Garage Door Dennis counts his blessings as part of business success
By Dave Mast
January 3, 2012
821
How many people get to cut their teeth in the business world under someone as successful in the local business world as Emanuel Mullet?
Dennis Schlabach, owner of Denco Marketing and the recipient of the 2011 Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, was fortunate enough to have done so decades ago, and the lessons he learned there were invaluable.
After being hired by Mullet to work at the Wayne Door Co. (later Wayne Dalton) in 1960, and helping the fledgling door company grow to great proportions, Schlabach stepped out on his own, beginning Denco Marketing in 1966, and the rest is a story worthy of emulating for those wishing to get into business themselves. Since then Denco Marketing has been providing the garage door and gate supply market with high quality products, and Schlabachs business philosophy of taking care of the customer first and foremost has paid huge dividends.
Schlabach said that the three main reasons he has experienced such success are honesty, outstanding dedication to customer service and dedicated employees.
We try to always go beyond the expectations of our customers, and every day we strive to fulfill our promise to be responsive and responsible to everyone we do business with. I am fortunate to have a responsible group of employees who really care about our customers.
Throughout his illustrious career, Schlabach has won numerous top awards in the International Door Industry. He has created an impressive company through his hard work and dedication, yet behind the drive, innovation and business savvy is a man who has been called an extremely generous and giving person.
While the business end of his company continues to prosper, Schlabach has made sure that he continues to give back to the community that helped build his dream and continues to support him today.
He and his wife, Kathy, do that by investing both their time and finances into Holmes County youth programs like 4-H. Almost annually, it is not uncommon to see Dennis and Kathy standing beside the grand champion steer, alongside its proud and happy owner, the Schlabachs having made the highest bid.
Any local athletic program usually has Denco Marketing as an advertiser, as the Schlabachs continue to support local youth sports programs across the county.
If you know Dennis, you know he is a man of few words, said his wife, Kathy, as she accepted his award at the banquet on behalf of her husband, who was unable to make it due to health issues.
In his stead, she read a written statement from Dennis, which said, Some look at the success of others and attribute it to luck, read Kathy. I have always preferred to consider myself blessed, to have been born into a family who lived their life devoted to hard work, honesty and concern for others. I was blessed to have been given the opportunity to work in the garage door industry an industry in which I have achieved professional and personal triumph, and where most importantly I have made lifelong friendships.
At this stage of my career, when my physical ability is somewhat limited, I am blessed to have devoted supportive employees, who care as much about Denco and our customers as I do.
My family and my friends and the wonderful community we live in, I count them all as blessings.
As for success in the business world, Dennis Schlabach is quick to deflect praise, and is purposefully driven to talk instead about the qualities that will make anyone successful in the world today.
Of his work philosophy, Dennis Schlabach stated, If you are dedicated to your industry, or your profession, and learn everything about it you possibly can, are willing to give whatever amount of time is necessary to serve your clients and customers, if you set goals, surround yourself with dedicated people, share your success with others, recognize and are thankful for the opportunities that God has given you, the world may consider you lucky, but you will truly be blessed.
It is that kind of philosophy, one which is rare in a success-driven world, where Dennis hangs his hat every night, whether it was a huge day at the office or a nondescript one. Garage Door Dennis has found that counting his blessings daily adds up to success either way.
It is rare today for a person to be referred to as a humble man, said presenter Barry Hummel. But employees, friends and people who know Dennis all seem to come back to that term to describe this private selfless man.
When Dennis name was suggested to the Holmes County Chamber for this award, in one breath the response was, of course, that would be perfect.
While others may have stepped on anyone in their way to the top, Dennis Schlabach has found his way to the highest heights by taking the people around him along for the ride.
