that collects dust. It is a usable plan built from the reality of your </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> right now. We take the assessment and turn it into action.</span></p><h2><span>Why This Matters for Creative Owners</span></h2><p><span>If you are a right-brained owner in the </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span>, this was built with you in mind.</span></p><p><span>You built something beautiful by trusting your gut. That matters. But growth requires more than talent and effort. It requires visibility. It requires structure. It requires a way to step back and see the whole company, not just the fire in front of you today.</span></p><p><span>That is what the </span><b><strong>Business Barometer</strong></b><span> gives us.</span></p><p><span>It helps us stop guessing.</span><br/><span>It helps us start knowing.</span><br/><span>It helps us move from gut-feel to </span><b><strong>Number Sense</strong></b><span>.</span><br/><span>And it helps us build a stronger, healthier </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> one department at a time.</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/SZrXNCKYUHv.webp" alt="A modern workshop with a CNC machine in the foreground and an owner working in an office in the background" style="width:706px !important;height:882.75px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>What You Walk Away With</span></h2><p><span>At the end of the 8-session series, you will have:</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>A complete business health assessment</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>A department-by-department view of your current state</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>Greater clarity on what is working and what is not</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>A practical improvement plan with priorities, timelines, and action steps</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>A trusted mentor to help you see the full picture</strong></b></li></ul><p><span>The investment is </span><b><strong>$1,995</strong></b><span> for the full 8-session series.</span></p><p><span>The first step is simple: book a discovery call so we can talk through your </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span>, your goals, and whether the </span><b><strong>Business Barometer</strong></b><span> is the right fit for where you are today.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com"><span>Book a free 30-minute discovery call at www.colemancollaborations.com</span></a></p><p><span>Running a </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. We are here to help you turn your creative passion into a predictable, profitable reality.</span></p><p><i><em>None of us is as smart as all of us.</em></i></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/rei5_Lj1jyR.webp" alt="Tim Coleman, Founder of Coleman Collaborations Consulting Group" style="width:266px !important;height:266px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p></div><p></p></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:48:23 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Schrödinger’s Cat: The High Cost of Doing Nothing in Your Closet Business]]></title><link>https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/post/schrödinger-s-cat-the-high-cost-of-doing-nothing-in-your-closet-business</link><description><![CDATA[Is indecision paralyzing your closet business? Learn how 'Schrödinger’s Cat' syndrome affects shop owners and why opening the 'envelope' on your numbers is the key to profitability and peace of mind. Stop guessing and start acting today.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_Sus2jhgxSl2RIt99EIT6wQ" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_xBo4SDLiTsydeOGMhnJfHQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Tzkm_LdxRxml7zBRs3pSRQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Op5mXvl6QBmh_tQe0Te7ig" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><b><strong><a href="https://tim-colemancollaborations.zohobookings.com/#/4748516000000101202" title="Your Magic Numbers" rel="">Your Magic Numbers</a></strong></b> – $295 – 90 Minutes<br/></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_nak_PMvUSEyw5LQm0JuL2A" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><p><img src="/Cat%20Looking%20Both%20Ways.webp" style="width:579.12px !important;height:329px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><p><span></span></p><div><p><span>Are you avoiding that thick envelope sitting on your desk? Are you wondering if your top designer is secretly job-hunting while you stay silent? Do you have a list of unreturned follow-up calls that you're just not ready to face because you're afraid they already signed with someone else?</span></p><p><span>Running a business in the closet industry often feels like a series of choices between facing the music or staying in the dark. At Coleman Collaborations Consulting Group, we’ve found that the biggest drain on a shop’s energy isn't just the physical work: it's the weight of the unknown. We call this </span><b><strong>Schrödinger's Cat Syndrome</strong></b><span>.</span></p><h2><span>The Paradox of the Unknown</span></h2><p><span>Have you ever heard the term </span><b><strong>Schrödinger’s Cat aka The Duality of the Unknown</strong></b><span>? It’s a concept I recently saw illustrated in a television series, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. It explains exactly why so many talented craftsmen and shop owners feel paralyzed when it comes to the &quot;business side&quot; of things.</span></p><p><span>Imagine a teacher who goes away for the weekend, leaving her teenage son at home. On her drive back, she’s paralyzed by a thought: </span><i><em>Do I want to go inside?</em></i></p><ul><li><span>If she walks in, she might find the house in turmoil and kids passed out on the floor.</span></li><li><span>If she stays outside, the damage &quot;doesn't exist&quot; yet.</span></li></ul><p><span>In her mind, until she opens that door, two opposite things are true at the same time: the house is either a disaster or it's perfectly clean. Until she acts, she lives in a paradox where both failure and success coexist.</span></p><p><span>This is the same trap we fall into in our shops. As long as we don't check the bank balance, we're both &quot;bankrupt&quot; and &quot;millionaires&quot; in our heads. As long as we don't call that lead, they are both a &quot;lost deal&quot; and a &quot;potential $20k project.&quot;</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/S5DNp6-XXFY.webp" alt="A professional designer's desk with a thick envelope and proposals, representing the weight of unaddressed decisions, with no visible branding." style="width:529.96px !important;height:299px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>Where the Cat Hides in Your Business</span></h2><p><span>We see this every day in the closet industry. We let situations sit in a state of &quot;maybe&quot; because we’re afraid of the &quot;no.