Ind epe n de nt May/June 2020
GIVING BACK IN A CRISIS H OLDI N G COMMU N I T Y C LOS E : Staying Connected During the COVID-19 Pandemic An ALLPRO® Publication
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AT THE MIKE | COVID-19
@ A L L PROCOR P
FINDING INSPIRATION IN ADVERSITY
MI CHAEL BEAUDOI N Executive Vice President ALLPRO Corporation
S P O T L I G H T:
t the time of writing this article, April 9th, the world feels so radically different than it did just 40 days ago. This time back in late February we were working on the last-minute details of what was going to be our largest show in a new venue. Business was robust and aside from some distant headwinds caused by a then little known coronavirus, the excitement for a great year was shared by everyone. As the days got closer to the show date, those headwinds started to increase. On the Sunday before the show and leading up to the opening reception, I began fielding calls from an increasingly concerned ALLPRO community, which I understood. Still, we proceeded with the show with the rationale that anyone (member or supplier) could choose not to attend. It may have ended up being the last major show of any kind in the western world with approximately 1,100 people attending. As the show progressed, the world changed quickly, and it took on a different meaning for all attending. People were careful with how they engaged each other,
6 Giving Back in a Crisis ALLPRO Members Make a Difference in the Fight Against COVID-19 10 New Members Talk Welcoming New Members to the ALLPRO Family
but the camaraderie was greatly elevated with people sensing what was coming. Attendees realized that it was a gift to be together and enjoyed the great property, as well as the hospitable San Antonio surroundings. We conducted business, attended meetings, golfed, participated in a 5k race, raised money for charity, celebrated at a cattle ranch with an incredible band, and most of all just enjoyed being together in this amazing ALLPRO group that is only great because of the people (members and suppliers). Virtually every one of those activities were impossible to do within days of returning from the show. My closing comments at the Knibbe Ranch, that turned out to be the ultimate closing party, was that it is a gift for us to be together and that the world we were going to return to would be vastly different than the one we left. That turned out to be the case. Soon after the show, the world that we are in today materialized. As in other crises that we have been confronted with, the group responded as it is still doing today. Starting with utilizing the show, members sensed there were going to be demands on inventory and having access to 130 suppliers at the show gave them an advantage. They had the ability to purchase effectively and compete for that supply by having everyone together. They were able to meet with suppliers and leverage their relationships – putting together special deals that enabled them to compete at a greater level. The best advantage of being together at the show was the knowledge sharing between members. Having relationships with other members, even the ones that share the same geographies, greatly assisted everyone as the onset of the quarantining, closing, exemptions, etc. started to quickly impact business. The amount of communication from the members with each other, sharing ideas and strategies to fight and to serve their communities and their employees was a distinct advantage.
16 Spring Show Recap Highlights from the Spring Show in San Antonio, Texas 20 NextGen ALLPRO’s NextGen Committee Marches into the Future
No member was alone, and the collective knowledge, creativity, and ingenuity was shared by all. The ALLPRO office also went into gear facilitating the communication amongst the members and the suppliers. Just as our members were fighting, our suppliers were challenged in many of the same ways trying to keep their employees safe while navigating the changing demands of their business. We engaged our suppliers and assured them of the strength of the group and the inherent strength of our members. But even with that strength, our members will need our financial support by working with them in the coming months as they recalibrate their business. I am grateful for the many suppliers that took the initiative offering split payments and extended terms to our members. They did this out of confidence and dedication to the group. The ones that I engaged that couldn’t help, it wasn’t out of lack of desire, just their financial ability. I also thank our members for paying their bills in March even though many of them were terrified of what could come. By paying the March bill, it instilled the confidence necessary that led to the help in April with more coming in May. The distribution centers kicked into gear procuring PPE products, making decisions on pool buys, and desperately trying to compete for goods. We used the buying power of all three warehouses to sell members over $500K of masks with most of them being donated to local hospitals. We secured disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and gloves from several sources including many of them from Canada. In many cases the leads for inventory came from our members who are helping us get more products to help the entire group. The efforts continue today with the warehouses being an effective way to procure needed products for the group. This will improve once we add our fourth warehouse in Kansas City. (continued on next page)
22 The Finish Line ALLPRO Members Run for a Cause 26 Knibbe Ranch Celebrating Southern Style with a Texas Cookout
28 Social Distancing Making the Most of Your Time at Home 32 Holding Community Close Staying Connected During the COVID-19 Pandemic
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 3
INDEPENDENT | ON THE BLOCK
al l p r o m e m b e r m il e s t one
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3
Congratulations to Norberg Paints as they celebrate 135 years in business! Their team has been serving the Sioux Falls community in South Dakota since 1885 and are currently in their sixth generation of leadership. The company started when two out-of-work painters from Sweden, S. Albert and his brother, Peter, were heading to the train station with plans of moving to California in search of work. A contractor offered them jobs that would get them through the winter, convincing them to stay. They eventually bought the contractor out, marking the genesis of Norberg Paints.
