Excerpts from the Business Inc. article
shown are given below:
"....It is not at all the dull environment that I have stereotyped office surroundings to be. Instead, I am fascinated by what is reminiscent of opening the back of a wrist watch for the first time. Considering the small space where so much is happening at once, there is a smooth efficiency of movement, yet without creating an impersonal atmosphere. Contrary to that and also in contrast to my programmed picture of a business setting is all the natural wood, the warmth of wainscotting, and windows through inside and outside walls as well as the slant of ceilings. Surely I am not the only one having felt punished by years of fluorescent lighting, that would envy the soft incandescent ceiling fixtures.
Design blueprints are whisked away and we are a bit like a wrench thrown into the machinery, as two men leave and Jeff introduces himself with handshakes.
He pauses for an instant, already it is hard to imagine much of a lull occurring, "I don't want to get off course here, it's hard, sometimes I move too fast." Seeing a man who runs to keep up with his ideas and catches himself to bring them down in time, it seems a fitting opening and accurate self-perception.
The business was started in Michigan where both Debbie, his wife, and he attended universities. He received a degree in teaching and graphic design, also playing football during college as offensive lineman for Central Michigan. Jeff smiles, commenting, "That may have been where some of my thoughts on competition have come from....""
"....Their main emphasis is on quality of details. Even the subject of this particularly seems to increase Jeff's articulation of his speech, punctuating with gestures. "Details make the difference," is the motto along with their logo, engraved in the pewter key chain we are given. "People have categorized us and our homes in that character," then going on to explain, "If we feel it should be done in a certain manner that is the best, it isn't an option, there are no short-cuts. Nothing is left to chance or subject to opinion in communication involved. Time allocated for processing thoughts of clients is made to be as thorough and professional as possible yet with a fun social atmosphere. Tracking thoughts with sometimes as much as 300 pages of minutes from meetings with clients. The client states what they want and we make the details and flow patterns work." Jeff himself does all the initial collaboration of notes."
"....Despite Jeff's precise verbal ability he elaborates with his hands, pinching imaginary points in the air, as if he will not miss any method of expressing or clarifying an idea. Leaning forward and underlining the first word with his hand, "Opportunity is a very big word to me. I like to make steps to insure people do not miss any opportunity." In this way of handling clients, discussions are pointed at the numerous ways of achieving an end result. For example he offers, "I will even have included in a contract at least seven or eight different things are are later discussed in a more relaxed environment. We'll spend as much as 3 hours detailing tile." Channeling the needs and wants of the individual clients into detailed ideas is the goal and expanding possibilities helps this interpretation. "This is what I strive for and hold in high regard," he concludes.
"....If the more you do, the more you feel you can do is the truth, they (Jeff & Debbie) both can make a good argument for that. Their team effort a major contribution to it all."
By: Jana Rupnow, Feature Writer/Photographer
BusinessInc. Magazine