Kitchen & Bath Business November/December 2022 - 80

L A S T W ORD
nor was it ever in my vocabulary. Using my life's
savings and a line of credit on my home, I decided
to invest further and went on an advertising blitz.
I also got more heavily involved in our community
- fi rst with our chamber of commerce and
then with many non-profi t organizations.
Between all the advertising and networking
and everyone seeing this huge showroom being
built in the middle of a recession, things started
to click. More than 300 people attended our
grand opening in 2009, and we raised almost
$30,000 for local charities. Over the past 13
years, we have hosted 200+ events in our showroom
and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars
for worthy causes.
Today, we are known as the company that pays
it forward. We host our biggest fundraiser every
October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Our entire building turns pink, inside and out.
FAMILY AFFAIRS
A designer, his brothers and their parents prove the value
of partnership in running a business
FOUNDER OF FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.-based Allied Kitchen & Bath,
Bill Feinberg has faced adversity and achieved success by maintaining his
core beliefs in the strength of community. Going on 40 years in business,
he shares his insights and experiences.
How does your background infl uence the way you approach the design business?
I'd say my experience came mostly from the school of hard knocks. When
I moved to South Florida in 1979, I worked for a remodeling company,
selling its services door-to-door. I loved sales and was pretty good at it. It's
that experience that got me into the design business.
I'd say it was my relationships that helped me start Allied Kitchen &
Bath in 1984. About 10 associates from the company we were all working
for came with me, and some are still with me to this day, including my three
brothers. Even our parents worked for us for about 20 years until my dad
passed away.
To be honest, it's the relationships with my brothers that is our success
formula. Th e four of us have been working together now for almost 39 years.
And although I am the president of the company, we each play an important
part and together have built a successful business.
What has been your biggest business challenge - and how did you resolve it?
We had just knocked down our old offi ces and showroom to construct a
new, larger building. Here we were with no real showroom, working out of a
rented trailer on site, and boom - the 2008 recession hit. We had many people
and families depending on us, and with the new showroom underway
and a huge mortgage to pay, we had to survive. Failure was not an option,
80
/ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2022
TOP This welcoming kitchen
refl ects the family-oriented
ethos of Allied Kitchen & Bath.
ABOVE Designer Bill Feinberg
values strong relationships
built on trust and respect.
Photos: Dream Focus
Photography
What is the most important career lesson you've
learned?
One, we continue to learn every day. Th at's important
to realize because there is always room
for improvements and always a way to do things
better. Second, your word is more important than
your written contract. Always keep your word,
and give clients more than expected, even if it
costs you more. Finally, charge enough for your
work so you are able to withstand those hits you
didn't expect. Not every job is going to be a home
run, but every job aff ects your reputation, so do
whatever is necessary to satisfy every client possible,
and make sure you fi nish on good terms.
Previous clients and referrals are the backbone of
our business, and we so value those and depend
on them for future business.
What advice would you give to someone thinking
about getting into the design business?
Strive to create relationships that will last a lifetime.
Network; join your industry association; get
involved with your local chamber of commerce, a
charity or community organization; attend as many
events as possible; and build your relationships. Our
clients become our friends, and if we create enough
relationships, we will always stay busy.
What activities do you enjoy when you're not in the
studio?
I'm always somehow working or thinking about
working. Work has always allowed me to do what I
want, and my favorite thing to do - especially these
days - is travel. And if I'm connected, I can still work
(even if just a little) while I'm traveling.
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Kitchen & Bath Business November/December 2022

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