ALLPRO Leadership President Elliot Greenberg Executive Vice President Mike Beaudoin Vice President of Merchandising Scott Morath Marketing Coordinator Susie Fontana
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HIRSHFIELD’S added a new location in Little Canada, MN; HOME DÉCOR GROUP opened a new store in Natick, MA; and MALLORY PAINT is scheduled to open their 20th store, located in Monroe, WA, later this spring.
SHARE YOUR NEWS! If you are involved in a community event, special project, charity, or are celebrating a milestone please share your news with Susie Fontana at susanne.fontana@allprocorp.com.
About ALLPRO Independent We are a bimonthly publication dedicated to strengthening the ALLPRO community with relevant stories and news. Your suggestions, opinions, and feedback are encouraged.
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Congratulations to the following members on their recent expansions:
How to Reach Us Write to us at ALLPRO Corporation 4946 Joanne Kearney Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619 Or contact us at 813.628.4800 or by email at allpro@allprocorp.com All publishing services provided by Gallon Creative www.galloncreative.com
(continued from p.3) The most inspiring of recent experiences has been watching members quickly retool and find a way to help their communities and reinvent their business. Numerous members are now doing business via the internet with curbside delivery; they are engaging new customers in different ways that would not have seemed possible 40 days ago. The fighter mentality of the group can best be illustrated when I called a member in mid-March asking if they wanted to get out of a large pool buy commitment they made. They said no way, I am going to fight my way through this, and I am counting on you [ALLPRO] to have products and a lot of them to help me do it. There were several engagements with a similar sentiment with not thinking of failure but ways in which they can navigate and capitalize. Just as the world we went back to after the show wasn’t the same, our business and how it is conducted will not be the same after this is over. What I am very confident in, is that our members will reinvent themselves and our group will be more relevant in the new world because of our collective strength.
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INDEPENDENT | COVID-19
GIVING BACK IN A CRISIS
ALLPRO Members making a Difference in the Fight Against Covid-19 There’s no denying that 2020 has brought along unprecedented challenges for our ALLPRO community, and we’re all trying to navigate a new normal and do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Many of us are facing the difficult prospect or reality of having to close our doors to comply with government regulations, wondering how employee checks will be paid—all while grappling with the very real threat this virus poses to our families and loved ones. It’s so easy to become consumed by all the anxiety that’s circulating, especially when turning on the six o’clock news can feel like watching a nightmare reel. Every morning, we wake up to a new headline about a new city being forced into lockdown, another hospital that is running out of ICU beds. es, we have seen how fear can multiply, but we are also learning that generosity and hope can be just as contagious. What we need now more than ever is to search for the stories that speak to our resilience, the ones that can offer hope and remind us of the ways in which communities are showing up for one another, helping to ease the extra burdens this pandemic has placed upon us. Seeking out and celebrating these small acts of kindness and bravery brings us hope in uncertain times. We’ve been so inspired seeing the way our members have rallied together to support their communities and frontline workers. Some of us are uniquely positioned to help, since the N95 masks that are in incredibly high demand are the same masks used by contractors and painters. Despite being faced with their own struggles and challenges amid this health and economic crisis, our retailers have 6 | May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT
looked beyond themselves and stepped up to the plate to give back to those who need it most right now. Leading by example, ALLPRO president and JC Licht owner, Elliot Greenberg, made the decision to pull their stock of N95 masks and donate them to Chicagoland hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes. In addition to this generous donation, JC Licht has transformed their delivery business to serve the communities’ senior population, opening up a hotline for those most at risk. “If they need anything at all, their medication, milk, something to read, they just have to call the number and we will leave it at their front door. Additionally, if someone is worried about an elderly person that they can’t reach, we will go to their house wearing protective gear and do a wellness check,”shares Sharon McGuckin, Vice President of Retail at JC Licht.
Dages Hikes Point Paint & Wallpaper manager, Justin Amburgey, shown with members of the Fern Creek Fire Department making a donation to Baptist Healthcare and the Fern Creek Fire Department
This spirit of generosity seems to have spread itself throughout the ALLPRO community, with numerous members donating masks, gloves and protective gear as well as services and support to many in need. A few examples of the many selfless members and suppliers who make our hearts swell with their good deeds are Terry Dacey, owner of Hadlock’s House of Paint in Victor, New York, who donated over 6,000 N95 masks to Rochester General Hospital. He also donated a small supply to Foodlink to help protect workers preparing food and groceries for community distribution. Barrydowne Paint of Sudbury, Ontario, donated 300 N95 respirator masks to Health Sciences North to support the health-care workers and first responders, many of whom are friends and family of Barrydowne staff members. Spectrum Paint Co. donated thousands of N95 masks from their distribution center to local hospitals in their communities of Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. Dages Hikes Point Paint & Wallpaper in Louisville, Kentucky, donated all of their personal protective devices to Fern Creek Fire Department and Baptist Healthcare and Grauer’s Paint & Decorating Center of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, donated gloves to Lancaster Behavioral Hospital. These acts of kindness and generosity are inspiring. We’ve all made sacrifices to help slow the spread of COVID-19, whether it be a sudden drop in earnings, transitioning to curbside pick-up or having to lay off employees that feel like family. It’s important that we band together during this difficult time, remember that there is still plenty of goodness in this world and smile at the prospect of the day when we will have overcome this hurdle. From all of us at ALLPRO, we thank all our members that are making sacrifices, small and big, to end this pandemic and save as many lives as possible. We’re proud to have you as a part of our family and we look forward to the day when we can gather once again.
