JUNE – MILESTONE CLIENT

Published On: June 7, 2012|Categories: Blog, Milestone|

VirtualOffiCenters’ Milestone Client for June is Union Plaza full-time office client, Kurt Rose from Rose-Fleischaker Associates. In 1993, when Rose-Fleischaker began their search for a place for their business they knew they needed more than an office. They choose Union Plaza OffiCenter because the location was ideal for the needs of their business.  And, 19 years later, OffiCenters still works for Kurt and his company. Now that’s a milestone!

1)   Who are you and what do you do? Kurt Rose & Pat Fleischaker, Rose-Fleischaker Associates Inc

2)   Which OffiCenters location does your business call ‘home-base’? Union Plaza OffiCenter

3)   How long have you been an OffiCenters client? Since 1993

4)   What is your ‘elevator speech’? We work with architects, engineers, and interior designers to develop specifications for the products manufactured by the companies we represent. We focus almost entirely on commercial construction. The majority of our products are related to roofing, architectural sheet metal, and acoustical applications. We cover a three state area (MN, ND, and SD).

5)   Where did you get the idea for your business? I worked for several large national building product manufacturers, when I had the opportunity to start my own business. We are paid strictly on a commission basis. The idea of working for myself and being paid for what I actually sold was attractive!

6)   What makes your business unique? The idea of manufacturers reps is not unique, many of the commercial building products in our area are marketed this way. However, I started our firm in 1993 with Pat Fleischaker (my son-in-law). Three years ago Adam Wirth (Pat’s son-in-law) joined our company and about a year ago Hannah Fleischaker (Pat’s daughter and my granddaughter) joined the firm. We now have three generations active in the business.

7)   What are the keys to your success? I believe one of the keys to our success is longevity. I have been working with the specifiers in this three state area since 1971, my partner Pat since 1985. Over the years, we have gained the trust and respect of the architectural community. We have also created a strong relationship and bond with the distributors who sell our products and the contractors who install. We really feel we are a part of a team. When problems arise, we work together to solve them and as a team we close the sale.

8)   How has officing with OffiCenters changed your business? This question is related to number 7, Pat and I feel OffiCenters has been an integral part of our success. So much of our daily routine is time sensitive. OffiCenter not only gets the job done but almost always gets it done right the first time. If technical or computer problems arise, quite often their staff has the solution; if they don’t, they use their networking capabilities to find someone quickly who has. Part of the reason we have been successful is we respond to our clients requests immediately; OffiCenters’ people do likewise to our requests. If we REALLY need something in a hurry, they make every effort to “GET’R’DONE”. Although we do not bring clients to our office regularly, they are always impressed by the surroundings and the professional atmosphere that OffiCenters has created.

9)   What would you like people to know about you? I have been in technical sales since 1967, the construction industry since 1969. I really enjoy what I am doing. I’ve felt the industry we are in gives us a unique window to see how our region is changing. We are actively involved in most all the commercial construction in a three state area. Growth and vitality in a region can truly be reflected in the structures we build.

10)   Do you use social media to attract clients? If so, which services do you use? I do not, but the younger people in our firm use Facebook and other social media. I know the architectural industry is evolving and it will continue to expand its’ use of these tools.

11)   What is one of your favorite quotes? “You can’t grow a crop if you don’t agitate the soil.”  You’ve got to get in there and mix it up, get involved, ask questions, offer solutions, present alternatives, and help your customers solve problems.

12)   Who has been an inspiration in your life, and how? Bob Geils – VP of Stresen-Reuter Inc in Bensenville, Illinois -1963. I went to work for them in 1960 right out of high school. I was working in a factory which manufactured alkyd resins for paint and metallic driers for printing ink. I was given an opportunity to move from production into the quality control lab and after two years Mr. Geils asked me if this what I wanted to do the rest of my life. He asked if I had thought about college. I said I didn’t have the money to go and he told me not to worry about that. He encouraged me to apply and I was accepted at Northern Illinois University. Stresen-Reuter paid for my first two years and I worked for them while not in school during the summer, etc. I graduated in 1967 from Elmhurst College (I was married in my sophomore year) and after graduation went to work for Stresen-Reuter in technical sales. My life had changed completely. I often wonder what path I may have gone down or where I would be today if Mr. Geils had not seen something in me, taken an interest, and provided the help needed to try something else.

13)   When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you use it? I really don’t know how to answer that one. I have lots of interests, thirty minutes ?   I’d probably catch up on reading the news or pick up a book I started.

14)   If you could be any fictional character, whom would you choose and why? Is this is some type of a psychological test? Maybe Santa Claus- he brings a lot of joy into the lives of young children. When I’ve truly made someone else happy – well there is no greater joy.

15)   If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I’ve always felt being human is the best option by far. If I were an animal, it would have to be wild. Free to roam and live its’ life as it wanted, maybe a Grizzly Bear.

16)   What is your favorite restaurant in Minnesota? Monte Carlo

17)   What is your favorite place to visit in Minnesota? The North Shore

18)   What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life? I have a very eclectic taste, you could include most anything from the 50’s thru today. Never was into heavy metal. I’ve always been more into the “alternative sounds” as opposed to main stream TOP FORTY stuff.

19)   If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve ever seen before, what would you paint and why? My wife and I went to Alaska three years ago, the beauty was almost beyond description. If I had the talent I’d try to recapture a little of what I saw on canvas. I took a lot of photos, I look at them often and they cannot do justice to the real thing.

20)   What is your favorite part of being with OffiCenters? It has become an extension of our business. The people we work with at Union Plaza are a pleasure to see every day, work with, and get to know on a more personal level. There is always someone or something new at OffiCenters and if you pay attention you may even meet someone or learn something new.