Callen Construction 30th Anniversary

GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES
AND OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
The Callens moved the business to their present Muskego location
in 1988, first renting 800 square feet. In 1994, they incorporated a
showroom and expanded to half the building. By 1996, they owned
and occupied all 5,400 square feet of space and established
an interiors division – the Callen Design Group – for kitchens,
bathrooms, and basement and attic conversions.
Also in 1996, Tom and Phil joined Remodeler’s Advantage, a
national support organization for remodeling business owners.
That association helped them with some of the challenges they
faced with the business.
“We learned we needed a project manager in the interiors division
to expedite/manage the projects, so the designers could focus on
sales and design. That project management spread to the exterior
division,” Tom explained. “We also learned that we needed to have
separate and distinct sales forces for the interior and exterior
divisions.
“Remodeler’s Advantage educated us on making the business
more efficient. Between 1996 and 2007 we grew more profitable,
and re-evaluated owner compensation. We learned it was
important to take time off from the business to recharge.”
“The challenges we faced were finding quality people, learning
from our mistakes, and underestimating the time and labor on job
sites. We had to learn how to be profitable and how to manage
others,” Phil said. “But we learned and we always stuck to our goal
of delivering quality work and establishing trust between us and
our customers, and also helping our employees succeed. That’s
what helped our business grow.”
On April 29, 2006, 20 years after incorporation, Callen opened a newly built 2,800 square foot addition to its Muskego showroom
featuring an expanded line of interior and exterior home improvement building products, including kitchen and bath vignettes, full-sized
window, siding, and roofing displays, conference room and reception area.
1990 1991 1992 1993
Callen builds first addition in
New Berlin.
Average cost of a home: $122,900.
Price of milk: $2.00.
Record of the Year: “Wind Beneath My
Wings” by Bette Midler.
Home Alone released.
Introduction of the “Callen Connection”,
a company newsletter.
“Home Improvement” first aired.
Internet is made available to unrestricted
commercial use.
Hubble Telescope launched.
“Seinfeld” debuts.
Price of gas: $1.13.
Pat Listach is named American League
Rookie of the Year, becoming first Brewer
to ever win the award.
Johnny Carson hosts “The Tonight Show”
for the last time.
Harley Davidson Motorcycles celebrates
90 years.
Ty Warner USA launches the first Beanie Babies.
Cost of Super Bowl ad: $850,000.
Milwaukee Bucks retire #33 celebrating
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.