Barrydowne Paint’s donation to Health Sciences North
Chad Newcomer from Grauer’s Paint & Decorating Center donating to Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital
Spectrum Paint’s Virginia team donating masks to Bon Secours Richmond Health System.
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 7
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INDEPENDENT | NEW MEMBERS TALK
NEW MEMBER JA NE A. SM IT HM B E R NEW ME
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We caught up with some of ALLPRO’s newest members to find out a little bit more about them, what they’re looking forward to as members of ALLPRO, and how they are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us in welcoming them to the ALLPRO family!
Roberts Decorator Supply
Enterprise Paint
Sherman, TX
Enterprise, AL
Owner: Mike Goolsby, since 1992 Been In Business Since: 1966 Number of Stores: 1 Joined ALLPRO: January, 2020 Looking Forward to: “I like the contact that I get to make with other dealers; the information I can get from other members is really helpful.” San Antonio Spring Show Highlight: “Learning how to make the most of the buying opportunities.” Wants to Talk to Other Members About: “Insurance is a huge cost for us, so it would be great to hear how other members are handling that.” How COVID-19 has Impacted Them: The retail side of things have seen a downturn, but thankfully they’ve been able to lean on their industry relationships. They’ve been declared an essential service so they’ve been able to continue operating in accordance with social distancing measures. What They’re Doing: “We clean our store, doors, counters, screens, everything every two hours. We wear our face masks to be able to go out to people’s cars.”
In Business Since: 35-40 years General Manager: Lucas Simmons Number of Stores: 1 Joined ALLPRO: 2020 How They Got On Board: “One of the other paint stores recommended ALLPRO reach out to us.” Looking Forward To: “Just being a part of a group, kind of like a community. And going to the ALLPRO show and feeling that sense of family, everybody knows everybody. The extra discounts and additional terms will really help our cash flow.” San Antonio Spring Show Highlight: “It was really great meeting everybody and just having a good time.” Wants to Talk to Other Members About: “I would like to talk to other more experienced members about how they use ALLPRO to their advantage. Strategize.” How COVID-19 Has Impacted Them: “Here in our city of Enterprise, we’ve only seen about ten cases, but we’ve actually been a lot busier. The industrial side of things has been busy but also our walk-in customers, so many people are at home from work and bored.” What They’re Doing: “We can’t have more than ten people in the store. We’ve been sanitizing everywhere, and just trying to help our customers practice social distancing.”
Mike and his team wanted to send their well wishes to the rest of the ALLPRO family as well: “We hope that everyone stays safe and that all our fellow business people get through this without being too badly hurt… we wish them great success.”
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Lucas and his team are very much enjoying being ALLPRO members and look forward to getting to know you all better!
Santa Barbara Paint
Ideal Home and Paint
Santa Barbara, CA
St. George, UT
Joined ALLPRO: July, 2019 In Business Since: Early 90s Owner: Art Prado How They Got On Board: “Vendors mentioned to us that we should become members only because we were transitioning and going to be able to take advantage of the type of support and promotions that ALLPRO has.” Looking Forward To: “The networking, the resources, and the savings.” San Antonio Spring Show Highlight: “I’ve been doing this for twenty-eight years and I’ve never been able to sit down one-on-one and really have a dialogue about concerns that I have and questions that I can pose to people that just want to share their experience.” How COVID-19 Has Impacted Them: “We see that on the community level there’s a lot of uncertainty and fear and that usually will lead to restricting buying or socializing. And then on a business level that translates to a lot of existing projects being halted or stopped entirely. That affects sales… historical data and forecasting is out the window.” What They’re Doing: “We’ve changed our store hours, how we’re interacting with the public, pre-paid options, delivery so they’re not even coming in the store…. We’re limiting services that we’d normally really love to have, we’re limiting our exposure on those job sites that have been deemed essential. We’re trying our best to continue being there for our community and remain a functioning business while keeping everyone safe.”
Joined ALLPRO: January, 2020 In Business Since: 1974 Owner: Roy Odette (Second Generation) How They Got On Board: “One of our employees had talked to us about ALLPRO and we have been trying for many years to get affiliated with them. As a little guy you’ve got to do a lot of work to be better, to be competitive in that realm.” Looking Forward To: “Access to competitive pricing, access to unique product lines, association with other people that are in the business… being able to rub shoulders with them and pick their brains. A competitor of ours is in the same market and having that kind of connection will eventually lead to a less hostile environment and actually being able to work with them.” San Antonio Spring Show Highlight: “It was the best trade show I’ve ever been to in terms of providing value to me.” Wants to Talk to Other Members About: “Selling product. Strategies around sales.” How COVID-19 Has Impacted Them: “We’re one of five states that hasn’t gone state-wide with the lockdown. There are a total of 20 people that have it in our city. We have seen an increase in business… people that are staying home are getting focused on doing some home projects.” What They’re Doing: “We have put in some best practices. We try to be representative of a good community steward. Wearing surgical gloves, wiping the counter down, those kinds of things.”
