Closet Concepts Inc., a three-generational company, prioritizes family values while creating storage solutions for central Indiana residents.
“For more than 30 years, our team has designed closets, pantries, garages and more,” says Michelle Ross, vice president of human resources and accounting.
Ross’s father-in-law, Bob, started Closet Concepts Inc. in Fort Wayne in 1987. Bob Ross’s twin sons, Joe and Jon, played basketball at Notre Dame. After graduation, they worked in Chicago and married their high school sweethearts in 1995. When Bob offered Joe and Jon the opportunity to start a second location of Closet Concepts in Indianapolis, both jumped at the chance. They opened the Indianapolis location in 1996. Jon eventually moved to Fort Wayne to take over the operation there when their father retired. Joe stayed and ran the Indianapolis office, where family involvement continues to expand.
Joe and Michelle’s oldest son, Tristan, graduated from Hanover College in May with a degree in business marketing and joined Closet Concepts as a designer in August. Twins Ethan and Avery also express interest in joining the company after college. Ethan studies engineering at Purdue, while Avery focuses on science and business at Notre Dame. The youngest of the four children, Mikala, is also at Purdue studying elementary education.
“Joe and I feel very fortunate to work alongside our children,” Ross says. “It has allowed us to get away more on vacations without worrying because we know that Tristan has grown up in the business.”
While innovative closet systems are the main business of Closet Concepts, the company has expanded over the years to organize pantries, garages, offices, play areas and more.
“Customers want to maximize the space they have in their home stylishly and economically,” Ross explains. “We like to understand how customers live to make their lives as simple as possible.”
The design team spends time with each client to learn what they need. For a closet, that includes understanding how they use drawers, islands and hangers as well as how they like to store shoes and jewelry.
The team at Closet Concepts then uses a CAD system to create a free estimate and design to review with the client. Customers can even see suggested materials at the company’s full showroom.
With great foresight, Joe and Jon bought a cut shop that produces materials for both Closet Concept locations.
“We manufacture the materials at a reasonable cost with reliable service,” Ross says. “Three installers have been with our company for over 10 years.”
While competitors have appeared in the market, Ross says customers continued to choose the company as their source for home simplification.
"Cost, timing and service are just three of the reasons most customers use Closet Concepts for multiple projects in multiple homes," she says. “As a family company, we stand behind the high quality of our work and customer service. Word of mouth is our biggest source of new customers.”
Active in the community, Joe and Michelle work with many community organizations, local athletic teams and the St. Jude Dream Home project.
As family roles expand within the business, Michelle and Joe are learning to cherish spending so much time with their kids. There’s a built-in trust working alongside family, and they confirm they're preparing for their kids to take on the business someday to continue serving the Indianapolis community.