Organizers Direct: Prospective Dealer Guide

PROSPECTIVE DEALER GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

About Us

2

About the Founder: Neil

3

Message from Neil

4

Marketing & Sales Support

7

Dealer Training

8

The Organizers Direct Difference

12 Products 13

In-Home Products

16

Garage Products

20

Garage Flooring

21 Summary

Dealer Testimonials

ORGANIZERS DIRECT CORPORATE OFFICE SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA P (866)-347-0341 x 244 • F (866)-703-9899 • organizersdirect.com

ABOUT US

IT’S ABOUT PASSION Organizers Direct is passionate about providing superior customer service and the highest quality products. Our team’s genuine commitment to our network of independent dealerships is evident in everything we do. From our extensive training program, to our business development and marketing resources, we are dedicated to providing personal support and effective tools to help our dealers succeed.

OUR PRODUCT LINES ■■

Closets

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Wall Beds

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Pantries

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Garage

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Home Offices

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Garage Storage Systems

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Laundry Rooms

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Garage Flooring

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PASSIO N FO R SU CC ESS 1

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

BACKGROUND

COMMITMENT TO DEALERS

At the young age of 17, Neil Balter founded California Closets® and with it established a new industry — custom home organization.

In just under a decade, Neil expanded the company to include more than 100 franchises across five continents, with annual sales in excess of $66 million. In 1990, just before his 30th birthday, Neil negotiated the multi-million dollar sale of the company to Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Organizers Direct is built on Neil’s well-practiced passion and know-how. Recognized by many as the founder of the home organization industry, Neil authored The Closet Entrepreneur, 337 Ways to Start Your Successful Business with Little or No Money.

From author to mentor, Neil channels his years of experience as an entrepreneur into practical tips and insights on developing a business and avoiding pitfalls.

The recipient of numerous prestigious professional awards, Neil’s innovation and business savvy have garnered recognition within the industry and beyond. Neil was named a “2013 Market Leader”

by Wood Products Magazine. Twice he was highlighted in the Top 10 of the Arthur Young Top Entrepreneur Award. Other awards include Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Outstanding Entrepreneur” Achievement Award and a top 10 ranking in ACE’s “Top 100 Entrepreneurs Under 30” for five consecutive years.

Since its inception in 1992, Organizers Direct has selected only the most qualified dealers to represent its comprehensive line of custom cabinetry and organization systems for closets, garages, pantries, home offices and wall beds.

Neil’s entrepreneurial endeavors have been profiled in more than 1000 media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, People Magazine and the Oprah Winfrey Show.

California Closets® is a registered trademark of California Closet Company, Inc. and is not affiliated with Neil Balter.

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Neil is committed to using his experience to help Organizers Direct’s dealers start and grow their businesses. All Organizers Direct dealers are professionally trained in design, installation and marketing by Neil and his team. Dealers associated with Organizers Direct receive real-world support and sound advice from an industry pioneer who understands, firsthand, what it means to build a business from the ground up.

MESSAGE FROM NEIL

Owning your own business is hard work; if you are going to put in that much effort, you better be passionate about what you do. The best advice anyone ever gave me was “enthusiasm is contagious — catch it!” And, you know what? It’s true. I am living proof.

At age 17, I was as improbable a candidate to start my own business as there ever was. Not only did I have zero experience, but I was struggling just to make it through high school. In retrospect, I did have a few things going for me: I had desire, enormous energy and I was too naïve to know how much the odds were stacked against me.

Thirty-five years later, after founding, operating and then selling a company, I’ve completed the full cycle. Though I am now years into this new venture, it hasn’t always been easy. I have had my share of ups and downs, and along the way I’ve gained wisdom and a passion for sharing it.

I’ve learned as much from success as I have from failures, which makes me an enthusiastic mentor.

When consulting with our dealers, I am always candid about my mistakes and I’ll call out the pitfalls, hoping they won’t fall into them, too. I am deeply committed to helping those around me succeed.

If you have ever dreamed of owning your own business or, if you already have a business and are looking for a new perspective, take the next step towards an exciting opportunity with Organizers Direct. I will be with you every step of the way.

