Captured Event

September, 06 2007 - Saint Louis Closet Company's Grand Opening

What: Cocktails, appetizers, and tours of the new facility!

Where: 2626 S. Big Bend Boulevard

When: September 6, 2007

Time: 5:00 PM

Ticket Prices: By Invitation

Host(s): Jennifer and Matt Williams, Saint Louis Closet Company

President(s): Jennifer and Matt Williams, Saint Louis Closet Company

Entertainment: TKO DJs

Attendance: 500 Guests

Attire: Business

Information: Jennifer Williams 314-781-9000

Blacktie Photos by: Harry R. Bean

Jay Amato, Jennifer Williams, host, Jen Amato
View all photos

Saint Louis Closet Company's Grand Opening

On Thursday, September 6, 2007, Saint Louis Closet Company held it's Grand Opening at their new location just north of Manchester at 2626 S. Big Bend Boulevard.

Anyone would agree that good organizational skills are a fundamental qualification for starting your own business. And in 1991, Jennifer Quinn Williams did just that, opening the doors of Saint Louis Closet Co., the first locally–owned closet company that installed custom organizing systems crafted to stand alone (floor-based) and fit the exact dimensions of a customer's closet.

Saint Louis Closet Company has grown from modest means. In her first semester of graduate school, while working part–time at another closet company, Jennifer loved what she was doing and saw how she might be able to do things differently. Then, in October of 1991, she approached the Small Business Administration (SBA) to learn how to go about starting her own business.

That November, she decided to try her luck at a start–up loan. Jennifer's tenacity paid off and she received a call from the loan officer that the SBA and the Bank had approved a loan for $35,000. What about the additional $15,000 she needed? Jennifer just forged ahead; trusting that early sales of her new closet systems would bring in the balance of money necessary to stay in operation. They did.So, at the ripe old age of 25, Jennifer had not only graduated from St. Louis University and begun graduate school, but she also had begun to set up and operate her own business. That first year would realize $236,000 in sales, an amount that has been exceeded by over 1800% in 17 years.

Jennifer also increased her exposure in the industry by joining the Home Builders Association early on. "It's a wonderful opportunity to network with builders and remodelers and market your product,” comments Jennifer. Today, Jennifer and her company are also involved with NAPO, the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce, the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, the Lake St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, the National Closet Group, the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals and the RCGA.

Jennifer's roots are tied to St. Louis having grown up in Kirkwood and graduating from Kirkwood High School in 1984. This hometown entrepreneur then went on to St. Louis University to earn a B.A. in Communications. "I really enjoy running my Business in St. Louis," says Jennifer. "There's a great feeling in knowing that you're helping your community and providing your neighbors with a superior product at the same time." "St. Louisans, love to buy from locally-owned companies, not franchises."