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Veteran’s Leadership and Wife’s Executive Skills Produce Successful Glass Business

Success Story: Colorado

Petersen Custom GlassAfter 15 years in the glass industry, Kris and Valerie Petersen opened Petersen Custom Glass, LLC in 2014. Kris has extensive experience designing and installing custom glass products. His specific areas of expertise include high-end frameless shower enclosures, ADA accessible showers and other custom glass projects. With his leadership skills gained from the military and her executive skills, Petersen Custom Glass has become a successful local business in Parker, CO, serving a 25-mile radius in the metro area.

“We feel that starting up slowly and receving help from the SBDC along the way, we established a solid foundation from which to grow financially in the coming years.”

In October, 2015, Petersen Glass moved out of the 1100 sq-ft garage into a brick and mortar retail space. Business expanded quickly as capacity grew to include showroom and workshop space.

All three of the consultants in the Aurora-South Metro SBDC Lone Tree office assisted the Petersens with financing questions and concerns, advertising direction and a solid marketing strategy. With the consultants’ guidance and discussing the financial pros and cons of ‘taking the leap’, “we have been able to ‘crack the nut’ with an online presence and a new physical location.” 

The Executive Director of the Aurora-South Metro SBDC explains, “The Petersens took full advantage of the resources offered by the SBDC. They were diligent in their follow-up after consulting sessions and were able to implement changes and grow their business substantially, while staying true to quality craftsmanship.”

petersencustomglass-quoteThe Petersens are 100% owners in the LLC. Originally investing $10,000 of personal assets in 2013, the Petersens invested $30,000 from 2014 business proceeds in order to expand. Their business saw an 87% financial gain in the first year – and doubled again in 2015 to over $100,000. Additionally, Assets and Net Worth doubled in the first year and then doubled again in 2015. In other words, the Petersens took the business from zero to 93% growth in just over two years! And, they were able to do all this without going into debt. As Val Petersen said it so succinctly, “We’ve been blessed to have a thriving business with no loans to pay back.”

Since glass breaks on occasion, the Petersens found their niche. They remain versatile, accommodating low-end to high-end customers, as well as ADA, restoration and remodeling companies. Their goal in 2016 is to add one employee to help Kris and Val as they continue to provide service to homeowners, home builders and remodeling contractors.

Their website, petersenglass.com, beautifully displays Kris’ custom glass installations, showing the superior quality and elegant results of his handiwork for both commercial and residential services. Petersen Custom Glass is a veteran-owned and operated company, offering a 10% discount on materials to veteran customers.

To contact Kris or Val Petersen at Petersen Custom Glass, please visit their website at www.petersenglass.com or call the showroom at (720) 810-1160.

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The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network (CSBDC) is dedicated to helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper in Colorado by providing free and confidential consulting and no- or low-cost training programs.

The CSBDC has 14 full-time centers and over 60 satellite offices with a team of business experts ready to help you create and retain jobs, secure loans, increase sales, win government contracts, obtain certifications and more. Read more Colorado SBDC success stories here!

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