“We support each other and with support we have more strength and the ability to weather this. What ALLPRO and the vendors are doing is amazing; to give us extended payment terms, because the next few months are going to be critical, but when we believe we’re not alone, when we believe there are more people out there willing to help out, I think that’s key.”
Ray and his team are very excited to be associated with ALLPRO. “We’re looking to add significant value not just in terms of pricing, but also in terms of training and the association with quality people.” They look forward to getting to know you all!
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 11
Brackin Paint & Supply
InSIDE Out Paint Centers
Dothan, AL
Roswell & Marietta, GA
Joined ALLPRO: January, 2020 In Business Since: 1982 Owner: Brad Brackin How They Got On Board: “Someone had mentioned it in passing that we should join ALLPRO, and then last November or December, Richard’s Paint, one of the companies we purchase coatings from, had mentioned to an ALLPRO rep, John Shingledecker (who is awesome, by the way) that he ought to come talk to us. When we looked at the extra discount, we saw that we could get our return on our investment back within six months.” Looking Forward To: “The buying power and better profit margins. We were very excited about what we saw in San Antonio, there are a lot of ALLPRO branded products that we’ll get better pricing on. The brand marketing, they’ve done a really good job.” San Antonio Spring Show Highlights: “Every booth we went to at the ALLPRO show was a potential supplier. We learned an awful lot and we found a lot of suppliers.” Wants to Talk With Other Members About: “Find out what their success stories with ALLPRO have been. I know we’ve all got them!” How COVID-19 Has Impacted Them: “Right now, because we do so much with industrial accounts, we move a lot of Isopropyl Alcohol, a lot of gloves, a lot of respirators, so we’re considered an essential business. Our walk-in traffic has slowed tremendously. People are staying at home. We’ve been running deliveries, we’re still selling [homeimprovement] products but it’s slowed down.” What They’re Doing: “We’ve implemented curbside pick-up. We’re trying to do the six-foot rule and keep everybody safe here.”
Joined ALLPRO: San Antonio Spring Show, 2020 Been In Business Since: 2016 Owner: John Gregory How They Got on Board: “John Shingledecker reached out and we had a conversation. I had wanted to be involved for a number of years.” San Antonio Spring Show Highlight: “I liked the aspect of having some of the larger dealers across the nation all being present and the opportunity to interact with vendors.” Most Looking Forward To: “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to meet and learn from new dealers… do some knowledge-sharing. There are plenty of lessons to be learned. There’s an openness to the group. If you’re an ALLPRO member and you want to talk about something, start asking questions!” Wants to Talk To Other Members About: Marketing! How COVID-19 Has Impacted Them: “Our business was up initially… right around St. Patrick’s Day we saw a huge uptick in retail sales. But as things continue to evolve, and we got to ‘shelter in place’, we’ve seen a noticeable downturn in both DIY and pro business. I think we’re going to know more over the course of the next week or two.” What They’re Doing: “We rapidly moved to curbside pick-up with call-ahead service and credit card only transactions. I said if I want to stay open, I need to be responsible, and the responsible thing to do was to shut down the showroom. I’ve got to keep my employees healthy and comfortable coming to work. We issued guidance to our customers that we would offer delivery within 24 hours, but to be honest, curbside is where it’s at. People want to get out of the house!”
“My son and I and our entire company, we’re very excited about being a member of ALLPRO. At the San Antonio Show it seemed like everybody was on the same team… I wish we had heard about ALLPRO sooner.”
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“We’re all in this together. We will prevail, we need warriors, not wimps, we have to go out into society in a responsible manner, but my view in general is that we’ve got to hit this thing head on, you can’t sit in the house and wait for the all-clear. There is risk every single day, being alive, there is risk. But it’s important to continue to live.”
Mark’s Paint Mart
Eagle Paint & Wallpaper
Oakland, CA
Englewood, NJ
Joined ALLPRO: February, 2020 Been In Business Since: 1973 Owner: Tony Rago How They Got on Board: “We’ve known about ALLPRO for the last 20 years or so. We’ve wanted to join for years, and by the end of last year… the time was right.” San Antonio Spring Show Highlight: “I enjoyed meeting other members, new and veteran. The networking, to sum it up.” Most Looking Forward to: “The power of the buying group and the discounts that will be available to us. Just being able to better serve our customers with inventory that we didn’t have access to before.” Wants to Talk to Other Members About: “Marketing plans, point-of-sale and credit card transactions. I know other people in our market have been successful with these things and I’d love to talk to them.” How COVID-19 Has Impacted Them: “The city itself is pretty much being shut down. They are going to be tearing up the front of our street for the next couple of months and that’s still going on. Our business is still pretty strong for the amount of hours that we’re open. We’re only open 30 hours a week. The retail trade is still coming in, but as of last week all of our major accounts have shut it down. I think we’re going to find out next week what kind of drop off we’re dealing with.” What They’re Doing: “I’m still paying my employees for full days even if they are working half days. We’re only allowing three customers in at a time. We’ve set up the tape on the floor indicating where people can stand. People for the most part have been pretty receptive. We’re trying to do the best we can.”
