Today we’d like to introduce you to Jere Luck.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2003, I left a very successful career in telecommunications and decided it was time for a change. I needed something more creative. God opened the door to commercial furniture sales, and I walked through it. I never dreamed I would begin to recognize that opportunity as a ministry, and a calling. But that’s what happened.
After two years of some of the hardest work I have ever experienced, I realized that the learning curve for commercial furniture is long and steep. And that’s when it occurred to me, that the end user, the client buying the furniture, had no idea how to achieve the end product that they wanted. There was just too much to learn, and too many questions that needed asking and answered. And the client wouldn’t know what questions to ask, to get the look they wanted when the furniture was installed.
So instead of worrying about “how much money I was going to make”, I began to concentrate on the questions, the budget, and how to get the right furniture installed for the end user. I’m sure any number of my clients will tell you that I have bugged them to death asking questions. But the real success in each project is asking those detailed questions on the front end, so we end up with the right furniture on the back end.
I worked with another dealership for five years before going out on my own and opening my own dealership. I have now been in business with my own place, for 11 years. My philosophy and daily motto is “Do the Right Thing”. It makes for a much more fulfilling career and happier clients when you practice that. Not only that, I believe God honors you when you live to serve others and help them achieve their goals. It may seem silly that furniture could be a ministry, but I knew that was mine. It gives me a reason to get up and get in the office every day and see what that day holds, and who I’m going to help.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth road??? Hardly. As I mentioned, the learning curve was wildly steep and incredibly long. Who woulda thought??? I mean, it’s a desk and chair, right? HA!
Every day for two years, I would literally say to myself, “Oh, don’t forget to ask that next time”. And once you’ve been burned a time or two for not knowing to ask “that”, you remember to starting asking. I would sit with a client, and say, “hang on, before I leave, let me think if there’s anything else I need to ask you….” And nearly every single time, I would get back to the office, and think, “ah. Forgot to ask them this…” Grrrrr.
As for any other obstacles, I would say the only other one that really presented a big problem, is when the economy tanked. People tend to continue to use old, worn out furniture for a lot longer than they should when there just isn’t any extra money around. But now that the economy is booming, everyone is in a much better place, and buying new furniture and replacing the stuff that is worn out.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Luck Company – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a boutique commercial furniture dealership, I specialize in meeting the needs of my clients by finding solutions that are in the budget. It’s really more about them and their needs than it is about “how much can I sell them?”
I focus on everything from soup to nuts. The client deals with me from the start, all the way through the installation and invoicing. That way things don’t get lost in translation. When the client tells me something, I deal with it and maintain responsibility for that, all the way through. Too often, the salesperson makes the sale, then hands it off to a project manager later in the process, and the salesperson fails to fill them in on every detail. As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of details. And trying to pass that along from person to person, is like playing the game of Secret. When you get to the end of the passing, the last message sounds nothing like the message that started. I avoid all of that, by being the person that starts and finishes each project.
As to what I’m most proud of as an entrepreneur; I would say it’s that my business has virtually been built on repeat business from my clients, and by referrals from my clients. Again, when you do the right thing, people appreciate it. When you are looking out for what THEIR needs are, and not your own, people recognize that and know you have their backs. My clients can recommend me to others knowing I’m going to take care of the referral, just as I take care of them.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future are too simple – continue doing the right thing. Taking care of my clients and their furniture needs. Working to always offer the best solution of their challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theluckcompany.com
- Phone: 713-527-0708
- Email: info@theluckcompany.com
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