Search for ‘better way’ leads to Custom Home Solutions

Sherman and Anne Leibow own Custom Home Solutions.

Five years ago, Anne Leibow was confronted with a pressing problem: her mother found her house no longer was compatible with her limited physical capabilities, and she was left with no choice but to relocate to an elder care facility. That left Leibow wondering if there was a better way.

So the search began for a business opportunity that would satisfy a growing need for people in their older years to maintain their independence and stay in their homes longer. Finally, last May, Leibow and her husband Sherman were able to acquire the southern Idaho dealership for Best Bath Systems.

They are distributing the systems through a business called Custom Home Solutions and have a showroom at 480 E. Franklin Road in Meridian.

Founded in the Treasure Valley, and with its recently relocated production facility in Caldwell, Best Bath is a nationally distributed manufacturer of bath and shower units used in both residential and commercial new construction and remodels. The manufacturer’s fastest-growing niche has been in producing accessible bathing systems for people with limited physical capabilities.

The showroom previously was owned by a local plumbing contractor and was under a different name. Leibow says one of the challenges in taking the business over will be to eliminate the perception that there still is any direct connection to that specific contractor.

She is excited to shift the focus of the business. “We’re marketers, not contractors,” Leibow explained, “and we want to work with the local contractor community. … It’s a totally different approach than what was being taken before.”

The Leibows have owned and operated another distribution company for nearly five years. While Anne runs the day-to-day operations of Custom Home Solutions, Sherman provides support in marketing and strategic direction. They both have backgrounds in event planning and marketing communications, which has provided very beneficial experience in launching Custom Home Solutions.

“If you can do something yourself to save money, and you think you can do it well, then by all means do it; but on the other hand, be smart enough to know that you can’t do everything, and hire help when you need it. That’s an important lesson,” Sherman said.

The couple has found support in each other, and they recognize that it wouldn’t be easy to go it alone. They also say the support and experience of their friends and business associates has proven helpful.

One means by which the couple has decided to brand and market Custom Home Solutions is by utilizing social media. Anne feels it is important for a business to find the trends of the times to be successful and thrust your business to the forefront.

The Leibows are in the process of building a presence for Custom Home Solutions on Twitter and Facebook. “If used properly, social media can really expand your reach without the cost of traditional advertising,” Anne said. “If you’re succeeding in social media, it’s because other people are talking favorably about you.”

She feels that even if they aren’t reaching their target market through this form of communication, they are at least reaching the children and grandchildren of the baby boomers, who care about the well-being and independence of the older members of their families.

“It’s essential to long-term business success that if you’re selling something, you have to believe 100 percent in what you’re selling, and you have to believe 100 percent in what you’re doing,” Sherman said.

One of the lessons Anne says she learned is to persevere “in your search for the right opportunity.” Even though it took several years to identify this opportunity, now that it has come along, the Leibows have the experience, commitment and courage to do big things with Custom Home Solutions.

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3 Responses to “Search for ‘better way’ leads to Custom Home Solutions”

1. Chris Blanchard Says:
   August 27th, 2010 at 12:18 pm

   Good job Sherm and Anne!

2. Dannea Aylsworth Says:
   August 27th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

   Congratulations! The chamber wishes you continued success.

3. Kirsten Dion Says:
   October 12th, 2010 at 2:52 pm

   HI Sherman and Anne.
   So glad to read this. What a great thing to do.
   Wish you all the best.
   Kirsten Dion