&quot; We find that the &quot;maybe&quot; is actually more expensive than the &quot;no&quot; because it eats up our mental bandwidth.</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>In Sales:</strong></b><span> It’s that proposal you gave two weeks ago. You haven't called because you're afraid they bought from a competitor. As long as you don't call, they are still a &quot;potential lead.&quot; Once you call, they might be a &quot;lost sale.&quot; We’d rather have the potential than the reality, even if the potential is a ghost.</span></li><li><b><strong>In Management:</strong></b><span> It’s the key employee who seems distant. You avoid the conversation because you don't want to hear they're leaving. But ignoring it won't keep them in the business; it just keeps you from finding a replacement.</span></li><li><b><strong>In Finance:</strong></b><span> It’s procrastinating on your </span><b><strong>Income Statement aka P&amp;L</strong></b><span>. You tell yourself you’re making money because you have cash in the bank, but as long as you don't look at the numbers, you don't have to face the truth of your actual margins.</span></li></ul><h2><span>The Solution: The Courage to ACT</span></h2><p><span>The solution to </span><b><strong>Schrödinger’s Cat Syndrome</strong></b><span> is simple, but it isn't easy: </span><b><strong>Find the courage to make a decision and ACT.</strong></b></p><p><span>Remember, courage is not being fearless. It is acknowledging the fear and choosing to move forward despite it. We believe it is better to accept a &quot;lost&quot; sale than to waste weeks of mental energy on follow-ups that will never close. It is better to talk directly to your supplier about a late payment than to wait for them to cut you off.</span></p><p><span>At Coleman Collaborations, we focus on helping you &quot;open the box.&quot; Whether it's through </span><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/specific-projects"><span>specialized project consulting</span></a><span> or deep-dive </span><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/kpi-reports-you-need"><span>KPI reporting</span></a><span>, our goal is to move you from the &quot;unknown&quot; to the &quot;fact-based.&quot;</span></p><h3><span>Why Successful Owners Act:</span></h3><ul><li><b><strong>They face the facts:</strong></b><span> Wisdom and facts should drive the bus, not just a &quot;positive feeling.&quot;</span></li><li><b><strong>They embrace reality:</strong></b><span> They don't make &quot;positively naïve&quot; choices. They know their </span><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/post/who-really-defines-your-quality-hint-it-s-probably-not-you"><span>quality standards</span></a><span> and they stick to them.</span></li><li><b><strong>They value timeliness:</strong></b><span> They get out of their comfort zone regularly.</span></li><li><b><strong>They learn from failure:</strong></b><span> We learn more from a &quot;no&quot; than we do from a &quot;maybe.&quot;</span></li></ul><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/FbMiiM1MQjC.webp" alt="A professional business collaboration scene in a closet industry setting, with consultants reviewing plans and numbers together." style="width:453.66px !important;height:256px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>Our Methodology: Moving from Confusion to Clarity</span></h2><p><span>When we work together in our </span><b><strong>Your Magic Numbers</strong></b><span> session, we don’t just throw a bunch of spreadsheets at you. We use a proprietary framework to help you understand what's actually happening in your business. We move from the conceptual &quot;what-ifs&quot; to tangible deliverables.</span></p><p><span>We start by asking the granular, probing questions that most owners try to avoid:</span></p><ul><li><span>What is your actual labor cost per hour when the machines </span><i><em>aren't</em></i><span> running?</span></li><li><span>Are you pricing based on what your competitor charges, or what it actually costs you to keep the lights on?</span></li><li><span>If you closed 10% fewer sales but at a 20% higher margin, what would that do to your stress levels?</span></li><li><span>Do you know your &quot;Break-Even Point&quot; for the month, or are you just hoping the next deposit covers the rent?</span></li></ul><p><span>Once we answer these, the &quot;cat&quot; is out of the box. We have a clear path forward.</span></p><h2><span>What You Get: The Tangible Deliverables</span></h2><p><span>Our </span><b><strong>Your Magic Numbers</strong></b><span> session ($295 for 90 minutes) is designed to give you instant relief from the unknown. We provide:</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>Custom Financial Snapshot:</strong></b><span> A clear look at your margins and overhead.</span></li><li><b><strong>The &quot;Number Sense&quot; Framework:</strong></b><span> A simplified way to look at your bank account and know if you're actually profitable.</span></li><li><b><strong>Immediate Action Plan:</strong></b><span> Three specific steps you can take within 24 hours to improve your cash flow.</span></li><li><b><strong>Pricing Audit:</strong></b><span> A quick check to see if your current estimates are leaving money on the table.</span></li></ul><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/VG0RtS8cPYK.webp" alt="A professional home office workstation showing a clean, organized financial spreadsheet and business dashboard." style="width:444px !important;height:555.25px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>Don't Stay in the Unknown</span></h2><p><span>Do you consistently focus on negative possibilities? Dwelling on the unknown is what causes those 3:00 AM wake-up calls and poor decision-making. But when you face the facts and move, everything changes.</span></p><p><span>Give yourself the grace to make mistakes. The more experience you acquire, the more your confidence will grow. In my 38 years of industry experience, the one trait I find that all financially successful people have in common is this: </span><b><strong>They ACT.</strong></b></p><p><span>Whether you need a </span><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/your-fractional-cfo"><span>fractional CFO</span></a><span> or just a partner to help you </span><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/create-a-marketing-plan"><span>create a marketing plan</span></a><span>, we are here to help you open the box.</span></p><p><i><em>Remember, you aren't alone in the struggle of the daily grind; we’re in this together to build a business that serves your life, not the other way around.