Ball Rebounds and Soars Continued
At Mid-America, Ball learned more than good business ethics. He gained well-rounded experience in the internal workings of the business, exposed to everything from product manufacturing and shipping, to sales in Mid-America’s on-site retail outlet. While working for Mid-America, Ball was entrusted with all aspects of internal operations, including payroll, payables, receivables and insurance.

Ball was an integral part of the Mid-America team but no one was more supportive than his co-workers and the family when he left to start a business of his own. "The Shepherds have always been great," Ball relates. "I had their blessing when I left and they remain committed to my success."

Ball had witnessed first hand Mid-America’s success at selling its oak moldings and oak flooring from its retail outlet, and he projected similar results selling the same products from his own shop. But Ball’s strategy came up short. While hardwood floors and stair parts were readily accepted, the demand for oak molding in Columbia was less than anticipated. Following a business model that projected 35 percent of total sales to come from oak moldings, it was quickly evident that Heritage Home Center would have to modify its game plan.

Ball rebounded and sought council with Glen Oak salesman Dick Thompson. "Dick gave me great advice and explained that this area is largely a painted market," remembers Ball. "He went on to explain why I would benefit from the molding program Glen Oak offers in Prime Poplar™. With my pre-hung doors, the Prime Poplar™ jambs, casing and base made a great package, which attracted the attention of area builders.

"I had absolutely no background in primed pine moldings. But when I visited job sites and saw contractors sanding down finger-joints and losing the pine’s primer coat in the process, I understood their frustrations. I handed them samples of the Prime Poplar™ and they were immediately interested.

"I was amazed! If we had come into the market with what everybody else was selling, we never would have made it competing on price alone."

Thanks to Glen Oak’s Prime Poplar™, Ball enjoys a distinct edge over the local lumberyards he competes against. "The problems faced by my competitors regarding the quality of primed pine have not been my experience with the Prime Poplar™," he declares. "Glen Oak’s priming process creates a smooth and even primer that needs little prep work. Once painted, the finished product looks ten times better than the pine.

"Prime Poplar™ has gotten an excellent response from the builders. And I can honestly tell them, you can count on this product; it’s consistent – truck, after truck, after truck."

That’s important, considering that Ball went through a truckload of Prime Poplar™ every six or seven weeks in the year 2000. In fact, Prime Poplar™ accounts for more than 95 percent of Heritage Home Center’s molding sales. Ball completed his second year in business with general revenues exceeding 200 percent above his initial projections for year two. "We really surprised ourselves!" admits Ball.

While there’s no denying the positive impact Prime Poplar™ and Glen Oak have had on Ball’s business, Dick Thompson is quick to point out that Heritage Home Center’s winning ways are reflections of Ball’s good character. "Jeff is a hard working, honest guy who wouldn’t lie for the world," he acclaims.

With such high scoring marks, local lumberyards aren’t the only ones who’ll be keeping an eye on this mill shop; Heritage Home Center, Inc. is a business worth watching!

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