Joined ALLPRO: 2020 Been in Business Since: 1948 Motto: “Today’s Paint Store with Yesterday’s Small Business Values” Owner: Joe Pisarri Number of Stores: 2 Eagle Paint & Wallpaper has been serving the Englewood community for decades with their knowledgeable staff, passionate service, and custom solutions. They pride themselves on their status as “not just another paint store” and their willingness to go the extra mile for their customers. This striving toward excellence is how we know they will fit into our ALLPRO community seamlessly. We weren’t able to connect with Eagle Paint & Wallpaper for this issue, but we’re very much looking forward to getting to know them!
“I’m glad we were able to join and we’re looking forward to seeing what this is going to all be like once all this is over. Just hoping life can get back to normal soon and then we can really see what this is all about!”
To all our new members: we’re so happy to welcome you on board and look forward to all the memories and successes we have yet to share!
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 13
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SAN ANTONIO | RECAP
16 | May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT
san antonio spring show recap highlight of each year for many ALLPRO members and vendors alike is the Spring Show. This year, ALLPRO hosted 1,100 people at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. Starting the weekend in a similar fashion to last year, both members and vendors were welcomed with the pre-show breakfast (delicious as always). This year’s show opened with a video that showcased a number of the ALLPRO members sharing what they were most looking forward to at the show, some benefits that they take home from ALLPRO membership, and a recap of what is on the horizon for 2020. It was a timely reminder of what brings us all together and a hefty dose of inspiration is always a great motivator to make the most of the time we have. Little did we know when we sat down together for our first meal of the weekend that the world was about to be turned upside down, and it would be the last time for many to get the chance to gather in such a large group. As we weather the COVID-19 storm together, memories like these ones are given an added weight in our hearts, and they reminds us how lucky we are to have such a wonderful group to belong to.
In addition to greetings from group president, Elliott Greenberg, individual store achievements were celebrated and Mike Beaudoin shared a number of exciting ideas and goals that are on deck for the months and years to come. Mike shared that our group is continuing to experience growth, with 50 new members added in a four-year period, reporting that our total store count grew from 1,400 in 2015 to just under 2,000 in 2020. Our distribution centers are growing, too, expanding the ALLPRO brand by making our products more accessible to our members. These larger distribution centers allow for large-pool buys on key items, generating more savings that can be passed along to our members. Mike also revealed that a fourth distribution center will be opening in Kansas City, Missouri, sometime in the third quarter of 2020. Furthermore, Mike announced that ALLPRO has designated 2020 as an investment year which will focus on incorporating new technologies that will help support ALLPRO’s growth. In addition to the new scanning app that has been made available (this can be used to purchase products from the distribution center on any member’s smartphone), there is a plan to launch a new member payment portal that will electronically balance payments and statements.
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 17
For members looking to fulfill POs and shore up new products for store shelves, the show floor made for jam-packed days. Straight after breakfast, many hit the floor with an agenda and strategy to get it all done in order to stay ahead of schedule and be ready to hit the links or get in some sightseeing after lunch.
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“ M emories like these ones are given an added weight in our hearts, and they remind us how lucky we are to have such a wonderful group to belong to.”
Day two started early, but with an added sense of excitement and competition. Members made their way to their list of booths and vendors were poised and ready to process member orders. The air was filled with the familiar friendly banter of members talking shop and sharing tips and tactics, but also about who had their speedy shoes primed and ready to dominate at the 5k that was up next on the itinerary. Who would be the first to cross the finish line: a member, vendor, perhaps a special guest? This was the first time the Spring Show has incorporated a charity run, so there was an added zest and excitement involved in forging this new tradition. It turns out, some ALLPRO members could very likely have a promising career as distance runners should the paint thing ever start getting old! Day three arrived with the finish line in sight. Members took some time to review their budgets, confirm their orders, and make decisions about new programs or products to fill out their roster of offerings. The closing of the show culminated with suppliers lending a helping hand or roll of packing tape to their booth neighbors, members lining up for their payday from Jonathan at the ALLPRO desk, with some saying their heartfelt goodbyes until next year, while others returned to their room and prepared for the wrap party by donning their best cowboy hats and two-steppin’ boots!
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 19
NEXTGEN | COMMITTEE UPDATE
by Kelly Scott, Barrydowne Paint
Solidifying a commitment to ALLPRO’s future has been on Michael Beaudoin’s radar for the past two years. But now, after hosting two NextGen ALLPRO Universities in New Orleans in 2018 and in New Jersey in 2019, ALLPRO is not only talking the talk, it’s walking the walk – by introducing the newly-formed NextGen Committee. Along with my fellow committee members Ash Ebbo of Clement’s Paint, TX; Rachel O’Connor of General Paints Group in Ireland; Sean Paul from Dugan’s Paint in Sedalia, MO; Patrick Smith from Regal Paint Centers in Silver Spring, MD; and David Steuerman from PACOA in Port Washington, NY; I was honored to be asked to establish and lead this network of up-and-coming ALLPRO owners and key associates. The mission of this new group is to blend the experience and leadership that we find today at ALLPRO, with the next generation’s understanding of our changing business environment, technology, and their own strong desire to make their mark on our industry. By doing this, we create the conditions for our group and the independent channel to grow stronger, and improve upon the legacy of success within ALLPRO. Our mandate is to work together to build a strong support group that will help the next generation transition into ownership and leadership roles. In addition, NextGen will help plan and execute leadership and skills development opportunities for all members, including the next ALLPRO University planned for 2021.