</em></i></p><p><b><strong>Ready to stop guessing?</strong></b><br/>If you're ready to open the envelope and see what your numbers are actually telling you, let's have a <a href="https://tim-colemancollaborations.zohobookings.com/#/4748516000000101184" title=" discovery call" rel="">discovery call</a>. We'll look at your business with clear eyes and help you act with confidence.</p></div><p><span></span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/y5cSRZpTkl5.webp" alt="Tim Coleman, Business Consultant specializing in the closet industry." style="width:263px !important;height:263px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p></div><p></p></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:47:25 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep Your Buckets Full]]></title><link>https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/post/keep-your-buckets-full</link><description><![CDATA[“Are you waking up at 3:00 AM wondering if you have enough work for next month? Running a closet business is a balancing act, but it doesn't have to be a mystery. Discover how to use 'The Five Buckets' and the 8-week sliding average to see problems coming before they become emergencies.”]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_4YdsHZHOSbGLM-pFeBycvg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_1CETMxyXSH-Ab7VB4JUHGA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_uTjLxMcvQgi0CsaisGsvrQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_LOmc5TwXR6KCe4LgjoLLTg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><span><span>A Simple Framework for Managing Your Closet Business</span></span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_wzvVNF_HTA6v661sd2rSiA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><p><br/></p><div><p><img src="/Keep%20Your%20Buckets%20Full.png" style="width:640.28px !important;height:349px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span style="font-size:32px;">None of Us is as Smart as ALL of Us</span></h2><div><h2 style="text-align:center;"></h2></div><p><b><strong><a href="/collaboration-services" title="Your Magic Numbers – $295 – 90 Minutes" rel="">Your Magic Numbers – $295 – 90 Minutes</a></strong></b></p><p><span>Are you waking up at 3:00 AM wondering if you have enough work for next month? Do you feel like your team is either drowning in leads or &quot;milking the clock&quot; because the shop is empty? Does your cash flow feel like a roller coaster that you didn’t sign up to ride?</span></p><p><span>Running a closet or woodworking business is a balancing act. We know the feeling of having too many designs to draw and not enough time to breathe: or worse, having a crew ready to install with nothing on the schedule. At </span><b><strong>Coleman Collaborations Consulting Group</strong></b><span>, we believe that business management doesn't have to be a mystery. We use a simple, visual framework called </span><b><strong>&quot;The Buckets&quot;</strong></b><span> to help us see exactly where the pressure points are before they become emergencies.</span></p><h2><span>What is a Bucket?</span></h2><p><span>In our world, we visualize every customer journey as a series of buckets flowing from one to the other. If one bucket is bone-dry, the next one will be soon. If one is overflowing, the whole system gets messy.</span></p><p><span>We track five distinct stages:</span></p><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><ol><li style="text-align:justify;"><b><strong>Lead</strong></b><span> (The initial contact)</span></li><li style="text-align:justify;"><b><strong>Design Appointment</strong></b><span> (The first face-to-face)</span></li><li style="text-align:justify;"><b><strong>Bid/Proposal</strong></b><span> aka </span><b><strong>The Pending Bucket</strong></b><span> (Where the follow-up happens)</span></li><li style="text-align:justify;"><b><strong>Sale/Sold</strong></b><span> (The contract is signed)</span></li><li style="text-align:justify;"><b><strong>Install</strong></b><span> (The final execution and payment)</span></li></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol><p><img src="/Headshot.jpg" style="width:240px !important;height:320.08px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>Step 1: Getting the Team on the Same Page</span></h2><p><span>Our first step is ensuring everyone: from the office staff to the installers: understands this process. When we look at our business through these buckets, we stop reacting to &quot;the sky is falling&quot; moments and start anticipating them.</span></p><p><span>Are your installers frustrated because they’re working 60 hours one week and 20 the next? That’s not a personnel problem; it’s a bucket problem. By tracking how much is in each stage every single week, we can see a drought coming a month away and turn on the &quot;lead faucet&quot; early.</span></p><h2><span>Step 2: Defining &quot;Just Right&quot;</span></h2><p><span>Every business has a &quot;Goldilocks&quot; number. Too many leads? Your customers wait too long for a design, and they’ll go to a competitor. Too many sales? Your install schedule pushes out three months, and your cash position gets shaky.</span></p><p><span>We need to establish what fills each bucket for </span><i><em>our</em></i><span> specific capacity. And this is where all </span><b><strong>5 buckets</strong></b><span> have to be defined clearly, not vaguely.</span></p><h3><span>Bucket 1: </span><b><strong>Lead</strong></b></h3><p><span>This is the top of the funnel. This bucket answers one simple question: </span><b><strong>How many leads are &quot;just right&quot; to feed the rest of the flow?</strong></b></p><p><span>If our goal is a full designer calendar, and a full week for one designer is about </span><b><strong>8-10 appointments</strong></b><span>, then we need enough incoming opportunities to consistently support that pace. Tim’s benchmark is an </span><b><strong>80% conversion rate from Lead to Design Appointment</strong></b><span>. In plain language, that means if 10 qualified people reach out, about 8 should move to an appointment.</span></p><p><span>So we should be asking:</span></p><ul><li><span>Are these leads actually qualified, or are they just inquiries?</span></li><li><span>Are we tracking phone calls, web forms, referrals, and showroom walk-ins the same way?</span></li><li><span>Are we getting enough leads this week to support next week’s design calendar?</span></li><li><span>If our lead count is high but our appointments are low, do we have a follow-up problem, a qualification problem, or a speed-to-contact problem?</span></li></ul><h3><span>Bucket 2: </span><b><strong>Design Appointment</strong></b></h3><p><span>This bucket is where opportunity becomes real. A full week for a designer is typically </span><b><strong>8-10 appointments</strong></b><span>. That’s the practical capacity point we need to protect.