Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill and Andrew Schultz.
Parker & Bailey is owned by brothers Bill and Andrew Schultz. We previously owned a company with our family called The Gonzo Corporation from 1990 to 2003. In 2003, we sold The Gonzo Corporation and Andrew and Bill purchased Parker & Bailey in 2008. Back in 2008, the company was a very small business that consisted of 4 or 5 furniture and wood care products. The products were sold in a few retailers in New England and had very little national distribution and brand awareness. Our first order of business was to update our packaging to reflect the history and quality of the products we made. The products were produced in Maine and have been around since 1879. We changed our packaging to reflect the history and heritage of the products. Over the past 9 years, we have expanded our line to include other great cleaners and furniture care accessories such as felt pads, touch up markers, and quite a bit more. We also own the license for Thomasville Woodcare, and sell many of our products under the Thomasville name.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s always a challenge when you are growing a business. Fortunately, we have run a similar business in the past so that has certainly helped overcome some obstacles. Most of our struggles have been ‘good struggles’ that go along with a growing business. Running out of warehouse space, updated computer and IT systems, and managing inventories to accommodate a growing customer base to name a few.
Parker & Bailey – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Parker & Bailey manufactures and distributes consumer household cleaning products and furniture accessories to retailers all over the world. We are really known for our high quality wood care products, but have expanded our assortment to include other cleaners and furniture care accessories such as felt pads, touch up markers, furniture sliders and more. We sell both local and national retailers. some of our local customers include: Roche Bros. (our first grocery customer), Shaw’s, Stop N’ Shop, Big Y, Demoulas/Market Basket, Benny’s, Aubuchon Hardware, Ace Hardware and many more. Our national customers include TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Marshalls, Costco, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, The Container Store, H.E.B, Bed Bath & Beyond, Amazon, and many more.
I would say we are most proud of still being a lean and small company and being able to operate like a large company. We only have 6 employees, and we all wear a lot of hats. From selling product, managing inventories, product development, shipping, to sweeping the warehouse floor… It’s all in a day’s work. We are also proud of being able to service both big and small customers. No customer is too small. We have no voicemails, answer all phone calls, and try to ship our customers within 24 to 48 hours.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I would say in business, we define success as being able to do something you enjoy and make a good living while doing it. In our previous business, we learned a lot from my father and mentor Stephen Schultz, and he always said “if you aren’t having fun doing it, then do something else.” In order to be successful in our type of business, we always have to keep coming out with new products and ideas for our customers. Once you stop doing that, it becomes hard to grow. What we both really value is the success in our personal lives. Our families always come first, and both of us have great wives and children that we consider our real success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4 Walpole Park South
Walpole, MA 02081 - Website: www.parkerbailey.com www.thomasvillewoodcare.com
- Phone: 508-660-0011
- Email: info@parkerbailey.com
- Instagram: parkerbaileycleaning
- Facebook: parker bailey corporation
- Twitter: #parkerandbailey
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