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It�s Been A Colorful 20 Years In Business True Colors Hom
It’s Been A Colorful 20 Years In Business
True Colors Home Decorating Just Keeps On Growing & Growing
No great thing is created suddenly, but patience, hard work and above all honesty are the sure mix for success, believes Bill McQuiggan, owner and creator of True Colors Home Decorating in Montpelier for the last 20 years.
“I learned business basic the old fashioned ways from my father who had three small convenience stores in Quincy, Mass,” relates McQuiggan. “I got a chance to work in his stores and see how things were done.”
In 1989, after working five years at Rubel Home Decorating, a very successful locally-owned, family run paint and wallpaper business in Barre, McQuiggan, with business plan in hand that he spent a year working with the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, started True Colors—first at 114 River Street behind House of Tang restaurant and then in 1992 at its present location almost across the street at 141 River Street in the capital city.
“We met Doug Kwasnik, the owner of this property by a fluke circumstance, and he convinced me that we needed the visibility and parking that his property offered. He literally rearranged his plumbing supply business to accommodate our move,” explains McQuiggan, adding “Doug would later (in failing health) make it possible for me to buy this building from him. He was a good friend and mentor.”
However, there were three other important milestones that were reached before that big move in 1992, recalls McQuiggan, a man with never-ending determination and positive attitude.
In January 1991 True Colors became the first retail store in the United States to implement a latex paint recycling program, catching the attention of the Associated Press and bringing inquiries from across the country.
Also that year Kathy Leith became the bookkeeper and continues to this day.
And Benjamin Moore became the best paint line for True Colors, notes McQuiggan, “Especially for their color reproduction, product quality and customer recognition.”
As the business grew quickly at the new location, another big milestone came in 1996 when Kath Natzke come to True Colors, or, as McQuiggan says “Stepped right up to the plate.” Natzke, a recent graduate of the U.S. School of Professional Paper Hangers in Rutland, “possessed the right patient demeanor and organizational skills along with the knowledge of paint application and wallpapering” that she became store manager for True Colors just one year later and continues as such to this day.
“She’s definitely my right hand person,” reiterates McQuiggan.
In 2002 True Colors “joined the 20th Century and implemented the De’cor Point of Sale Software that allowed them to track purchases for their Frequent Painters Program and find colors for customers that were purchased years ago.
“Many customers are pleasantly surprised when they get a free gallon of paint based on accumulated purchases from years ago. Our program is based on purchases of Benjamin Moore paint including their Regal products, Mooregard, Mooreglo, Moorelife and Moorewood exterior stains. Buy four, get the fifth gallon free!” explains McQuiggan proudly.
Offering more and more services is definitely the way to go, believes McQuiggan, pointing to True Colors expanding Blind Crafter Program that began in 2005. “We’ve been selling many double cell blinds since 1989, but now we fabricate Comfortex insulating honeycomb blinds on location.”
“Thor Richardson joined us a year ago and has taken over the blind fabrication and blind repairs as well,” says McQuiggan proudly.
“Going green” is also very big right now and we whole-heartedly welcome it. This past year we acquired the new Benjamin Moore Genex tint platform that allows us to tint Aura, and the new no VOC products like Eco Spec and Natura. We look for Vermont products like the very green Vermont Natural Coatings in Hardwick.”
Also in 2008 True Colors became a Benjamin Moore Signature Store. “And we hope to remodel our store this year to make it even more inviting and easier for our customers,” reports McQuiggan, “We’ll never stop trying.”
How is all of this possible?
Well, notes McQuiggan, his staff is definitely responsible for most of the continued success. Then there are the supplemental staff over the years, including his children and family friends like his “not so silent inlaw partners” Tom and Teresa Donnelly and, of course, the steadfast support of his wife, Maureen McQuiggan.
True Colors is not just paint and energy-saving blinds. Their flooring by Mohawk and Shaw are very exciting and the Marmoleum is totally a green product that is all natural and biodegradeable.
The two crews that work for True Colors offer professional installation of carpet, vinyl flooring, tile, wood, cork and laminates. There is no charge for measuring flooring products and window treatments.
“It’s great to see up to three generations from the same family shopping here. We really couldn’t do it without the support from this community.”
True Colors is open Mon-Fri 7am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm. For more information call 802-223-1616 or visit their website: www.TrueColorsHD.com.
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