Today we’d like to introduce you to Milan Markovic.
Hi Milan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was originally born in Ex-Yugoslavia. When the civil war broke out, my family and I had to leave our country in order to stay alive. We then moved to Germany where we spent the next six years. I attended school there and my father pursued his passion for (kitchen & bath) design. Once the war in our country reached its conclusion, the German government asked all the refugees to seek asylum elsewhere or simply go back to our country. Going back wasn’t an option and we applied to move to the USA, where we were received with open arms. As I was wrapping up my college education at UCF, my father was in the process of leaving Lowe’s Home Improvement. He was one of their top kitchen designers nationwide and decided it was time to branch out and do a business of his own. He asked me if I wanted to join the corporate world following my graduation or if I was interested in running the business for him and with him. The answer was simple: Family owned business it is. We opened the company in early 2007, only to be followed by the recession, which swept through the country and destroyed businesses in our industry like a wildfire. Luckily, we were able to pull through it and remain in business, which has only made us stronger and made us appreciate it all that much more.
We have now been in business for over 14 years and have added my brother to the company as well (shortly after he graduated college). The three of us run the office and wear many “different hats” as we go through our daily operations. The rest of the work is sub-contracted out to a hand-selected group of amazing individuals who have become an extended family to us. Our success is their success and we can proudly say we have become one of the top-rated remodeling companies in Central Florida with our joint effort and passion for the work we do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth. Opening in 2007 meant the recession followed quickly in 2008. Months went by where we couldn’t pay ourselves any wages in order to keep the doors open. We were willing to make that sacrifice as we saw the bigger picture: make it through these times and we can make it through anything. Luckily, our attention to detail and the pursuit of perfection allowed us to continue working through the rough times and we persevered. When the recent pandemic occurred, we had to close for 1 1/2 months, but this time we were ready for it and were well established to the point where we had reserves set aside to keep the company afloat despite being closed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Zelmar Kitchen Designs and More?
The company is called Zelmar Kitchen Designs & More, LLC. We specialize in selling high-end-looking products and services but at an affordable price point. We only carry products and services that we have hand-selected and personally believe in. A lot of the products clients see in our showroom, they can find in our own homes as well.
We focus on cabinets and countertops, but if clients purchase that, we also branch out into flooring and other aspects of the job where we can help and guide you by essentially becoming the one-stop-shop for it all. Whatever we do not sell, we still tell our clients where to go and get it and our licensed and professional installers take care of the rest. We are proud to be a family business that caters to each client individually and makes sure their remodel experience goes as smooth and anxiety-free as possible. It’s a hands-on approach as we guide each client from point A to point Z. The client receives a detailed schedule and all they do is follow along.
What makes you happy?
Working with family and essentially being our own bosses makes the process feel less of work but more of a place we all enjoy going to each day. I recently got engaged and we have decided to add my fiance to the company as well, just furthermore embedding the family aspect and values into our work. You only get one life so make sure to spend it with the people that matter the most.
Contact Info:
- Email: zelmardesigns@yahoo.com
- Website: https://zelmarkitchendesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zelmardesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZelmarKD
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/zelmar-kitchen-designs-and-more-llc-pfvwus-pf~595921158?
Image Credits
All images were taken by Zelmar Kitchen Designs