Sincerely, Neil Balter

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MARKETING & SALES SUPPORT

Organizers Direct provides dealers with all of the resources, tools and training they need to succeed. In addition to classroom training and one-on-one consulting, we provide practical sales and marketing products and programs. Whether a start-up or an established business, Organizers Direct dealers are given all the support needed to market their products and services efficiently and effectively.

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MARKETING & SALES SUPPORT your guide to home organization

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DEALER RESOURCE WEBSITE: From installation manuals and order forms, to archives of Organizers Direct newsletters, dealers have 24/7 access to all things Organizers Direct. The true standout of the website, however, is the online Marketing Toolkit. The Marketing Toolkit houses advertising and collateral materials, internet marketing tools, downloadable product images, business analysis tools and PR templates.

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MARKETING COLLATERAL: Full product catalogs, home show fliers, warranty cards and other high quality marketing materials are available for purchase from Organizers Direct’s online printing website. All products are customizable with the dealer’s logo and contact information, providing the “Big Look” of a large, national company with the appeal of a local business.

PRODUCT IMAGES: A complete portfolio of professional product images is available to all authorized dealers to use without restriction. Images are available as both standard JPG files and as high resolution files for print (truck wraps, banners, etc.) and may be downloaded directly from the Organizers Direct dealer website.

SALES KITS & SAMPLES: We offer two customized, soft-sided sales kits, one for garage products and one for in-home products. Each kit contains door samples in each available color and style, hardware samples and accessories. Dealers may order additional door samples in any color or style, as well as a keychain with color swatches. We also offer a mini garage cabinet which adeptly illustrates our 1” adjustable shelves, soft-close hinges and laminate garage counter.

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MARKETING & SALES SUPPORT

ADVERTISING TEMPLATES: Organizers Direct provides dealers with a variety of print and digital ad templates.

Ready-for-publication print ads in common sizes are downloadable and ready to forward to the dealer’s local publications of choice. Similarly, digital ad templates are available for use in online advertising. All ad templates are designed to be customized with the dealer’s logo and contact information and are completely free to use by authorized dealers.

DESIGN SOFTWARE: Our intuitive design program, LiveStorage™, allows dealers to create custom designs on a laptop right in the customer’s home. LiveStorage requires no CAD or drafting knowledge and includes custom pricing schemes, inventory management and order processing tools. With LiveStorage a dealer can easily design, price and order any stock and many custom-sized products.

See a demo at www.livestorage.chi-llc. com/videos/livestorage.

ANALYTICAL TOOLS: Media productivity, lead tracking, ROI analysis and other analytical tools are explained during training and available online through the dealer website.

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WEBSITE DESIGNS/SEO/PPC: We train our dealers on the latest developments in online advertising, social media strategies and the importance of website optimization. Organizers Direct provides a list of recommended vendors who understand our business and can help create an effective online presence for local dealers to attract leads.

BUSINESS TEMPLATES & GUIDES: Also available on the dealer website are various social media and PR guides as well as business letter and marketing templates such as press releases templates and builder prospecting letters.

HANDS-ON TRAINING

Our dealers receive free, comprehensive training and are provided the best in industry practices. Our Organizers Direct team members are highly qualified to coach and mentor dealers in all aspects of design, installation, sales, administration and marketing.

Mond ay 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 A 12:30 M PM 1:30 PM 5:00 PM

WHAT DEALERS SAY ABOUT OUR TRAINING “I found the training invaluable. To know there is a core group of great people that genuinely want you to succeed and are just a phone call away gives me so much confidence to go out and sell. I can’t imagine not attending the training.”

“The Organizers Direct team is very friendly, professional, helpful and very organized! Their dealers are their priority!”

“Organizers Direct provides comprehensive training for anyone interested in getting into the storage industry.”

“Their excitement and experiences were great and they really made me feel like I could succeed with this system.”

“It was great to be able to put the product together hands on.”