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ALLPRO NextGen University, New Orleans 2018
The More, the Merrier
The NextGen Committee is, by nature, a collaborative and team-oriented group. We want to keep the door open to new opportunities, ideas, and people. That’s why we decided to invite some special guests to our first meeting – to share their perspectives on the challenges ALLPRO faces and how the NextGen Committee can help meet those needs going forward. A big thank you to Glen Morosohk (who snuck away from his board meeting to join us), Tyger Paul from Dugan’s Paint, and Scott Herling and Eddie Pocoski from Ring’s End who lent their expertise on professional development and engaging high-performing team members. Succession planning is a big topic around our table; not only how we see ourselves as future business leaders, but how we can eventually serve to support the group. As a committee, we asked ourselves how we might be able to address those challenges. Looking down on the issue from 40,000 feet, it’s plain to see that failing to make transition and succession plans will take a toll on the overall health of ALLPRO. The NextGen Committee is exploring the barriers to a successful transition and identifying resources and tools to help all members moving forward. Looking Beyond Allpro U for Development Opportunities
We are excited by the prospect of getting to plan and execute ALLPRO U in 2021. One interesting concept that emerged during our meeting was how to leverage technology to expand valuable training and development opportunities all year around. ALLPRO U is limited by the number of participants, and for some, travel costs and scheduling are barriers to attending the
event. That’s all the more reason we hope to explore using digital platforms to create training opportunities throughout the year. Besides widening our net to reach more people and make new connections, it is very apparent that technology-based training is becoming the new normal. Little did we realize that we were onto something big. And then the coronavirus pandemic hit. Stronger Together
It was as if Michael had a crystal ball when he and the ALLPRO board decided to go all-in on building a NextGen network. Of course, no one could’ve predicted that immediately following the Spring Show in San Antonio, we would find ourselves in the most challenging roles of our careers, if not our lives. The ability to connect with each other helped us to navigate those first chaotic weeks in uncharted territory. Knowing we could reach out to colleagues, check in with one another and share our experiences in the trenches was both comforting and incredibly inspiring. I know the COVID-19 response we deployed at Barrydowne Paint would’ve been less effective if not for the valuable information and tips gleaned from fellow ALLPRO members. I’m forever grateful. I speak for the entire NextGen Committee when I say this pandemic has truly demonstrated the power of a united ALLPRO member network. Once we crawl out of our respective foxholes, hopefully someday soon, it’ll be with the knowledge that we came through this stronger together.
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 21
INDEPENDENT | CHARITY 5k
The finish Line
2020 | 5
k
congratulations to all our finishers and a huge high five to our top six runners. Men
✦Todd Halbig
✦LeaAnn Richard
✦ Mitchel Duttinger supplier partner Saint-Gobain/ADFORS ✦ Gino Fillion member DFM
✦ Liz Smith member Regal Paint Centers, Silver Spring, MD ✦ Ashley Fleming supplier partner SamaN
Member Purcell’s
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Women
member Richard’s Paint
ALLPRO Members Run For a Cause n the Friday afternoon of our Spring Show in San Antonio, our ALLPRO members and vendors gathered together for a good cause and completed a 5k fun run/walk, resulting in $5,370.00 in funds raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The sun was shining down on our 180 walkers and runners as they traversed the Texas landscape back in March during our 5k. Many runners hadn’t anticipated the hilly terrain, but they were a welcomed challenge for most who had trained hard to get into fighting shape. At the end of the run our participants enjoyed some well-deserved, icy-cold beers, grub from the grill, and some tunes set to celebrate their accomplishments. We were proud to be able to make a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that has been dedicated to helping kids fight cancer and pediatric disease since 1962. We thank all who participated in our run/ walk, and we wanted to remind you that each stride you made was a stride made toward finding cures and treatments for children in need. We’re very much looking forward to the next opportunity for us to gather and make a positive impact in our community once again.
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 23
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INDEPENDENT | COOKOUT HIGHLIGHTS
KNIBBE RANCH There’s no way to celebrate in Southern Style quite like a Texas Cookout. Friends old and new gathered to enjoy fresh food, good conversation, and plenty of laughs.
