Chris McKenry, owner of Closets by McKenry, has a diverse background that has shaped his entrepreneurial journey. Growing up in West Knoxville, Tennessee, McKenry’s family owned a poultry business, a venture where they achieved the milestone of being the first to sell to Colonel Sanders himself. 

After working in the family business until his 40s, he decided to move to California, where McKenry began a career as a professional organizer, specializing in helping clients declutter and organize their spaces. This experience sparked his interest in closet design, and he began designing closets independently. 

When he returned to his hometown in 2014, McKenry saw an opportunity to put his passion to work and launched Closets by McKenry from his home. As business grew, he realized he needed a dedicated showroom space.  

“I worked out of my home for the first four years,” he said. “I didn’t really want to leave it. I enjoyed that, but business grew, and I knew that I needed [to] because I needed space for extra projects that were cut, that we wanted to install. I couldn’t even park my van at home because we were, you know, in a scenario where they don’t allow commercial vehicles.”

So, in 2019, McKenry opened his first showroom, a move that he now wishes he had made earlier. The showroom provided much-needed space for project materials and allowed customers to experience the quality and craftsmanship of his closet solutions firsthand. 

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that he decided to expand further. When the space next door became available, he took the opening to grow his business. This expansion decision coincided with the rising demand for designer garages, leading McKenry to venture into garage flooring solutions with the launch of his Designer Garages brand.  

Currently, Closets by McKenry has a 4,000-square-foot facility, with half dedicated to the showroom and the other half serving as a warehouse for flooring materials and equipment. 

McKenry’s showroom is strategically designed to showcase a variety of closet and garage solutions, catering to different styles and budgets. The showroom features multiple closet displays, as well as a pantry, laundry room, home office, mudroom, wall bed, and a dedicated section for garages, complete with an epoxy floor. 

McKenry emphasized the importance of creating an inviting and informative space for customers. The showroom’s open layout and diverse displays allow customers to visualize the possibilities for their own homes. 

One of the highlights of the showroom is the Design Center, a dedicated area where clients can sit down with designers and visualize their projects using ClosetPro Software. This interactive approach allows customers to see their dream closets and garages come to life before any construction begins. 

“They’ll see the renders, and we, most of the time, are able to make adjustments and changes to everything while they are while they are here,” McKenry noted.

Staying ahead of the curve
McKenry employs a multi-faceted marketing strategy that combines traditional and digital approaches. He advertises in local magazines, participates in trade shows, and maintains an active presence on social media. “I’ve got several people here that are doing more with TikTok and Instagram Reels to build brand awareness,” he added. “That’s a slow building [process], to build that up, but…my goal is to do that.”

He also recognizes the importance of networking and building relationships with other professionals in the industry, such as interior designers and architects. 

Marketing and competition
The closet and garage industry in Knoxville has become increasingly competitive, with new players entering the market regularly. However, McKenry said he remains confident in his ability to stand out from the crowd by building strong relationships with clients and offering personalized solutions. He attributes his success to his commitment to customer service, his team of highly skilled designers and installers, and his ability to adapt to changing trends. 

Looking ahead, McKenry said he is excited to continue innovating and expanding his business. He plans to enhance his showroom further, explore new product lines, and invest in cutting-edge technology to streamline his operations. He also plans to focus on social media marketing, creating engaging content that showcases his company’s creativity and expertise. 

But for McKenry, it’s not just about the bottom line. He also gives back to the community. He’s involved in several charitable causes, including a program that provides clothing to business students in need.

Learn more at closetsbymckenry.com and designergarages.com.