</span></p><p><span>Using that </span><b><strong>80% Lead-to-Appointment conversion rate</strong></b><span>, we can reverse-engineer what &quot;just right&quot; looks like:</span></p><ul><li><span>To produce </span><b><strong>8 appointments</strong></b><span>, we need about </span><b><strong>10 leads</strong></b></li><li><span>To produce </span><b><strong>10 appointments</strong></b><span>, we need about </span><b><strong>12-13 leads</strong></b></li></ul><p><span>That gives us a realistic weekly target range of roughly </span><b><strong>10-13 quality leads</strong></b><span> to keep one designer properly fed.</span></p><p><span>And now we can ask better questions:</span></p><ul><li><span>Is our designer booked with the right number of appointments, or are we overloading the week?</span></li><li><span>Are appointments spread correctly across the week, or stacked in a way that creates bottlenecks?</span></li><li><span>Are we sending designers on low-probability calls that eat up windshield time and kill efficiency?</span></li><li><span>If we have multiple designers, have we defined what a full week looks like for each one?</span></li></ul><h3><span>Bucket 3: </span><b><strong>Bid/Proposal</strong></b></h3><p><span>This is the </span><b><strong>pending bucket</strong></b><span>. These are proposals that are not sold yet, but they are not lost either. This is where many companies let money sit quietly and go stale.</span></p><p><span>A healthy proposal bucket requires active follow-up:</span></p><ul><li><span>Which bids are still open?</span></li><li><span>How old are they?</span></li><li><span>Has someone called, emailed, or texted the customer recently?</span></li><li><span>Are we waiting on a decision, or have we simply gone silent?</span></li></ul><p><span>This bucket matters because open proposals are future sales that may already be partially won. If we ignore them, we create unnecessary pressure on the Lead bucket. Before we panic and spend more money to generate new leads, we should first ask: </span><b><strong>what is already sitting in the Bid/Proposal bucket waiting to be moved?</strong></b></p><h3><span>Bucket 4: </span><b><strong>Sale/Sold</strong></b></h3><p><span>Once a job is sold, the question changes. Now we are managing </span><b><strong>pipeline and backlog</strong></b><span>.</span></p><p><span>This is not just a celebration bucket. It is a capacity bucket.</span></p><p><span>We need to know:</span></p><ul><li><span>How many sold jobs are in the queue?</span></li><li><span>How many dollars are sold but not yet installed?</span></li><li><span>Is the backlog healthy, or is it getting too far out?</span></li><li><span>Are we selling faster than we can produce and install?</span></li></ul><p><span>A full Sold bucket can feel exciting, but too much backlog creates stress on scheduling, purchasing, production, and customer communication. If sold jobs are stacking up too far into the future, then the business may need to slow down promotions, adjust scheduling expectations, or rethink production capacity.</span></p><p><b><strong>The Math of a $1M Business:</strong></b><br/><span>Let’s look at the numbers. A $1,000,000 company generates approximately </span><b><strong>$20,000 a week</strong></b><span> in revenue (accounting for holidays and vacations).</span></p><ul><li><span>If we have two installers, that’s </span><b><strong>$10,000 a week each</strong></b><span>.</span></li><li><span>Divided by 5 days, that is </span><b><strong>$2,000 a day</strong></b><span> to be completed in an 8-hour shift.</span></li><li><span>That breaks down to </span><b><strong>$250 an hour</strong></b><span>.</span></li></ul><h3><span>Bucket 5: </span><b><strong>Install</strong></b></h3><p><span>This is where all the earlier buckets become real cash, real production, and real customer experience. The goal here is not just to stay busy. The goal is to keep installers busy for </span><b><strong>exactly 8 hours</strong></b><span> a day, not 5 hours and not 12.</span></p><p><span>That means we should be measuring install capacity with real discipline:</span></p><ul><li><span>Do we have enough work ready to keep each installer productive for a full 8-hour day?</span></li><li><span>Are we scheduling jobs with the right labor hours, or are we guessing?</span></li><li><span>Are small punch items, service calls, or missing parts breaking up the day?</span></li><li><span>Are installers waiting on product, information, or job-site readiness?</span></li></ul><p><span>For our $1M example, this matters a lot. If each installer is responsible for </span><b><strong>$10,000 per week</strong></b><span>, then each day needs to produce about </span><b><strong>$2,000</strong></b><span>, and each hour needs to produce about </span><b><strong>$250</strong></b><span>. That hourly number gives us a very practical reality check. If the install schedule is not built to deliver a full 8-hour day, the bucket is not truly full.</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/iOYBl-HIe80.webp" alt="A luxury custom-built closet showcasing the high-quality results of a well-managed business." style="width:726px !important;height:817.12px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>Step 3: The 8-Week Sliding Average</span></h2><p><span>We don't want to make major business decisions based on one &quot;killer&quot; week or one &quot;stinker&quot; week. Instead, we use the </span><b><strong>8-Week Sliding Average</strong></b><span>.</span></p><p><span>We simply add up the previous eight weeks of data and divide by eight. This gives us our true weekly average. This matters in every bucket: Leads, Design Appointments, Proposals, Sold jobs, and Installs. If we notice that our sliding average is moving too far in either direction, we act. This &quot;evening out&quot; process calms the entire company down. Our purchasing department knows the timeline, our scheduling team knows the expectations, and our installers feel safe knowing they have consistent 40-hour weeks.</span></p><h2><span>Step 4: Probing Your Ratios</span></h2><p><span>When the buckets aren't &quot;just right,&quot; we have to ask the hard questions. This isn't about blaming the team; it's about diagnosing the system.</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>Is the Lead Bucket low?</strong></b><span> Are we reaching out to past clients for referrals? Are we using yard signs at current installs? Are we generating enough quality leads to support 8-10 appointments next week?</span></li><li><b><strong>Is the Design Appointment Bucket off?</strong></b><span> Are we converting at roughly </span><b><strong>80%</strong></b><span> from lead to appointment, or are opportunities slipping through the cracks before they ever get on the calendar?