Holland, MI, July 27--After spending his formative years on a dairy farm in Borculo, Ken Machiela headed to the big city, hoping to find a job.
If you are from Borculo, Holland is pretty big, after all, according to the Grand Rapids Press.
He found what he was looking for at a Holland flooring company. More than four decades later, those interested in everything from flooring to furniture seek him out.
As the head of Great Lakes Interiors, Machiela, 63, knows his floors. He also knows what it takes to succeed in the competitive retail world
"I had precious few resources when I started except a strong will and a strong desire," Machiela said. "Those two things will carry you a long way."
Three years after taking his first job in the flooring business, Machiela was manning his own floor-covering operation. Today, he is at the helm of one of Michigan's largest a home interior stores.
Great Lakes Interiors operates on an in-store leasing premise that allows vendors to set up inside its 90,000-square-foot Great Lakes Home Furnishings Center.
"It's a seamless environment for the customer, like walking into a large department store," he said. "Our concept will give you more continuity in your project. I don't know of another store in Michigan that even comes close to what we do."
When he got started 42 years ago, Machiela offered floor covering and tile, eventually moving Great Lakes Tile into a 1,200-square-foot storefront at 32nd Street and Columbia Avenue.
In 1970, he built a showroom at 32nd Street and Lincoln Avenue; the storefront was too small.
About 1979, Machiela began using private vendors to offer furniture with his flooring. It was, in a sense, one-stop shopping for the home, and it quickly caught on.
With his venture thriving, Machiela in 1995 built a 50,000-square-foot building to house his products and the products of six vendors.
There were skeptics, to be sure.
"Everyone thought we were nuts. It was so far away from everything," he said of site northeast of Felch Street and U.S. 31. The area today is a thriving business district.
A few years later, he added 20,000 square feet to the showroom. An additional 20,000 square feet was added last year for an antique mall.
"We are very adamant about following and working with trends in colors, styles, even pricing," Machiela said. "Right now, the trend is to combine old pieces with new ones for an eclectic home. That was a strong reason for adding the antique portion."
Great Lakes' 12 associated vendors offer a range of products such as lighting, window coverings, electronics, cabinets, landscaping, floral arrangements, sunrooms, fireplaces and closets.
Great Lakes employees, including interior designers, guide customers through the decorating process.
"Going from store to store means you're always working with a different person who might not understand your taste or how the whole picture fits together," Machiela said. "Our staff will help you correlate every aspect of your room or home, and we talk to you about colors, styles, room sizes and your budget."
The showroom it built in 1970 now serves as an outlet center. Machiela also has a store in St. Joseph and wants to expand into South Bend, Ind.
