Meet Matthew Kuehlhorn | Entreprenuer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Kuehlhorn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe it’s our promise — “We got you”

This exudes from me when I first began cutting deals and taking on projects. I knew I was going to see them through – and in the rare occasion things went sideways, I always strived to make it right no matter the cost.

This now extends through my team — as I got them and they got me. We get the customers collectively.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Kooler Garage Doors is a home service provider for garage door repair, openers, and new door replacements. It began by mistake.

In 2015 I had recently left a comfortable salraied position leading a community coalition for our County. And I left without having all my ducks in a row. As my meager savings dwindled I was in a tight spot with babies and my wife at home. My friend asked me to paint for a spec house he was building and he was genuinely helping me out. I started rolling walls at $20 an hour.

During this time I heard from an old landlord that she wanted to get her house painted but no one would call her back. And I saw that as an opportunity.

Without ever having painted a house before I did some research and cut a deal — without a dime. I ask for a $2,000 deposit and with that monies I bought a pump srayer, formed my LLC, bought a $5 logo and a few t-shirts. I then hired a sub contractor for a day at $25/hr, put him in my shirt, and watched him while he worked my new spray pump so I could learn how to use it.

The next day I was spraying the house, hiring staff, and looking for the next job.

We grew revenue quickly and I’m still learning how to maintain profitabilty. With a little traction in painting homes I went after garage doors as I had been an installer previously and enjoyed it quite a bit. The two grew together for awhile until they got unruly and I learned that I needed to focus.

In 2021 we closed our painting division down completely and fully rebranded to Kooler Garage Doors.

And currently we run three service trucks with certified professionals and are expanding into new markets.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If we’re in Grand Junction I love the downtown restaurants, the river, and the trails. I love being in the desert and out with the views and the river cannot be beat.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This answer really needs a book — however, there are two primary ones. Keith Cunningham is a business mentor who I’ve been learning from and following for years. He and I met in 2011 during a time of challenge that was difficult for me. And in our interactions he helped to stir maturity in me. I began playing a different level of game since then and have worked with him in his educational sessions multiple times to learn from a seasoned and true business master. The second is my wife Annie who has always held high expectations for me while loving and supporting me where I was at, then and now. She is my rock and an absolutely beautiful component of my days. The life she and I are building together is amazing and I would not do what I do without her.

Website: www.koolergaragedoors.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/koolergaragedoors

Facebook: www.facebook.com/koolergaragedoors

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@koolergaragedoors