</span></li><li><b><strong>Is the Bid/Proposal Bucket stalled?</strong></b><span> How many open bids are sitting there right now that are neither sold nor lost? Who is following up, and how often?</span></li><li><b><strong>Is the Sold Bucket too full?</strong></b><span> Are we building an unhealthy backlog that pushes installs too far out and creates pressure on customer communication?</span></li><li><b><strong>Is the Install Bucket too full or too thin?</strong></b><span> Are we keeping installers productive for a full </span><b><strong>8 hours</strong></b><span> a day? Have we considered a </span><b><strong>Rush Fee</strong></b><span> for clients who need it sooner? Are we communicating the lead times clearly to avoid disappointment?</span></li></ul><h3><span>Action Items to Keep Your Buckets Balanced</span></h3><ul><li><b><strong>Define your weekly Lead target:</strong></b><span> Work backward from designer capacity so you know how many leads are needed to support 8-10 appointments.</span></li><li><b><strong>Protect designer capacity:</strong></b><span> Treat </span><b><strong>8-10 appointments</strong></b><span> as a full week and monitor whether your </span><b><strong>80% Lead-to-Appointment conversion rate</strong></b><span> is holding.</span></li><li><b><strong>Audit your &quot;Bid Bucket&quot;:</strong></b><span> Follow up with every proposal that isn't a &quot;No&quot; yet.</span></li><li><b><strong>Manage your backlog:</strong></b><span> Track sold jobs carefully so your pipeline stays healthy without pushing installs too far out.</span></li><li><b><strong>Set your Install target:</strong></b><span> Pick a dollar amount that is best for your business to install each week and try to hit it every single time while keeping installers productive for a full 8-hour day.</span></li><li><b><strong>Check your Cash Position:</strong></b><span> Ensure your customer deposits are covering your material costs immediately.</span></li><li><b><strong>Market Smartly:</strong></b><span> If leads are low, increase outreach and visibility before the shortage hits your install calendar.</span></li></ul><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/BEqPEO_6GYf.webp" alt="A custom-built wood closet system highlighting the craftsmanship that comes from a focused, organized team." style="width:412.76px !important;height:313px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>We Are Here to Help</span></h2><p><span>Managing the &quot;meat&quot; of the business while keeping the &quot;casings&quot; from breaking: much like my grandmother’s sausage machine: requires a steady hand and a clear plan. We've spent 38+ years in the closet industry learning exactly how to turn the handle &quot;not too fast and not too slow.&quot;</span></p><p><span>Whether you need a </span><b><strong>Financial Review</strong></b><span> aka </span><b><strong>Fractional CFO</strong></b><span> service to understand your numbers, or you want to dive into </span><b><strong>Your Magic Numbers</strong></b><span>, we are ready to partner with you. You don't have to guess if your business is healthy; you can know it.</span></p><p><b><strong>We all need someone to talk to... so let's start the conversation.</strong></b></p><p><span>If you’re ready to stop the guessing game and start filling your buckets with intention, let's have a quick </span><a href="https://tim-colemancollaborations.zohobookings.com/#/4748516000000101184"><span>discovery call</span></a><span>. It's a low-pressure way for us to talk through your numbers, your capacity, and your &quot;just right.&quot;</span></p><hr/><p><i><em>Remember, you aren't alone in the struggle of the daily grind; we’re in this together to build a business that serves your life, not the other way around.</em></i></p></div><p></p></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:14:20 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Who Really Defines Your Quality? (It's Probably Not You)]]></title><link>https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/post/keep-your-buckets-full1</link><description><![CDATA[“Are you waking up at 3:00 AM wondering if you have enough work for next month? Running a closet business is a balancing act, but it doesn't have to be a mystery. Discover how to use 'The Five Buckets' and the 8-week sliding average to see problems coming before they become emergencies.”]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_UkzR9d8aSIyjEzb-7_CKUg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_Ovw06ZWMS2uCedHNhRj0-w" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Zw6nj3soRmS83rhrsHM-Tw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Gj2QfPGyTgOuhW9Xspy8OQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/NEPgIjJPvPz.webp" alt="A playful, stylized cartoon illustration of a friendly 'Quality Control' detective inspecting a custom closet with a magnifying glass." style="width:467.43px !important;height:414px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><p><span>Do you ever look at a finished installation and think it’s the best work your </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> has ever produced, only to have the client focus on a tiny smudge on the floor? Have you ever spent thousands on high-end </span><b><strong>machines</strong></b><span> (aka CNC routers and edgebanders) to ensure millimeter-perfect cuts, yet the customer seems more impressed by how fast you returned their first phone call? Why is it that we often measure our worth by the &quot;grain match&quot; while our clients measure it by our &quot;punctuality&quot;?</span></p><p><span>In the </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span>, we are notorious for being our own harshest critics. We obsess over the joinery, the edgebanding, and the structural integrity of our melamine panels. But here is the hard truth we need to face together: </span><b><strong>Quality isn’t what you put into the job; quality is what the customer gets out of it.</strong></b></p><p><span>At Coleman Collaborations Consulting Group, we’ve seen it time and time again. You can have the most sophisticated </span><b><strong>shop</strong></b><span> in the state, but if the customer experience is clunky, your &quot;quality&quot; will be rated as poor. Let’s dive into how we can shift our right-brained, creative focus toward the type of quality that actually builds a referral-based empire.</span></p><h2><span>Quality is an Experience, Not Just an Aesthetic</span></h2><p><span>We often fall into the trap of thinking quality is a noun, a finished object sitting in a room. But for the homeowner, quality is a verb. It’s an ongoing feeling that starts the moment they find us and doesn't end until long after we’ve packed up our tools.