On this week’s “From the Tap” KBB podcast, we spoke to the overall KBB Person of the Year winner, Cheryl Kees Clendenon – along with five of the seven praiseworthy picks – about their accomplishments and how they are helping our industry.
Clendenon, who is owner and lead designer of In Detail Interiors, became an expert on the Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic and used her skills to help others apply for this necessary benefit. She has a passion for small businesses and helping others in her industry succeed, which is why she was chosen for this award. She shared a lot of information in her Small Business Think Big Facebook group and kept pushing peers to look into the PPP. She also shared the most important lesson she’s learned throughout her career, so watch the video or listen to the podcast to find out what that is.
Jonathan Brill, president and founder of Amityville, N.Y.-based Infinity Drain, came up with several innovative donation ideas for his community that culminated with the onset of the pandemic and are still being developed and implemented more than a year later. He and his team are also helping with the food insecurity happening in his area and created Mission Bellyful, which aims to eliminate hunger in his community.
Patricia Davis Brown, owner of Patricia Davis Brown Designs LLC in Vero Beach, Fla., was hired by a second luxury home developer – increasing sales by 50% during the pandemic – and she believes the younger generations are the best independent workers. She says she learns just as much from them as they do from her and appreciates that she doesn’t have to micromanage them. She also shared more from her upcoming Voices from the Industry Session titled: How to Diversify Your Business Offerings and Create Multiple Income Streams.
Sarah Robertson, owner of Studio Dearborn in Hudson Valley, N.Y., is currently a brand ambassador or consultant for Dacor, Samsung, California Faucets, Bradco Stainless, Schrocks of Walnut Creek and Docking Drawer, and she is also on the Renovation Angel Board of Directors. She shared with us her history with Steve Feldman, creator of Renovation Angel, as well as her secrets to success with her many social media platforms, including TikTok.
Markie Tuckett, owner of Timber + Plumb Inc. in Windsor, Ontario, says the main thing she learned during her career is that the age-old phrase “community over competition” is really the truth. She created the Stay Golden Grant during the pandemic to help a small business in need – donating her own money – and says great things are in store for the program moving forward. The winner of last year’s grant was able to quit her full-time job and run her own business with her family.
Nick Vanderhovel, owner, Kitchen NV in Pinckney, Mich., recently started his own business after working with his family for 10 years. He is also one of the youngest people in the country to receive his CMKBD. He admitted that he took the chance the venture out into the wilderness and that it was pretty daunting at first.
Vanderhovel and the other KBB Person of the Year podcast participants shared with us what they have in store for the near future, so please Watch the full video above or listen to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Pandora and other outlets.