Tuesd ay 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 A 12:00 M PM 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 5:00 PM Wedn esda y 7:00 AM 9:00 A 10:30 M A 12:00 M PM 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

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THE ORGANIZERS DIRECT DIFFERENCE

DEALER BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS ■■

Independence — no fees, no contracts

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Comprehensive mentoring and hands-on training

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Unparalleled customer service

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Professional marketing, advertising and sales support

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Industry-leading warranty

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Competitive freight program

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3D design-to-order software

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Short lead times

THE ORGANIZERS DIRECT DIFFERENCE

I NDEPENDENCE — NO FEES, NO CONTRACTS

We are not a franchise. Authorized Organizers Direct dealers are independently owned and operated local businesses. Organizers Direct dealers receive all of the support, tools and marketing power of a large franchise with no fees, no contracts, no royalty payments and no exclusivity.

COMPREHENSIVE MENTORING AND HANDS-ON TRAINING

Our dealers receive free, comprehensive training and are provided the best in industry practices. Our Organizers Direct team members are highly qualified to coach and mentor dealers in all aspects of design, installation, sales, administration and marketing.

UNPARALLELED CUSTOMER SERVICE

The Organizers Direct team prides itself on building lasting and trusting relationships with each and every dealer. All dealers have direct cell phone access 24/7 to Organizers Direct company personnel. We strive to provide superior customer service in all that we do.

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THE ORGANIZERS DIRECT DIFFERENCE

PROFESSIONAL MARKETING AND SALES SUPPORT

Organizers Direct provides a full suite of sales, advertising, public relations and marketing materials to every dealer. All of our print and online resources, including customizable collateral, press releases and product photography, are available 24/7 via our online dealer portal. Organizers Direct frequently updates our Dealer resources — keeping our offerings fresh and unique, and helping your marketing efforts stay a step ahead of the competition.

INDUSTRY-LEADING WARRANTY

Organizers Direct provides a lifetime warranty on all cabinetry. If a cabinetry product ever fails during normal use, we replace it free of charge — period.

COMPETITIVE FREIGHT PROGRAM

With our freight program, ninety percent of orders ship free freight. Shipping is never more than $250.

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WE CHOSE TO MAKE ORGANIZERS DIRECT OUR PRIMARY VENDOR — AND WE’RE SO GLAD WE MADE THAT DECISION. WE BEGAN REAPING THE REWARDS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. OUR OVERSTOCK BEGAN DROPPING BECAUSE WE COULD ORDER IN SMALLER QUANTITIES. — Brooke Peterson, President, The Closet Guy

OFFICE

THE ORGANIZERS DIRECT DIFFERENCE

3D DESIGN-TO-ORDER SOFTWARE

Organizers Direct’s design-to-install process is fully streamlined. Our intuitive design program, LiveStorage™, requires no CAD or drafting knowledge. With LiveStorage a dealer can easily design, price and order any stock and many customsized products. LiveStorage even includes props, so you can show your customer what their closet will look like with their items inside. Once a design is complete, with just a click of a button the design is exported to an Organizers Direct order form.

LiveStorage also features inventory management.

See a demo at livestorage.chi-llc.com/videos/ livestorage.

SHORT LEAD TIMES AND NORTH-AMERICAN MADE

With the exception of our Premier drawer fronts, our cabinet products are manufactured in North America. Our two facilities — one in Toronto and one in Phoenix — service all of North America and provide redundant coverage should one facility go offline. Due to our strategic facility locations, most orders are received within 10 days

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CLOSETS

PRODUCTS

Organizers Direct offers a complete line of products for both garage and in-home organization in a wide range of finishes and styles. Our organization products are designed to impress the choosiest of customers yet are competitively priced.

Our in-home products include custom cabinetry and accessories for closets, pantries, home offices, wall beds, mudrooms and laundry rooms. We provide solutions to satisfy the unique style, needs and budget of nearly any homeowner.

Organizers Direct provides one-stop shopping for all garage storage needs. We offer high quality custom garage cabinetry, countertops, wall-mounted storage systems, overhead storage racks and premium floor coatings. With more than 3,000 garage SKUs, the design possibilities are virtually endless.

All of Organizers Direct’s wood products are backed by our lifetime warranty; if a cabinetry product ever fails during normal use, we replace it free of charge — period.

WE’RE VERY GLAD WE MADE THE SWITCH FROM PRO CLOSETS/EASY CLOSETS TO ORGANIZERS DIRECT. — Ursula Hegvik, Owner, Smart Spaces

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IN-HOME PRODUCTS ACCESSORIES

A small sample of accessories available to create truly customized storage.