</span></p><p><span>Think about it: Have you ever been to a five-star restaurant where the food was incredible, but the waiter was rude and the table was sticky? Did you leave thinking, &quot;What a high-quality experience&quot;? Probably not. In our </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span>, the &quot;food&quot; is the closet, but the &quot;service&quot; is everything else. If we want to be seen as premium providers, we have to stop looking only at the shelves and start looking at the schedule.</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/v6Y5K5xN9TW.webp" alt="A professional closet designer and a homeowner sitting at a desk with melamine samples, engaged in a collaborative discussion." style="width:811.58px !important;height:457px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>The &quot;Halo Effect&quot;: First Impressions Matter</span></h2><p><span>Our clients often don't know the difference between a cam-lock and a dowel. Because they aren't industry experts, they look for &quot;proxies&quot; for quality. This is what we call the </span><b><strong>Halo Effect</strong></b><span>, the tendency for a positive impression in one area to influence opinion in another.</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>Your Website:</strong></b><span> Is it clean, modern, and easy to navigate? If your website looks like it was built in 1998, the client assumes your designs are outdated, too.</span></li><li><b><strong>Your Voicemail:</strong></b><span> Do you have a professional greeting, or does it sound like you’re answering from the back of a noisy </span><b><strong>shop</strong></b><span>?</span></li><li><b><strong>Your Showroom:</strong></b><span> Even if it’s small, is it organized? An unorganized showroom suggests an unorganized installation.</span></li></ul><p><span>Are we showing up in a clean, wrapped van, or a beat-up truck with fast-food wrappers on the dashboard? These small details create a &quot;halo&quot; of professionalism that makes the client trust our craftsmanship before they ever see a single piece of board.</span></p><h2><span>Educating the Client on &quot;The Why&quot;</span></h2><p><span>Part of our job as consultants and mentors is helping you realize that your customers don't naturally know why you’re better than the &quot;big box&quot; guys. We have to teach them.</span></p><p><span>When we talk about our materials, we shouldn't just say &quot;we use melamine.&quot; We should explain </span><b><strong>TFL (Thermally Fused Laminate)</strong></b><span>, which is essentially a decorative paper resin fused directly to a core, and why its durability outperforms the cheap painted wood they might see elsewhere.</span></p><ul><li><b><strong>Shelf Sizing:</strong></b><span> Do they know why 14-inch depths are standard, or why we might suggest 16-inch for their heavy sweaters?</span></li><li><b><strong>Hardware:</strong></b><span> Why do we use full-extension, soft-close drawer slides?</span></li><li><b><strong>Weight Capacity:</strong></b><span> Have we explained how our rail systems (the &quot;bones&quot; of the closet) are anchored to ensure their wardrobe doesn't end up on the floor?</span></li></ul><p><span>When we educate, we aren't just selling; we are building a partnership of trust. We are showing them that our &quot;quality&quot; is backed by science and industry expertise.</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/iOYBl-HIe80.webp" alt="A high-end custom luxury walk-in closet with integrated lighting and gold accents." style="width:862px !important;height:969.4px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2><span>The Discovery Process: It's in the Details</span></h2><p><span>In the </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span>, a &quot;high-quality&quot; design is one that actually works for the human being using it. This is where the </span><b><strong>Discovery Process</strong></b><span> becomes our most valuable tool.</span></p><p><span>If we walk into a bedroom and just start measuring walls, we’ve already lost. We need to be asking granular, probing questions that demonstrate our deep expertise:</span></p><ul><li><span>&quot;How many pairs of shoes do you own, and do you prefer to see the toes or the heels?&quot;</span></li><li><span>&quot;Do you have more long-hang items like dresses, or short-hang like shirts and slacks?&quot;</span></li><li><span>&quot;Are you right-handed or left-handed?&quot; (Yes, this affects where we place pull-out mirrors and valet rods!)</span></li></ul><p><span>This is also where </span><b><strong>form vs. function</strong></b><span> matters. As creative, right-brained owners in the </span><b><strong>closet industry</strong></b><span>, we naturally love the </span><b><strong>form</strong></b><span>: the finish, the symmetry, the visual balance, the wow factor when the doors open. But the client is ultimately paying for </span><b><strong>function</strong></b><span>: Does it hold what they own? Does it make mornings easier? Does it solve the storage problem that pushed them to call us in the first place? A beautiful design that doesn't fit their real habits is still a miss. We have to make sure the look supports the lifestyle, not the other way around.</span></p><p><span>Tim talked about this well in his Front Office column, </span><b><strong>&quot;Selling by Asking Questions.&quot;</strong></b><span> Targeted, purposeful questions are what position us as the expert and help build deep trust. When we ask about shoe counts, hanging habits, folded items, accessories, and daily routines, we show the client that we are not guessing. We are diagnosing. That level of discovery tells the homeowner our </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> understands more than design; we understand how people actually live.</span></p><p><span>By asking these questions, we prove that our </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> isn't just selling boxes; we are selling a tailored lifestyle. That is the definition of quality.</span></p><h2><span>The Installation Hand-Off</span></h2><p><span>The most dangerous moment in any job is the transition from the </span><b><strong>shop</strong></b><span> to the home. This is where the client is most anxious. We’ve found that the &quot;physical&quot; quality of the installation is often overshadowed by the &quot;emotional&quot; quality of the hand-off.</span></p><p><span>How are we protecting their home? Are we using </span><b><strong>floor runners</strong></b><span> (protective mats) to keep their carpets clean? Are we wearing boot covers?</span></p><p><img src="https://cdn.marblism.com/cHVP2q_zTih.webp" alt="A closet industry installer carefully laying down a blue protective floor runner in a hallway." style="width:526.7px !important;height:297px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><p><span>Once the </span><b><strong>machines</strong></b><span> have done their work and the installers have finished the assembly, the &quot;walkthrough&quot; is your final chance to define quality. Don't just hand them an invoice and leave.