Jerry Hoeppner has been blessed to live in the Lake Country Area his entire life. Their home is always bustling with everyday activities, centered around their 6-year-old, who brings joy and laughter to their lives. Although their other children have moved out and have their own places, there is solace in the memories they’ve built together under one roof.
The family business, Exterior Motives LLC, has been a cornerstone of their livelihood. They specialize in selling and installing window treatments for both residential and commercial settings. He and his son are actively involved in the day-to-day operations, ensuring that customers’ needs are met with the utmost care and professionalism. Meanwhile, his wife diligently handles the administrative tasks, managing records and ensuring taxes are paid promptly from the comfort of their home office.
Since 1996, they have resided in Ottawa, a peaceful location that offers the best of both worlds- the beauty of the countryside and the convenience of modern living. Their home is a sanctuary where they can unwind, whether gazing at the stars from the fire pit or enjoying the refreshing pool during warmer months. It truly is a great place to call home.
About Jerry Hoeppner
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Our family is a lively bunch, filled with love and cherished memories. With five children spanning different age ranges- 36, 33, 29, 24, and our youngest at 6- we have experienced the joys and challenges of parenting across different generations. Alongside our children, we share our home with our beloved furry companions: a dog named Dollie and two cats named Kitty and Kit Kat. Currently, one of the highlights of our family life is watching our youngest child take her first steps into the world of baseball at Ottawa Park. While we may not know if she will become a baseball superstar, in our eyes, she is already a superstar, bringing immeasurable happiness and pride to our lives.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
As the proud owner of Exterior Motives LLC, a window treatment company, I have the privilege of offering an extensive range of high-quality products, including renowned brands like Graber. I personally engage with customers, visiting them in person to understand their needs and preferences. By providing them with samples and expert advice, I strive to ensure they make informed decisions about their window treatments. Drawing on my extensive experience, I offer competitive quotes that align with their budget and requirements.
Prior to starting my own business, I dedicated nearly 21 years of my career as the Director of Environmental Services at Three Pillars, a role that I cherished and enjoyed immensely. However, in my pursuit of furthering my small business, I decided to semi-retire and focus on its growth. To my delight, the business had flourished beyond my wildest expectations in just five short months. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness the progress and success of a venture that I have poured my heart and soul into.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is the opportunity to meet new people every day. Whether I’m visiting customers in their homes or interacting with professionals at their workplaces, the diverse range of individuals I encounter keeps my job exciting and dynamic. From collaborating with contractors and architects to partnering with interior designers, I value the chance to engage with industry experts and learn from their perspectives. Additionally, connecting with homeowners allows me to understand their unique tastes, preferences, and requirements, enabling me to provide personalized and tailored solutions. Building relationships with clients and colleagues alike is a source of great joy and fulfillment, as I thrive on the connections and interactions that come with my role.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Realizing to not be afraid of the future, just do it! Life may not be greener on the other side of the fence but if you don’t check it out one will never know. It’s easy to get comfortable and assume that life may not be better elsewhere, but by taking that leap of faith and exploring new possibilities, we open ourselves up to a world of untapped potential. Instead of being held back by uncertainty, we can choose to adopt a proactive approach. Acknowledging that unless we venture beyond our comfort zones, we’ll never truly discover what lies on the other side.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
The satisfaction of our customers is truly gratifying, especially when we witness their happiness upon completion of a job. Seeing the joy and appreciation in their eyes as they admire their newly installed Graber Shades is a testament to our commitment to quality and customer service. It’s also incredibly rewarding to run into customers years later and hear them express their ongoing love and satisfaction with the products we provided.
Another source of fulfillment is watching my son step into my shoes and take care of the business, ensuring its continuity and securing a future for our company. It’s a testament to our family’s legacy and the values we have instilled.
And let’s not forget the simple joys of parenthood- watching my 6-year-old daughter enthusiastically running the bases during her game, even if she hit a foul ball. It’s moments like these that remind us of the preciousness of family, the delight in small victories, and the importance of cherishing the journey, no matter the outcome.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
Looking ahead, my vision for the future includes taking a step back from the day-to-day operations of the business and enjoying more leisure time. I envision a future where I can confidently entrust my son with running the business, allowing me to take a well-deserved break and savor the rewards of my hard work. This shift will not only provide me with the opportunity to recharge and focus on personal interests but also allow me to take pride in watching my son take the helm and continue the legacy we have built together. It’s a future that brings a sense of peace and contentment, knowing that the business is in capable hands while I embrace the joy of spending quality time with my loved ones and pursuing new adventures.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Running a business certainly involves risks, but it also presents countless opportunities for success and growth. To navigate this path effectively, it’s crucial to make sound judgment calls based on careful consideration and analysis. Understanding your audience is key; taking the time to get to know their needs, preferences, and pain points allows you to tailor your products or services accordingly. Building trust and maintaining strong relationships with customers and clients is paramount. Honesty and transparency should be the foundation of your interactions, ensuring open communication and fostering long-term loyalty.
Jerry Hoeppner & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
Fishing during the winter or summer is great out here, there are so many opportunities. Wintertime snow skiing is a must, I started skiing when I was 9 and still doing it at 61 and more years to come.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
There are many people that I have met, some of them are our local past and present Fire Chief’s, each one of them I became acquainted with because of working at Three Pillars. Some of them I still meet with for lunch or breakfast. Our community that we live in is so peaceful.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Beautiful, Peaceful, Plentiful.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a workaholic.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
Not too into all that, but there is a song written about the disease, Panda’s, has some harsh words in the song but really tells the story of what Panda’s is, written by REN, called Hi Ren.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My mom, she is almost 83 years young. She always sends me a email, just about daily, telling me in so many words that she loves me. I am her shining son.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
If I were to have a cocktail it would have to be a Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet, if a beer Miller High Life, the Champagne of Beers.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
Jim, my neighbor, hunting buddy, horseshoe partner, best friend. He passed many years ago. I think every time we got together, which was often, we laughed and never stopped talking, there was always a subject!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I think I fulfilled everything, or at this time I just forgot…
Q: What makes you the happiest?
My family when they are all together, whether they are talking or not…
Where to Find Jerry Hoeppner
Email: exteriormotivesllc@gmail.com
Phone: (262) 965-4655
