The credit for Matt Kuehlhorn’s nickname, “The Kooler,” goes to Chad Zummach. The name was handed out by teams in the Gentlemen’s Beer League when Zummach, the commissioner bestowed it upon Kuehlhorn.

Truth be told, as the story goes, Kuehlhorn, aka, The Kooler, was an exceptionally mediocre hockey player. But he was good at painting, so when he was looking for a name, Kooler presented itself again and Kooler Garage Doors was born.

It was a time of transition for Kuehlhorn, who after working for a non-profit organization in drug prevention, saw an opportunity to paint a spec home. After one opportunity led to another, Kuehlhorn’s first painting project came to fruition.

We sat down with him to get his insights on the world of residential construction today.

What’s your industry story?

I’m a Midwestern kid—Chicago and Traverse City, Michigan. I arrived in Colorado to finish school and found experiential education guided me for years. I jumped in as a garage door installer for about a year in the mid 2000s and enjoyed it. Fast forward to 2015 and I started a painting company by mistake, and then went after garage doors. Things grew quickly.

Give us a snapshot on your company?

We started in 2015 without a dime and grew to seven figures in under three years with garage doors and painting. We moved locations into a larger market, honing in on the new school home services model. We were not focused on new construction, but on serving the homeowner.

What trends are you seeing in the residential construction market today?

Right now, what’s trending is private equity and technology.

How are they shaping the industry?

Drastically. The money and wealth coming into residential construction is real. COVID showcased that trades were “essential” which shifted an immense flow of value. This causes rising prices and rising expectations—homeowners are more educated and the “chuck in the truck” stereotype is not the main game being played. Companies are branding, adopting technologies and stepping up service with customers massively.

Are trends like sustainable and energy-efficient homes influencing building decisions today?

Maybe. I see the reach for this and building codes constantly shifting. High R and lower U values are seen in garage door manufacturing and more and more homeowners are recognizing the value in insulated garage doors.

What are the biggest challenges you’re facing in the building trade today?

Educating customers. Today, they have choices. Choices in who services them, why various providers are different and how to navigate through the noise.

What does the labor pool look like? How are you attracting and retaining skilled workers for your projects?

I think the labor pool is more healthy than most people think it is. Companies must invest in training systems in order to bring people on and this is a huge component often being overlooked.

How do you see the role of technology evolving in your corner of the residential construction sector?

AI (artificial intelligence) will help streamline customer service—with AI voice, text, emails and overall communication—this will be seamless in 18 months or less and customers don’t know if they’re speaking with an AI agent or a human.

How do you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new building materials and techniques?

Constantly learn and study. Get to trade shows and keep an eye up to watch for trends—or create them and share what works.

What advice would you give to homeowners looking to embark on a new construction or renovation project?

Talk to several builders and folks who have built. Recognize there are many choices and options and the cheapest will always be the cheapest—the value is found in relatability, communication and service. Dig for this in all providers.

Can you share a story about the uniqueness of the project you have worked on? What made it stand out?

The project we worked on with Haas was unique as it was the first set of their Plank Design Doors to go into Western Colorado. They fit the customer profile and design requirements and it was a beautiful full send.

What do you believe is the future of residential construction?

More automation, more service of humans and more options for customers.

How are you preparing your business to meet those changes?

Adopting automations as they make sense so we can serve humans best.

One-on-One with… Kooler Garage Doors’ Matt Kuehlhorn

Describe a typical day.

Up at four AM and into the cold plunge. Coffee with my bride and off to the gym, then sauna. At the shop with the team before 8 to pump the day—then there is nothing typical—I may be online and focused on the computer in conversations, system building, or side by side with my team in training and producing.

As the end of day nears, I’ll make a family dinner happen occasionally. I strive to see my kids for a few days in the morning and evening even as we are all busy—then settle for a night’s rest before 9 to prepare myself for the next day.

What’s the biggest item on your to-do list?

Currently, it’s to streamline our sales process. How might we make homeownership a little easier?

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

My team. I love seeing my team gel and win. I love seeing my team members grow. It’s an amazing gift.

What was the best advice you ever received?

Everything I ever want is on the other side of hard.

What’s the best thing a client ever said to you?

“Thank you.” With a smile. It fills me up everytime.