Back in 2012, after long careers in the corporate world, Marc and Jill Javet decided they were both ready for a new adventure - starting their own business. Big fans of interior design, they’d been through several home renos together, so they purchased the Toronto Tailored Living Franchise. The company custom designs and installs closets and other built-in storage solutions for homes and garages.
Today, the five-time Best of HomeStars Award-winning small business has a team of five employees and a strong network of partners in the interior design and construction community. Their clients include downsizers, people who are moving, building, renovating, or anyone who isn’t satisfied with the storage space in their homes - whether it’s a closet, entryway, mudroom, laundry room, basement, garage, or home office.
Adapting during COVID-19
During the eight-week shutdown, Toronto Tailored Living used a CEBA loan for ongoing expenses like rent payments and franchise royalty fees. Going through every expense to find ways to work differently or more efficiently also became a valuable, eye-opening practice. They also used the time as an opportunity to shift their “in-home” consultation model to a virtual one, so they could keep doing business. They continue to offer virtual consultations today, taking advantage of technologies like Zoom to serve clients.
New world, new business
COVID-19 has created a lot of new business opportunities for Toronto Tailored Living. People are developing a different relationship with their home these days, after spending so much time there. Home renovations are on the rise and internet searches for “home office” have spiked. People are looking at their living spaces through a new lens, wanting space for both comfort and productivity. Plus, they often need their space to serve multiple functions - living area, office, gym, etc.
“With working at home becoming a more permanent solution for many people and businesses, having well designed, effective workspaces — often for multiple family members and often in tight quarters — becomes key,” says Jill. “Our company has seen a significant increase in inquiries for home office designs in the last six months.”
Like many successful business owners, Marc and Jill have concluded that companies able to move nimbly and change fast will be the ones to survive this pandemic - so they intend to do exactly that.
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