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fter three days of reconnecting with friends and closing numerous business transactions, the ALLPRO Spring Show in San Antonio Texas closed in epic Texas fashion—those in attendance will not soon forget the savory tastes, big laughs, and stunning venue. The group departed the JW Marriott via charter bus and headed to the fifth-generation-operated Knibbe Cattle Ranch in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Immersed in the rustic ranch-style grounds and surrounded by sweeping scenery, the ALLPRO team broke bread. The Knibbe Family and their ranch are no strangers to Southern hospitality, with a grill that can fit up to 98 steaks on it at a time! “You can put half a cow on it if you want!” Knibbe shared. Their team pulled out all the stops to ensure our ALLPRO family enjoyed our evening. Members, vendors, and guests participated in some (mechanical) bull riding, enjoyed a phenomenal cook out, revelled in a performance of their country music favorites, and watched (while some joined in) an incredibly memorable rock-out contest. While some lined up to be introduced to a trio of very friendly Texas Longhorns, others showcased their Texas two-stepping on the dance floor. The evening was capped off with a spectacular fireworks display and some delicious s’mores. The tastes, sounds, and scenes created the perfect ambiance for everyone to relax and enjoy one another’s company.
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 27
INDEPENDENT | SOCIALLY DISTANCED
social distancing: Making the Most of Your Time at Home
ately, most of us have been getting very intimate with our homes. Suddenly, all the lines between work, school, and play are blurred and whatever normal activities we can keep up with are being done from the confines of our own walls. Beyond just bringing on the usual symptoms of cabin fever, this also brings about a sort of mandatory refuge from the day-to-day hustle we’ve grown accustomed to. It’s an opportunity for us to re-align ourselves with our curiosity, reignite our creativity. We all have mounting lists of projects we’d like to complete, friends we should call, and books we’d like to read, and
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suddenly, not having the time is no longer a valid excuse. Of course, in no way does this mean that you should come out of this pandemic with a completed novel, a newly renovated basement, or a newly acquired language. In fact, it’s perfectly fine to just do nothing during this time, use it as a muchneeded opportunity to slow down, breathe through the uncertainty, and just focus on taking care of yourself. However you choose to use your time, it’s exactly that—your time. In case you’re in need of a little inspiration or drawing a blank when it comes to how to fill the time, here are a few ideas:
M a r i e Ko n d o U n t i l y o u c a n ’t n o m o ’ Psychologists report that a clean and organized environment leads to clearer cognitive functioning. It’s even been correlated with better health outcomes. If there’s one way you can trick your brain into thinking “everything is fine” it’s by taking a day to clean out your drawers and cabinets, sort through your closets, and get rid of anything that no longer “sparks joy” as the master of organization herself would put it.
D a y d r e a m a b o u t/ p l a n y o u r n e x t v a c a t i o n (pro tip: Hold off on booking it) Travel feels like just about the last thing anyone is thinking about these days, but it could do wonders to lift your spirits. Once the borders open back up again, you’ll know exactly where you’re headed first. Have fun with it and look up local restaurants, plan a few excursions, and search for your dream hotel.
Give your front door a facelift Spring is the perfect time for a curbside makeover, and with everyone heading out for their daily afternoon walk, passersby won’t be able to help but notice. Choose a fun, bold shade of paint to coat your front door in and order a few accessories to complete the look.
H a v e a n a t- h o m e s p a d a y Pull out all those sample beauty and hair masks you’ve been hoarding in your bathroom, ask Alexa to play her best relaxing playlist, and pop some bubbly! Put on your robe and cut cucumber slices for the full experience! If solo-pampering isn’t your thing, get some friends in on the fun via Zoom.
b e c o m e a d i y- e r Pinterest is loaded with fun crafts and projects that you can do from the comfort of your home. As a paint retailer, you also have the bonus of having most of the products you need on hand. Build a blanket ladder, create an accent wall in your spare bedroom, or build a new headboard! The options are endless.
Build a New Skill With so many summits and workshops no longer able to be conducted in person, a lot of organizations are offering online workshops, often free of charge. Sign up for a webinar or online course. Feeling productive should ease some of the anxiety of economic uncertainty since you’ll know you’re developing skills that will help you in the long term.
Test Out Your Green Thumb With the weather warming up and days suddenly wide open, it’s the perfect time to start growing your own herbs or veggies, or both! You can order most seeds and bulbs online or see if you can do curbside pick-up at your local hardware store or nursery. Plus, come a few months, you’ll be able to cut down on your grocery store outings.
May/June 2020 | ALLPRO INDEPENDENT | 29
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INDEPENDENT | KEEPING CONNECTED
holding community close Staying Connected During the COVID-19 Pandemic
If there’s one bright spot to be taken from this pandemic, it’s the sense of global unity that’s been created in its wake. From balcony parties to memes, people everywhere are recognizing just how vital a role community plays in our lives, and they’re getting pretty creative in their ways of facilitating it. Most of us have long since abandoned the standard “business as usual” corporate line as we accepted
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the gravity of the situation, but that doesn’t mean you have to let go of the community you’ve created around your brand. In fact, now, more than ever, it’s crucial to continue fostering these relationships. Maintaining contact and presence in the online world will help your employees, customers, and contractors ease back into normal rhythms once we’ve all emerged from our homes again. Here are a few tips on how to make it happen:
B e r e s po n s i v e
With this pandemic, things are moving at a rapid rate. New legislations are being drafted every day and the CDC and World Health Organization are offering new recommendations. Because of how quickly the situation is evolving, it’s crucial that you keep your customers updated about how these changes are affecting your business. For key updates, it’s a good idea to use more than one channel (social media, email, website, signage).