STURDY CONSTRUCTION: Cabinets are constructed of 3/4” commercial-grade particle board with thermofused melamine finish.

THERMAL FOIL DRAWER/DOOR PROFILES: Available in five styles — Flat Panel, Shaker, Raised Panel, Pillowtop and Modern. All styles are available in all colors.

PREMIER DRAWER/DOOR PROFILE: Our exclusive Italian-made five piece fronts in decorative laminate veneer with doweled miter joinery have a lacquered and glazed finish.

COLORS & STYLES

In-home cabinets are available in 11 standard colors and six styles. All colors are available in each style except Premier.

COLOR: WHITE STYLE: MODERN

COLOR: ANTIQUE WHITE STYLE: PREMIER

COLOR: SECRET STYLE: PREMIER

COLOR: CHOCOLATE PEAR STYLE: PREMIER

COLOR: CONCRETE STYLE: RAISED PANEL

COLOR: CANDLELIGHT STYLE: PILLOWTOP

COLOR: WARM COGNAC STYLE: SHAKER

COLOR: MAHOGANY STYLE: PREMIER

COLOR: COCO STYLE: SHAKER

COLOR: LICORICE STYLE: PILLOWTOP

COLOR: ARCTIC STYLE: FLAT PANEL

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IN-HOME PRODUCTS

ACCESSORIES: Our organizational accessories are designed to maximize space. We offer an assortment of sliding rails, baskets, mirrors, shoe fences, hooks, jewelry organizers, hampers and built in ironing boards. All accessories are available in a variety of finishes to complement any decor.

OPTIONS: With nearly 7,000 inhome products and the ability to design and price custom-sized doors and drawers integrated into our 3D design software, the design possibilities are nearly endless.

FULL LENGTH AND SPECIAL SIZED DOORS: We offer full length doors in all widths (18”, 24” and 30”) and heights (80” and 90”). We also have 42 ¾” and 52 ¾” door sets to cover the gap when designing a tower with drawers. For base cabinets and uppers, we have the standard 36” high door sets along with 24” high hutch doors.

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MUD ROOMS & ENTRY WAYS AS FAR AS SELECTION, I HAVE NOT HAD A CUSTOMER THAT I COULD NOT SATISFY WITH THE BREADTH OF THE LINE. IT IS WHAT THEY SAY — HIGH QUALITY, GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE, ONTIME DELIVERIES AT A COMPETITIVE PRICE. — Dave McClintic, Former Owner, Space Envy

WALL BEDS

SOFT CLOSE HINGES & FULL EXTENSION RUNNERS: All of our doors come standard with 110-degree, soft-close concealed hinges. All drawers include full-extension runners.

PANTRY & OTHER STORAGE

SMALL CARTON QUANTITIES: All uprights are packaged two to a box. Stop-drilled upright orders come with one right and one left in a box. Shelves are packaged three to a box, and drawers, doors and hampers are in single quantities.

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ACCESSORIES

A sample of accessories and configurations for customized storage.

GARAGE PRODUCTS

SMART DESIGN: We offer nearly 200 standard sizes of garage cabinets — including blind corner cabinets, center-divided tall cabinets and sink bases — making it easy to customize any space. Our extra deep cabinets have enough room to fit large storage bins front to back on a shelf, doubling the capacity of the competitors’ cabinets.

STANDARD FINISH: Color-matched melamine cabinets are available in seven colors.

COLORS & FINISHES

COLOR: WHITE FINISH: MATTE

COLOR: MAPLE FINISH: WOOD GRAIN

COLOR: SILVER FINISH: METALLIC

COLOR: SLATE FINISH: SOLID

COLOR: COCO FINISH: WOOD GRAIN

COLOR: WINDSWEPT PEWTER FINISH: METALLIC

COLOR: RED FINISH: POWDER COATED

COLOR: GRANITE FINISH: POWDER COATED

COLOR: BRONZE FINISH: METALLIC

POWDER COATED FINISH: Available in Red and Granite, our powdercoated finish cabinets are the most durable and environment-resistant available in the market today.

Because the cabinets are completely encapsulated, they are moisture, stain and chip resistant, and more durable than liquid paint or other alternatives.

