Get Your Car Back in Your Garage:

Let HouseWall Garage System Help

by Patricia Schaefer

According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics on Characteristics of New Housing released June 2006, 91 percent of new one-family houses completed in 2005 had garages, this up from a mere 57 percent in 1971. Additionally, the dimensions of this nation's garages have grown as well: In 1971, three-car garages were virtually nonexistent; in 2005, over 92 percent of new homes built with garages were big enough to accommodate multiple cars, one-quarter of those for three-cars or more.

Ironically, in spite of more and bigger garages, many Americans are increasingly turning their garages into unintended storage areas; no longer able to use their garage for its true purpose -- to house and protect their cars. Considering this fact and the $1 billion worth of damage to vehicles from the recent onslaught of hurricanes -- plus predictions of major hurricanes increasing in the years ahead -- more and more consumers are seeking to clean up their disorganized messy garages and get their cars back where they belong.

It was, in fact, HouseWall Garage System's founder and CEO Michael Dagen's own messy garage -- and his wife's pleas for him to clean it up -- that sparked the idea for his garage organization and beautification business. Having spent most of his career in the storage and fixture industry, Dagen came up with the clutter-busting concept for HouseWall:  "transforming disorderly, embarrassing 'clutter zones' into neatly organized havens for cars, lawn-care, sports and other household equipment."

Michael Dagen, Founder, HouseWall Garage System

With his business idea firmly in place in 2002, Dagen listened to the words of his father -- "Loose lips sink ships" -- and spent the first two years getting patents and trademarks registered before HouseWall Garage began selling its products in 2004. HouseWall manufactures most of their system's elements, and Dagen underscores the crucial importance of businesses protecting their intellectual property: "If you have a great idea, keep it to yourself and once you are fully protected, announce it to the world."

Working closely with its customers, HouseWall organization specialists use a unique software program to draw a sketch of the homeowner's garage on-the-spot and map out how they can customize the homeowner's garage for maximum efficiency. At the core of the HouseWall products is signature paneling added as the new 'face' of the garage interior. This water-resistant paneling offers a grooved surface from which hooks, shelves, racks, steel-reinforced cabinets and custom-designed accessories are added according to each consumer's individual needs.

Before HouseWall Garage System installation

After HouseWall Garage System installation

Once installed, the HouseWall paneling provides a way for a variety of items such as sporting equipment, gardening tools, old collectibles, etc., to be organized and off the floor -- but always in reach. To complete the transformation of the 'room,' a durable and stain-resistant flooring is added to create the base of the new garage.

Experiencing tremendous success the first two years of his new garage renovation business, Dagan and HouseWall Garage System began offering franchises in 2006. Today Dagen says they have one corporate location, 7 franchises, "with 75 [franchises] in the pipeline -- and growing!"

And to what does Dagen attribute their success?

"Routinely, we have people come up to us and say, 'I see you guys everywhere!' In addition to our quality product, HouseWall's ability to network with the local communities has greatly contributed to our success. Our creativity and widespread advertising elements create awareness for HouseWall in the local markets and we network with a variety of organizations -- from raising money for local public schools to attending meetings at the Rotary clubs. All of these various grassroots outreaches are a key element to our success and reputation."

Customers have let HouseWall know just how enthusiastic they are about the finished results. "An organized garage is better than jewelry," and "We practically live in our garage now," are just a few of the comments satisfied customers have made. They also frequently tell HouseWall that their organization system not only organizes the garage, but also allows the garage to stay clean and functional.

Dagen says his company prides itself on the fact that they are improving people's lives by allowing them to "get their car back in the garage." He says an organized garage can make a tremendous impact on the function and appearance of a home and allow homeowners to protect one of their most expensive assets -- their vehicle.

This Florida-headquartered company is seeking out franchisees, says Dagen, "who will get out there and sell and market our product; someone who understands that we have a special product and they have to tell everyone about it. The beauty of our program is that a potential franchisee could be a CFO, a salesman, a retired couple, a mother, a contractor -- anybody who believes in the ability of grassroots marketing and is not afraid to interact with the local community."

"HouseWall Garage System is a smart franchise choice," offers Dagen, "because of the low start-up costs, easy product development (only 41 skus) and a strong emphasis on community outreach and helping others."

To find out more about HouseWall Garage System and/or their franchising opportunities, go to http://www.housewall.com/.