Companies use all sorts of marketing ideas to advertise their services, but Men in Kilts has taken advertising to new heights, with the kilt being the focal point. Men in Kilts is a North American residential and commercial window and exterior cleaning company.
The concept originated in 2002 when a Scotsman residing in Vancouver, Canada wore his hand-sewn kilt while working. This drew much attention, the company grew, and later he franchised.
The concept of wearing a kilt while working is what makes Men in Kilts both appealing and unique and in 2012 the first franchise was sold. It now has over 50 franchise locations throughout Canada and the United States, with one locally owned by Colorado Springs resident Jerry Powell.
Men in Kilts in Colorado Springs
Powell considered more than 700 franchises before choosing Men in Kilts. The thought of working in a kilt was a big decision-maker.
“I looked at so many franchises and this one kept coming back to me,” he said. “I think the kilt is a very neat thing. Scotland and its Scottish heritage always interested me. Generations back, my father’s relatives came to the United States from Wales. People may forget the name of the company they used, but they don’t forget the man in the kilt.”
Powell opened Men in Kilts on March 27. He owned a small landscaping company for years and served in the Navy from 1997 to 2006. He’s worked as an operations and plant manager at several places along with being a facilities manager. He always wanted to own his own business and felt his past work experience provided an easy transition into entrepreneurship. Men in Kilts is the first franchise company he’s owned and operated.
Powell operates the company himself along with one other employee but plans to add an additional employee soon. Services he provides include indoor and outdoor window washing, gutter cleaning, house power washing, and cleaning of other hard-to-reach areas. He services both residential and commercial residences. All work is performed from the ground with special tools and is done while wearing a kilt.
“Colorado Springs is a great place to offer this service,” Powell explained. “People here love their views of the mountains. We get a tremendous amount of dust around here and a lot of pine needles that need to be removed from gutters. We also have a heavy population of people in the military and the medical field who have time-consuming jobs. We give them more time to enjoy life.”
Powell owns two territories in Colorado Springs, the north side and the south side. He would like to expand the number of vans and employees he has and become more engaged in community activities and causes. He is bonded, insured, and does background checks on employees.
“Our pricing is competitive with other businesses, and I give on-site assessments and costs, so the customer has no surprises,” he said. “They know up front what the cost will be and if the gutters don’t need cleaning at that time, I tell them that.”
“So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Powell said. “People love the concept. They want to know more about us, and the kilts and they stop to talk to us.”
History of the Company
“This is a company with a fascinating marketing strategy,” explained Ron Bender, Interim Chief Growth Officer with Threshold Brands, which now owns the company. “The founder Nicholas Brand is of Scottish heritage and was living in Canada. He owned a window cleaning company and a friend suggested he wear his kilt while working. He did and the business exploded. He franchised it and later sold it.”
Bender explained in less than three years, the company has opened 28 franchises throughout the United States. The growth expectation, he said, is to add 15 more franchises this year and possibly expand into different home services.
All upper management of the brand are women, and there are several female franchise owners and franchise employees he explained. The founder was recently recognized by the National Franchise Association as a franchiser of the year.
“We attract franchise owners with big personalities,” Bender said. “You need a big personality for this business. Our people are involved with their communities and enjoy talking to other people. Everybody wants to talk to the person in a kilt.”
For additional information or to schedule with Men in Kilts in Colorado Springs call 719-396-3006 or visit www.meninkilts.com/colorado-springs-co.