WORKBENCH/COUNTERTOPS: Offered in Stainless Steel, Butcher Block and Ebony Star laminate.

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GARAGE PRODUCTS

CONSTRUCTION: Cabinets are built of 3/4” thick commercial-grade particle board. Shelving is 1” thick and available fixed or adjustable, with a load-bearing capacity of 100 lbs. Cabinets are solidly constructed without a center dividing post, providing unobstructed access to the entire shelf. All of our garage cabinets come with full backing for strength and protection from dust.

WALL-MOUNTED: Cabinets anchor directly to the garage wall creating a “floating” cabinet. This design allows for easy cleaning and discourages dirt accumulation or water damage.

HARDWARE: Full-swing, soft-close hinges open wide for easy access.

All drawers are full-extension.

SLIDING DOORS: Our innovative, dual-track sliding door system provides easy access to belongings without the need to move a parked vehicle.

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GARAGE PRODUCTS

OVERHEAD STORAGE RACKS: Our overhead storage racks provide extra storage for bulky and/or seasonal items.

SLATWALL WALL STORAGE SYSTEMS: Durable PVC Slatwall panels are impervious to water and will not chip, warp or flake. For full wall coverage, trim pieces provide finishing touches around edges, windows and doors.

WORKBENCH

GRIDWALL WALL STORAGE SYSTEMS: Constructed of commercial grade steel, Gridwall sections mount securely to the wall in 2’ x 2’ sections ACCESSORIES: Organizers Direct offers an extensive selection of accessories including durable hooks, tilt bins, wire baskets, tool holders, sport racks, recycling bins, and more. Accessories may be used with either the Slatwall or Gridwall systems.

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GARAGE FLOORING

For full service garage dealers, Organizers Direct offers high quality garage floor coatings and supplies.

Our hybrid-polymer based system is available in two base coat colors, 11 different chip blends and two chip sizes. We have a dedicated flooring specialist available to train dealers on flooring products and installation.

WE HAVE BEEN AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OF ORGANIZERS DIRECT FOR 17 YEARS. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY FAIR AND HONEST IN OUR LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP. — Greg Parsons, Owner, Clever Closets

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SUMMARY THE ORGANIZERS DIRECT DIFFERENCE ORGANIZERS DIRECT

COMPETITION

Marketing resources: Organizers Direct offers a “Big Look” for a local dealer with our suite of professional photos, brochures and advertising — at no cost to our dealers.

Dealers pay into an expensive marketing fund and are required to follow corporate programs.

Lead generation support: We train dealers on how to generate leads, manage leads and calculate the ROI of leads.

Not offered

Ongoing support and mentoring: Organizers Direct’s regional mangers build lasting relationships with their dealers and are passionate about helping them succeed.

Dealers get lost in the corporate shuffle.

Training: Organizers Direct provides free hands-on education in our Arizona office and/or on-site training at the dealer’s location.

Not offered

TESTIMONIALS “Organizers Direct has assembled all the resources a business needs to be successful. It’s like joining a franchise without the headaches and cost.” — New Organizers Direct Trainee “We’re very glad we made the switch from Pro Closets/Easy Closets to Organizers Direct.”

— Ursula Hegvik Owner, Smart Spaces

“With options and programs that allow me to provide my customers from the most basic design to the most customized organizing solution one can imagine. This relationship allows me to have a multimillion-dollar factory at my disposal without the overhead costs. It is an absolute joy to work with [the Organizers Direct Team.”

— George Chowanec Owner, All About Closets

“My first year of being a dealer for Organizers Direct I was able to triple my sales … Their broad selection of finishes and styles … is only part of the equation.

[Organizers Direct’s] commitment to customer service and their responsiveness to the needs of their dealers is the true key.

Whenever we have a need, we are treated as if we are their only customer.” — Bill Fletcher Owner, Closet Designs & More

“We chose to make Organizers Direct our primary vendor — and we’re so glad we made that decision. We began reaping the rewards almost immediately.

Our overstock began dropping because we could order in smaller quantities … Neil, Jane, Jan and Mike and the rest of their team are awesome!”

— Brooke Peterson President, The Closet Guy

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