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Richard Grove, Wall Control, David Walens, Exploring, Inc., and Christopher Allen, Valet Oil Changes

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Richard Grove, Wall Control and Small Business Consultant, David Walens, Exploring, Inc., and Christopher Allen, Valet Oil Changes (ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 39)

On this episode of ProfitSense, host Bill McDermott welcomed three accomplished business leaders. Richard Grove, Wall Control, discussed his company’s leading position in high quality wall-based organization systems and how Wall Control is navigating the current economic environment. David Walens shared Exploring, Inc.’s integration of virtual reality in what they offer clients and the importance of culture to his company’s success. Finally, Christopher Allen talked about how he started Valet Oil Changes and the bright growth prospects he sees for his business. Bill closed the show with a warning on “red light” words your bank may use that you need to understand.

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Wall Control

The Wall Control story began in 1968 in a small tool & die shop just outside Atlanta, Georgia. The first of three generations began their work in building a family-based US manufacturer with little more than hard work and the American Dream.

Over the past 50+ years, this family business has continued to grow and expand from what was once a small tool & die shop into an award-winning US manufacturer of products ranging from automobile components to satellite panels and now, the best wall-mounted tool storage system available today, Wall Control.

The Wall Control brand launched in 2003 and is a family-owned and operated business that not only produces a high-quality American Made product but sees the entire design, production, and distribution process happen under their own roof in Tucker, Georgia. Under that same roof, three generations of American Manufacturing are still hard at work creating the best tool storage products available today.

Company website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

Richard Grove, COO, Wall Control and Small Business Consultant

Richard Grove’s background is in engineering but what he enjoys most is brand building through relationships and creative marketing. Richard began his career with the Department of Defense as an engineer on the C-5 Galaxy Engineering Team based out of Warner Robins. While Richard found this experience both rewarding and fulfilling, he always knew deep down that he wanted to return to the small family business that originally triggered his interest in engineering.

Richard came to work for the family business, Dekalb Tool & Die, in 2008 as a Mechanical Engineer. At the time Wall Control was little more than a small ‘side hustle’ for Dekalb Tool & Die to try to produce some incremental income. There were no “Wall Control” employees, just a small warehouse with a single tool and die maker that would double as an “order fulfillment associate” on the occasion that the original WallControl.com website, which Richard’s grandmother built, pulled in an order.

In 2008, it became apparent that for the family business to survive they were going to have to produce their own branded product at scale to ensure jobs remained in-house and for the business to continue to move forward. Richard then turned his attention from tool and die to Wall Control to attempt this necessary pivot and his story with Wall Control began. Since that time, Richard has led Wall Control to significant growth while navigating two recessions.

Outside of Richard’s work at Wall Control he enjoys helping other business owners, operators, and entrepreneurs along their own paths to success by offering personal business coaching and advising through his website ConsultantSmallBusiness.com. Richard has developed an expansive and unique skillset growing and scaling Wall Control through a multitude of challenges to the successful brand and company it is today. Richard is happy to share his knowledge and experience with others who are looking to do the same within their own businesses.

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Richard’s Website

Exploring, Inc.

Exploring is the parent company of several unique, trailblazing Atlanta-based companies. Our companies span a range of industries, from the exhibit and event industry to hospitality, commercial, retail, architectural, automotive, museum, and other markets. What each Exploring company has in common, however, is a ceaseless focus on discovering truly innovative solutions and value for clients. In fact, that focus is what we look for when adding new companies to the Exploring family.

Exploring, Inc employs almost 200 employees and operates in 3 locations including a 151,000 square-foot fabrication facility providing a uniquely wide scope of capabilities and supported by a highly experienced, versatile and talented team of metal fabricators, sculptors, artists, carpenters, painters and printers. The rapidly growing company was founded in 1999 and includes ID3 Group, Chisel 3D, Atlantis Waterjet, Brumark, Shelmarc Carpets, and Exploring Graphics. Exploring has been named to the Inc. 500 / 5000, Inc. magazine’s annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America 6 times – in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

David Walens, CEO, Exploring, Inc

Dave Walens is CEO of Exploring, Inc., the parent company of several unique, trailblazing Atlanta-based companies supporting the event, tradeshow, experiential, entertainment and flooring industries.

Dave Walens is also Co-Founder of Exploring Digital, a new creative studio, content creation and technology company. As a new reality company, Exploring Digital develops unique projects in VR, AR, FX, virtual production and the metaverse including it’s latest product launch of Megaverse, an immersive, haptic integrated, free walking, multi person VR experiential Theater with on-Demand VR content.

Dave has over 30 years of experience in developing and growing businesses. His ability to think creatively yet strategically and his unwavering commitment to customer service are a true differentiator. He has extensive experience in exhibit design and construction, event fabrication, graphic production, flooring production and project management. This experience, combined with in-depth industry knowledge and expertise, enables Dave to assist companies in reaching their strategic marketing objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible.

David is also a strong advocate within the industry through membership and involvement with associations and local and national charities such as: Experiential Designers and Producers Association Foundation Chair, Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) Executive Board Member for seven years, EDPA Board Member from 2004 – 2013 • EDPA Ambassador of the Year – 2007, Exhibit 4 Smiles Executive Committee Member, Exhibition Services & Contractors Association Member, Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association (EACA) Member, International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) Member, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau Member • KSU Entrepreneurship Center Executive Advisory Council, KSU Foundation – Trustee and Athletic Board, Cobb Chamber – Board Member, CEO Netweavers – Current President, HBN Foundation – Board member, Fashion Institute of Technology Advisory Board.

Several Exploring, Inc. Projects are: Van Gogh – The Experience Harry Potter the Exhibition Hamilton the Exhibition Great Wolf Lodge – MN, IL, GA Pirates Show – Pigeon Forge (currently in Dollywood and in Branson, MO) Lumberjack Show – Pigeon Forge (Dollywood) Disney Play Areas Sotheby’s Exhibition Headline News Super Bowl Cartoon Network – Rick and Morty Ron Clark Academy Super Bowl.

LinkedIn

Valet Oil Changes

Valet Oil Changes is an onsite oil change company. Saving busy people their valuable time by bringing the oil change to them. They service individuals throughout the Atlanta area + Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Norcross. And serving Fleets and Offices in the same areas + an expanded area including Cumming.

Company website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

Christopher Allen, Founder and CEO, Valet Oil Changes

Christopher started off in corporate America when he was 23. In two years he went from entry level to managing two departments with 80 direct employees. He learned not only how to work with and support employees, but also to trust his judgement. Leaving that role, he started a short lived insurance agency – learning a ton of great lessons along the way.

He went to work at a chemical manufacturer in Atlanta, handling chemical waste treatment and shipping, and while he was there he started a luxury bathing salts company called Salt Sins, targeting spas and resorts with custom blended scents. He moved from the plant into outside sales as the Southeastern Regional Sales manager. And held that role for 4 years, until starting Valet Oil Changes in December 2021.

LinkedIn

About ProfitSense and Your Host, Bill McDermott

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott dives into the stories behind some of Atlanta’s successful businesses and business owners and the professionals that advise them. This show helps local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. The show is presented by McDermott Financial Solutions. McDermott Financial helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion, and financially prepare to exit their business. The show archive can be found at profitsenseradio.com.

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center and Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University and he and his wife, Martha have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.