</span></p><ol><li><b><strong>Walk the client through the space.</strong></b></li><li><b><strong>Demonstrate every feature.</strong></b><span> (Show them how the adjustable shelves work!)</span></li><li><b><strong>Wipe down the surfaces.</strong></b><span> (Seeing an installer with a microfiber cloth and glass cleaner is a massive &quot;quality&quot; signal).</span></li><li><b><strong>Ask for feedback.</strong></b><span> &quot;Does this meet the vision we talked about during our design session?&quot;</span></li></ol><h2><span>You Don't Have to Define Quality Alone</span></h2><p><span>Running a </span><b><strong>business</strong></b><span> in this industry is a balancing act between being a creative artist and a precise technician. It’s easy to get lost in the sawdust and forget that the customer is looking at the big picture.</span></p><p><span>If you’re feeling like your &quot;quality&quot; isn't being reflected in your profit margins, or if you’re struggling to communicate your value to your clients, we are here to help. Whether it's through our </span><b><strong>Business Barometer</strong></b><span>&nbsp;sessions or a deeper dive into your </span><b><strong>Magic Numbers</strong></b><span>, our goal is to help you build a </span><b><strong>shop</strong></b><span> that is as efficient as it is excellent.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.colemancollaborations.com/services"><b><strong>Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call with Tim today.</strong></b></a><span> Let’s talk about how we can make your business the gold standard in your market.</span></p><p><span>Running a business is a heavy lift, but remember: you don’t have to carry the boards alone.</span></p></div><p></p></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:14:20 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Who Really Defines Your Quality? (Hint: It’s Probably Not You)]]></title><link>https://www.colemancollaborations.com/blogs/post/who-really-defines-your-quality-hint-it-s-probably-not-you</link><description><![CDATA[Have you ever delivered a closet you were proud of, only to realize the customer saw the project very differently? Do you ever wonder why a client que ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_Xj5LBCZjTDGpiaHUuas3Zw" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_-DRQpC-BTDedkkbZxyUxwA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_dholIC9fQwCVOkSwmPcsTg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm__k2hxUwmQEmoL9nQC6-aug" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><p>Have you ever delivered a closet you were proud of, only to realize the customer saw the project very differently? Do you ever wonder why a client questions your <span style="font-weight:600;">custom closet pricing</span> even when your work is flawless? Have you considered that your definition of &quot;quality&quot; might be completely different from theirs?</p><p>In the world of the <span style="font-weight:600;">closet organization business</span>, we often lean hard into design. We talk about beautiful finishes, elegant displays, and the visual wow-factor of a space. And yes, those things matter. But here is the reality we have to face: the customer doesn't define &quot;quality&quot; by looks alone. They experience it in the balance between great design and everyday function.</p><p>Based on our latest insights featured in <em>Closets &amp; Organized Storage Magazine</em>, we are diving deep into who really defines your quality. Spoiler alert: it’s the person writing the check.</p><h2 style="font-weight:600;">The Quality Paradox in the Closet Business</h2><p>We’ve all been there. We spend weeks designing and installing a beautiful closet system that looks amazing in the showroom or renderings, only to have a client feel disappointed because it doesn’t function the way they live day to day, or because the installer left a smudge on the light switch or showed up ten minutes late. Suddenly, in their mind, the &quot;quality&quot; of the entire project has plummeted.</p><p>Why does this happen? Because quality isn't just about how a closet looks; it's about how it works and how the customer experiences the entire journey. In our <span style="font-weight:600;">closet business</span>, we need to balance &quot;Design Quality&quot; with &quot;Functional Quality&quot; and &quot;Experience Quality.&quot;</p><p><img src="/Headshot.jpg" style="width:228px !important;height:303.9px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h2 style="font-weight:600;">Step 1: The First Impression (The Invisible Quality)</h2><p>Before a client ever touches a piece of <span style="font-weight:600;">melamine</span>, they are judging your quality. How? Through your digital and physical presence.</p><ul><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Your Website:</span> Is it professional and easy to navigate, or does it look like a relic from 2005?</li><li><span style="font-weight:600;">The Showroom:</span> Is it tidy, showcasing clean displays of <span style="font-weight:600;">laminate</span> finishes and polished details, or is it a cluttered mess of sample scraps and dust?</li><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Communication:</span> How fast do you return that first phone call?</li></ul><p>If our first point of contact is messy, the customer assumes our work will be messy too. We call this the <span style="font-weight:600;">&quot;Halo Effect&quot; aka &quot;First Impression Bias.&quot;</span> If you nail the first impression, the customer is already predisposed to believe your final product will be high-quality. If you fail here, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle on <span style="font-weight:600;">custom closet pricing</span> for the rest of the sales cycle.</p><h3 style="font-weight:600;">Probing Questions for Your Business:</h3><ul><li>When was the last time you looked at your website from a mobile phone?</li><li>Does your voicemail greeting sound like a professional business or a distracted hobbyist?</li><li>Are your showroom samples dusty? (Trust us, the customer notices.)</li></ul><h2 style="font-weight:600;">Step 2: Educating the Customer (The &quot;Why&quot; Behind the Price)</h2><p>Quality is often defined by what the customer <em>knows</em>. Most homeowners are drawn to the design first: the finish, the lighting, the island, the glass doors, the jewelry insert. But they don't always understand the functional decisions behind a truly successful closet. They may not immediately see why a <span style="font-weight:600;">soft-close aka damper</span> mechanism, the right shelf spacing, or the correct mix of hanging and drawer storage is worth the extra investment.