Wood Industry Market Leader: Dan Tafoya, Tailored Living

 

Starting in 2007 with Closet Tailors, Dan Tafoya and the visionary team behind parent company, Home Franchise Concepts, transformed and evolved the closet company into one of the most recognized brands in the whole home organization industry – Tailored Living.

The company acquired PremierGarage in 2011, creating the industry’s first, and largest, integrated provider for whole-home organization. Today, Tailored Living has more than 200 franchise territories in over 2,100 cities in North America – and it’s still growing.

“I’m proud of evolving this brand from a me-too closet organizer to the world’s largest whole-home organization and flooring franchise,” with over half of the revenues involving garage organization and flooring, said Tafoya, president.

“Beyond that, I’m honored that Tailored Living franchisees are providing something even more important than home organization – harmony.  In today’s post-recessionary society, we’re offering our customers peace of mind, and a refuge from an increasingly complex world. The idea is that if your home is organized, your life can be organized.”

As a member of Home Franchise Concepts, Tailored Living has access to all of HFC’s available tools and resources. “The smartest thing we’ve done recently is leverage the marketing power of our 1,350 HFC franchisees to the direct benefit of every Tailored Living business owner,” Tafoya said. “It gives [us] a distinct advantage over our competitors.”

Another advantage is the ability of the company, and franchises, to capitalize on the latest trends and opportunities, with the “ongoing goal to strengthen  Tailored Living’s brand reputation as the leader in whole-home organization,” he added. 

“A big reason behind our four consecutive years of double-digit revenue growth is not just that we’ve added exclusive organization products and garage flooring to our offerings, but that everything we do, from in-home consultation to design and installation surpasses our customer’s expectations.”

The company also takes pride in its community service, and supports a variety of organizations including Working Wardrobes and the Blind Children’s Learning Center. “We’re also honored to work closely with veteran groups,” Tafoya said. “As a result, a sizeable percentage of Tailored Living and HFC franchisees are former members of the U.S. and Canadian armed forces. We’re especially proud of that fact.”

Away from work, Tafoya enjoys spending time with friends and family. “I also will do anything I can to camp, fish, hike and enjoy the great outdoors.”

Quick Glimpse:

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Science from California State University, Fullerton.
  • Number of years at the company: 16
  • Number of years in the industry: 16
  • Business mantra: I always try to remember my two personal mottos: “Do what is right” and “Keep it simple.” While doing the right thing is never in question, keeping it simple becomes more of a challenge as Tailored Living continues to grow in franchisee territories and revenue.
  • Best advice: A previous manager of mine told me to surround yourself with the best people to build the best team.  This means finding people that have skills that are different – and even better – than my own and then giving them the best training available. I’ve tried to remember this.

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About the author
Karen Koenig | Editor

Karen M. Koenig has more than 30 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As editor of special publications under the Woodworking Network brand, including the Red Book Best Practices resource guide and website, Karen’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating of editorial content. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media. She can be reached at [email protected]