Business Matters

By Rebecca Barrett

Kober’s Interiors president Jill Kelly remembers how easy it was when her parents handed over the family’s Beaverton interiors business to the second generation.

“When my dad was ready to retire, everything was running smoothly,” Kelly said.

Founder George Koeber circled a date on the calendar, announcing to his three children that it would be his last. When the date arrived, Koeber walked away with confidence.

“We were able to get him to do a couple of measurements out of town, down at the beach or in Bend if he could play a round of golf while he was there,” Kelly recalled. “He hardly looked back.”

Koebers Interiors has indeed thrived, adding new services and expanding its store. As Koebers celebrates its 60^th anniversary, preparation is underway to transition to third-generation ownership as Kelly’s two daughters enter management and leadership roles.

“We’re doing a little bit more strategic planning,” Kelly said. “In the next few years, we hope to step back and let them take off.”

Koeber’s Interiors’ succession planning and transfer of ownership is why the company was selected as the winner for Generational Development in Oregon State University’s Center for Family Enterprise’s 2023 Excellence in Family Business Awards.

The ease of the first transition reflects how the second generation grew up in the family business. When they were children, Kelly and her brother and sister would play in the warehouse, climbing on rolls of carpet padding.

“I would pretend like I’m in an office and answer phones and take messages and orders,” Kelly said. “I grew up thinking that what they do is pretty cool.”

It took working at a daycare first to convince her to join the family business. George and Jaci Koeber started their children at entry level positions and expected them to work their way up.

“We were exposed to a lot of hard work from my parents,” recalled Jerry Koeber, vice president of floor covering. “They really put in their hours.”

Jerry Koeber said he learned the value of being a business owner and working toward success alongside his dad on installations. Doing the right thing and customer service became ingrained.

“It’s a part of what we do that really can’t be directly taught as much as just learning through exposure,” Jerry Koeber said.

The youngest of the siblings, Jaann Hoisington, company accountant, recalled how it seemed that her parents were always working. It’s where she learned a strong work ethic.

“It gave us a good foundation and set an example of what the company needed,” Hoisington said.  

She also saw how happy her parents were as business owners, creating friendships with their customers and area dealers.

“It’s just a real happy environment,” Hoisington said. “What we sell here, you can buy anywhere. But to have the customer service and professional installations really sets us apart from everywhere else that you can buy our products.”

Sisters Georgie Funk and Jenna Kelly have come to work for the family business much like the generation before them.

“I came here as a baby, so I’ve really been here my entire life,” Georgie Funk said.

These days, her role is in marketing and operations. But everyone at Koebers wears quite a few hats. Her dad, Chris Kelly, primarily does window coverings, installations and sales. Jeannine Koeber, married to Jerry Koeber, works in sales and in the office. Jenna Kelly does blinds and sales.

Everyone in the family enjoys interacting with customers. For three generations, honesty, quality products and outstanding customer service have set Koebers apart.

When Jenna Kelly was younger, she used to greet people at customer appreciation events. As she was finishing her accounting degree, she debated working as a certified public accountant or for the family business. She came back to staff an appreciation event and was talking to customers and listening to what they said.

“I remember a light bulb moment,” Jenna Kelly said. “We’re doing something great here.”