</p><p>Part of our job is to educate them. When we explain the &quot;why,&quot; we are building the &quot;value.&quot;</p><p><img src="/Full%20Extension%20Drawer%20Slide.webp" style="width:524.68px !important;height:296px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><p>When we talk about materials, we should be using plain language. Tell them why you use <span style="font-weight:600;">melamine</span> for many closet systems: because it offers a durable, consistent finish, a wide range of colors and textures, and practical performance for everyday storage. And if you use <span style="font-weight:600;">MDF aka Medium Density Fibreboard</span> for painted components, explain that clearly too. Then connect that back to function. Are the shelves sized for handbags or folded sweaters? Is there enough double-hang for real wardrobe needs? Will the drawers and accessories support the way they actually use the space? When you educate them, you aren't just selling a closet; you're selling expertise. That expertise is a massive part of the quality equation.</p><h2 style="font-weight:600;">Step 3: The Selling Process as a Quality Metric</h2><p>In our collaboration services, we emphasize the <span style="font-weight:600;">Needs Assessment aka Discovery Phase</span>. This is where true quality begins in the sales process.</p><p>Are you just taking measurements, or are you asking deep questions?</p><ul><li>&quot;How many pairs of shoes do you <em>really</em> have?&quot;</li><li>&quot;Do you prefer to hang your pants by the cuff or fold them over a hanger?&quot;</li><li>&quot;Who else is using this space?&quot;</li></ul><p>When we show this level of care, the customer feels heard. In their mind, a &quot;quality&quot; designer is one who solves their specific problems, not just one who creates a pretty layout or fills a wall with boxes, shelves, and hanging space. In the closet industry, design often gets the spotlight, but functionality is what gets lived with every day. If your sales process is rushed and transactional, your quality will be perceived as low, regardless of how nice the closet system looks.</p><h2 style="font-weight:600;">Step 4: The Installation: Where the Rubber Meets the Road</h2><p>This is where many a <span style="font-weight:600;">closet organization business</span> fails the quality test. The renderings were beautiful, the design presentation was exciting, but the final result either didn't function as promised or the installation was a nightmare.</p><p><img src="/Levelling%20a%20Shelf.webp" style="width:419.44px !important;height:238px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><p>Quality installation includes:</p><ol><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Site Protection:</span> Using floor runners and dust barriers.</li><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Professionalism:</span> Installers who are polite, professional, and respectful of the home.</li><li><span style="font-weight:600;">The Hand-off:</span> Walking the customer through the finished project, showing them how to adjust shelves, and ensuring every drawer glides perfectly.</li></ol><p>If your installer leaves a pile of laminate dust and packaging debris in the driveway, that is the &quot;quality&quot; the customer will remember. We need to remember that we are guests in their most private space: their closet.</p><h2 style="font-weight:600;">How We Can Help You Redefine Your Quality</h2><p>At Coleman Collaborations, we don't just look at your drawings; we look at your entire business ecosystem. Our Business Operations Consulting is designed to help you bridge the gap between the quality you <em>think</em> you provide and the quality your customer <em>perceives</em>.</p><h3 style="font-weight:600;">Our Methodology:</h3><p>We transition from a conceptual overview of your brand to tangible, actionable deliverables, including:</p><ul><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Workflow Optimization:</span> Streamlining your lead-to-install process.</li><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Financial Mentoring:</span> Helping you understand your <span style="font-weight:600;">&quot;number sense&quot; aka financial literacy</span> to price for profit.</li><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Sales Strategy:</span> Teaching your team how to sell value over price.</li></ul><p><img src="/Tim%20Working%20with%20Man%20at%20Laptop.webp" style="width:516.77px !important;height:292px !important;max-width:100% !important;"/></p><h3 style="font-weight:600;">Tangible Deliverables You Can Expect:</h3><ul><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Custom Financial Spreadsheets:</span> No more guessing on your margins.</li><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Marketing Roadmap:</span> A clear plan to attract high-value clients.</li><li><span style="font-weight:600;">Operational SOPs aka Standard Operating Procedures:</span> Ensuring every job meets your high standards of &quot;experience quality.&quot;</li></ul><p>Are you ready to stop competing on price and start winning on quality? Let's take a look at your KPI reports together and see where the gaps between design, functionality, and customer experience are hiding in your business.</p><p>Quality is a promise made and a promise kept. It’s the peace of mind your customer feels when they hire a true professional. It's the confidence they have in your <span style="font-weight:600;">custom closet pricing</span> because they know they are getting a space that looks great, works well, and delivers on what was promised.</p><p><span style="font-weight:600;">Building a business is hard; you don’t have to do it alone.</span></p><p>If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day operations of your <span style="font-weight:600;">closet business</span>, let’s talk. We can hop on a <span style="font-weight:600;"><a href="https://tim-colemancollaborations.zohobookings.com/#/4748516000000101184" title=" 30 Minute Discovery Call " target="_blank" rel="">30 Minute Discovery Call</a></span> to see if our mentoring is the right fit for your goals. No pressure, just a conversation between two people who love great closet design and the thrill of a job well done.</p></div><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_JqrLudLzQe-eKooHcycHYA" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center zpbutton-align-mobile-center zpbutton-align-tablet-center"><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-oval " href="https://tim-colemancollaborations.zohobookings.com/#/4748516000000101184"><span class="zpbutton-content">Schedule Your Free 30 minute Discovery Call</span></a></div>
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