Ask questions
If you’re feeling uncertain about what to post on social media or how to advertise your brand during this time, you’re not alone. The best thing to do is ask your audience! Use Instagram’s “Poll” feature in stories to get some feedback about what sort of content they’d like to see during this time.
O f f e r V i r t u a l S e rv i c e s
If you do color or design consultations, talk to your clients about switching to an online platform for a video call instead of canceling. If the format works for you and your clients, get the word out there through your digital channels and let your audience know they can start planning their next reno!
Get Personal
Add a personal touch to loyal customers ordering via curbside pick-up or delivery with a little personalized note thanking them for supporting small businesses. This small detail lets your customers know there is a very real (and happy) person that is benefiting from their purchase.
Focus on Content
Since a lot of businesses are relying on e-commerce sales right now and people are spending unhealthy amounts of time on the internet, there’s never been a better time to develop some longerform content for a blog-type channel. Get some tips and tricks out there for your customers/clients working on at-home DIY projects, or, dish on some of your favorite projects from years past.
Create Tutorials
Another uniting theme in our shared experiences lately is boredom: we’re all desperate for ways to pass the time. Help fill the void with step-by-step home crafts or DIY projects. Share favorite recipes, kids activities, or anything else you’ve found useful in turning the clock. The more personal, the more it’ll help humanize your brand.
Give Back
People are banding together to help their communities through these difficult times. If there’s any way you can provide resources to frontline workers or support to families working from home (even a downloadable coloring book for kids stuck at home could mean the world to a parent in need of a break), do it! And share what you’re doing to help with your social media audience. It’s not bragging, it’s encouraging others to do the same!
Lo o k i n g f o r t a n g i b l e w a y s t o c o n n e c t w i t h c u s t o m e r s d u r i n g C OV I D- 1 9 ? T r y t h e s e i d e a s , c o u r t e s y o f c l e v e r A L L P R O m e m b e r s . Encourage Engagement
W i n d ow S h o p p i n g
Connect with clients and keep your company top of mind by using your online platforms to post trivia about your products, store, community, and even salespeople. Some of our members are jumping on the digital bandwagon and sharing virtual in-home consultations and posting tours of their store and products on social media. Photos and videos allow customers to see available in-store products.
To adhere to appropriate social distancing measures, tape color brochures, popular color chips, and sheen brochures face-out in your store windows to allow customers to make decisions at a distance. Set fan decks and other color materials outdoors for people to peruse, or leave stacks of take-home color cards, brochures, and At Home magazines outside for the public.
S p r e a d P a w s- i t i v i t y
You’ve Got Mail
If your store is closed to the public, bring your pet to work and post the pictures! Animal lovers and customers will enjoy seeing your animal in the window or online.
Install a mailbox outside to facilitate easy pickups and protection from the weather.
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FINAL COAT | MEMBER MILESTONE
MILLER PAINT COMPANY CELEBRATES 130 YEARS IN BUSINESS iller Pain Company founder, Ernest Miller, arrived in Portland, Oregon, from Germany in 1885 and found himself unsatisfied with the quality of paints available. A muralist and artist with a side-hustle painting houses, Miller’s main concern was that the paints available couldn’t withstand the weather in the Pacific Northwest. In 1890, Miller took matters into his own hands and purchased a stone mill where he developed his own products, grinding his own pigments and eventually manufacturing his own paints. Customers at the time raved about their durability and color retention, and contractors reached out hoping to utilize his name as a selling point for their own business, marking the genesis of Miller Paint Co. In 1905, Miller opened the doors to his first brick-and-mortar store and a horse-
drawn carriage delivered paints to people around the city. Miller went on to have three sons (Ernest Jr., Herb, and Walt), who each contributed to the family business in their own right. Walt, the youngest of the three (and the one tasked with running the family business when the two eldest went to fight in World War I) served as company manager until his death at the age of 90. Miller Paint continued to thrive throughout two plant relocations and added three stores in the 1970s. The 1980s and 90s saw the addition of seven more locations. In 2000, after Walt’s death, Steve Dearborn took over as CEO and provided the store with a strategic vision that enabled them to acquire 43 more Miller Paint Stores, bringing their total to 56 stores in 2019, with over 300 employees on the payroll. The company credits their success to their status as independent and employee-
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owned. Walt lay the foundation for employee-ownership in 1980 by initiating a stock bonus plan to spread ownership across the company. They adopted a formal ESOP program in 1999, and then bought out the last large portion of individually owned stock in 2001, marking the start of a new era. Today, CEO Steve Dearborn celebrates Miller Paints for its “collaborative spirit… built on a teamwork of trust and a culture that rewards excellence, integrity, and innovation in all aspects of business,” thanking customers for years of trust and employees for their dedication to exceptional customer service. In turn, the ALLPRO family would like to thank Miller Paints for their membership, their contributions to our community, and for making us proud! Here’s to 130 years and many more!
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THANK YOU
Thank you to all of our members for your continued support of our Distribution Centers! These facilities allow us to stock large quantities of products from our supplier partners and provide for members who don’t require full-pallet orders. Our new app allows members to scan items & order directly through our Distribution Centers. Try it out for yourself!
