When owners, Allison Kellogg and Ben Kellogg, decided to open Appliance Solutions in Michigan, they wanted to build a business that felt organized, professional, and approachable from the start. With a team of just four people and a startup budget, they needed a system that could handle everything in one place without requiring extra staff or complicated workarounds.
After connecting with our team through a recommendation from Craig Budzik at ADC, Allison scheduled an introductory call. She remembers it felt relaxed and genuine, simply a chance to explore ideas. But as soon as she and her husband Ben learned about our Complete Business Management System, they felt it was the right fit. “After talking with Noah, we were automatically hooked,” Allison recalled. “We both looked at it and said, ‘We have to do this.”
Choosing the Right Implementation Path
One of their first big decisions was how to handle the implementation. For some retailers, on-site implementation feels like the best choice because of the hands-on guidance. But for Allison and her team, remote onboarding made more sense. “We’re a small team, so having the option to do training when it worked for us was really important,” she said.
Their training followed HomeSource’s remote implementation track, which combines a library of in-depth LMS (learning management system) videos with regularly scheduled Zoom workshops and demos. Allison appreciated that the training videos were thorough but flexible. “The videos were fantastic,” she said. “They were long, but that was a good thing. If I got sidetracked, I could always go back.”
Built-in Support from Start to Finish
Allison worked closely with Colleen Gale, our project manager, who helped guide the rollout from the very first call. “Colleen always kept me on schedule with what we needed to get done,” Allison said. “It felt like someone was there with us the whole way, making sure nothing got missed.”
From Colleen’s perspective, the Appliance Solutions team stood out for their preparation and engagement. “They were responsive to every email, attended all demos and workshops, and came with thoughtful questions,” Colleen said. “They took the process seriously and it showed.”
As implementation moved into go-live prep, Lou Maroney, our implementation specialist, stepped in. “My communication with them started at the workshop phase,” Lou shared. “From that point forward, we had three sessions, and then they’d call me directly if they needed anything. They were attentive and proactive—just a great group to work with.”
Lou also noted that their learning style made a big difference. “They didn’t just ask, ‘How do I do this?’ They’d say, ‘Here’s the issue, and here’s what we’ve already tried.’ That made it clear they were really digging into the system.”
Launching with Confidence
By the time go-live week arrived, Allison and her team felt ready. Having access to Lou and the rest of the team gave them peace of mind during the final handoff. “That direct support was huge,” Allison said. “It helped us feel confident and ready.”
Since launching, Appliance Solutions has noticed significant improvements in how their day-to-day operations run. Allison described how easy it is to create quotes, email them to customers, and keep every invoice consistent. Searching inventory and sending surveys now takes just seconds. “It’s all so actionable,” she said. “And it’s easy. Everything just works the way you expect it to.”
A Model for Remote Success
For other retailers weighing their own implementation options, Allison’s experience highlights a few things worth considering. Smaller teams often appreciate the flexibility of remote onboarding, since it allows everyone to learn at a comfortable pace without taking too much time away from daily operations. A clear timeline and consistent follow-ups are essential for keeping momentum. And perhaps most important, having responsive support you can count on makes a big difference in feeling confident as you launch.
Today, Appliance Solutions uses HomeSource’s POS, RPS, e-commerce tools, and HS Pay to run their business from end to end. Allison says she’s already seeing the benefits of having everything under one system. “Overall, it’s been a great experience,” she said. “I’m excited and already seeing the difference.”
Whether you’re opening a new store or upgrading how your business operates, the way you implement your system matters. Allison’s story shows that with the right support and a plan that fits your team, remote implementation can be not only practical but surprisingly empowering.
To explore more about our implementation process and options visit here.
