We sit down with founder and owner of Kleur Space, Matt, to get the low down on kleur, the kleur collection and why he decided to forge his own way.
Founder of Kleur Space, Matt, Putting Together the Kleur Collection.
1. Matthew, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview. So, let’s start from the beginning – what inspired you to start Kleur Space? Was there a defining moment or an underlying passion that led you to this venture?
Hey Willow, it is always a treat to chat with you. Inspiration for Kleur Space you ask? In a nutshell, Kleur was born out of a desire to go against the grain of where the industry seems to be headed. It lacks a sense of soul, driven by price and volume – which is not my cup of tea. I realised that if I was going to pour my heart and soul into building a company that would see me through the rest of my working career, then it needed to be on a solid foundation. It had to be more than just a profit-driven venture; it needed to be fun, fulfilling, and meaningful.
Kleur, in essence, is a restart button. You know that feeling when your phone starts glitching, and the best solution is to turn it off and reboot it? Well, that’s kind of what Kleur represents in the context of my career and my hopeful stamp on the industry.
Our journey with Kleur began shortly after the COVID era, and I envision it as a journey that will continue indefinitely. When you’re in the realm of creativity and innovation, there’s no such thing as a final destination. It’s a limitless pursuit, a perpetual quest to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible.
So, my aim is; that in a world where the industry tends to follow a predictable path, Kleur stands as a testament to the belief that there’s always room for authenticity, creativity, and a bit of rebellion. It’s a journey with no limits, and I’m excited to see where it takes us!
2. Opening a business like Kleur Space requires determination and a strong driving force. Can you share with us what motivated you to take the leap, and turn your defining moment or passion into a reality?
You’re absolutely right; it’s a question that cuts to the core of what drives me. For me, it all comes down to a moment, which is forever locked in my memory; when I received what I can only describe as divine confirmation. It was as though God himself was sending me a clear signal that this was the path I was meant to tread.
It was a moment that not only validated my aspirations but also came with a promise: that no matter how challenging this path might be, I wouldn’t be walking it alone. Knowing that I had this divine backing, this unwavering support, was all the motivation I needed to take the leap.
It’s often in these moments of profound connection and clarity that we find the strength to pursue our dreams. That singular encounter became the bedrock on which I built the foundation of Kleur. It’s a constant reminder that, in spite of the challenges and uncertainties, I am on the right path, and that is an incredible source of motivation.
3. Starting a company from scratch is no small feat. Did you have any mentors or supporters who played a significant role in guiding you along the way? We’d love to hear about the people who have influenced and helped you shape Kleur into what it is today.
So, even though we’ve essentially started from scratch, launching a new company, it’s not completely new to me, as it’s still within the same industry which made the move a bit easier. Having over 18 years of experience in the decorative coatings game has been a tremendous help. But its true strength lies in the people who’ve been a part of this journey, and there are honestly too many to name individually.
First and foremost, my wife, Natalie, has been an unwavering source of support and faith in me. Her boundless belief makes me feel like the word ‘impossible’ holds no place in our dictionary.
Each and every one of my staff members, who are not just employees but my extended family. Their contributions have been nothing short of remarkable. Not only have they offered invaluable insights, but they’ve also taken the operational reins, allowing me the space to infuse a bit of Kleur into our often grey world.
A special shoutout goes to Werner Schmidt and his team at Sabre – our exclusive manufacture – who have exceeded my expectations in terms of collaboration. It’s been a true breath of fresh air to partner with like-minded individuals who share our vision.
Willow, the one and only… You have been the creativity behind all things Kleur.
Marc, your belief in me and strategic assistance have been instrumental in our journey.
But, above all, I give the highest glory to my saviour, Jesus Christ. It’s through His grace and guidance that I’ve found the strength and inspiration to embark on this path and continue pushing boundaries.
4. The journey to success is often filled with both challenges and triumphs. Could you share some of the challenges you encountered when launching Kleur and how you managed to overcome them?
They say that gold is refined by fire, and we’ve had some moments where the heat was intense ek sê… Hotter than Addo in Summer. But, as you say, these challenges are an integral part of the path we’ve chosen, and we’ve never been one to shy away from them.
You can imagine when you start over, the mountain ahead of you looks impossible to climb. There were days when it felt like I was trying to swallow an entire elephant with just a half-filled glass of mampoor. Thankfully, I’ve been blessed with a large support system, with podcast voice notes flying back and forth. Throughout it all, I knew I was never alone but part of a collection of wonderful humans.
Speaking of dreams, I must mention the Kleur Collection colour range. These colours weren’t born overnight; they emerged from countless hours of dedication and hard work. What started as fun soon transformed into one heck of a task as we sifted through thousands of colour choices. In the end, we carefully curated a premium selection of 184 winners, a process that undoubtedly added a few grey hairs to everyone involved. It truly took a village to bring these colours to life.
One of the most significant challenges we faced was finding moments of stillness and away from distractions, to ensure that every move we made and every shade we chose truly embodied the essence of Kleur. It was a process that demanded a deep dive into the heart of creativity and a collective commitment to thinking “Kleurly.”
5. It’s evident that authenticity and passion are at the core of Kleur’s identity. Can you tell us more about how these values have influenced your approach to business and customer service?
For those who know me, they’ll tell you one thing for sure – I’m all about passion. I mean, I’m passionate about the things I hold dear in life: my faith, my family, and my friends – they’re always right up there at the top of my list.
But it’s in the world of business that I get to enjoy these things even more. My passion for my craft is like a flame that just won’t quit. Not even when those wild gale force westerly we know too well can put a damper on it!
When it comes to Kleur, we’ve built this thing on some solid values, such as transparency, trust, reliability, authenticity, and a few more in the mix. We’re not out here trying to take over the world; we’re on a mission to be our absolute best at serving our clients in every way we can.
6. Kleur is all about delivering top-notch products that stand the test of time. Can you take us behind the scenes and share your process of selecting the best products for your customers?
I can’t exactly give you the backstage tour, but here’s the scoop – our network of suppliers, well, they’re just plain lekker. There’s no other way to put it. These folks are like-minded, oozing integrity, and they’re cut from the same cloth as us when it comes to doing business, with nothing but pure 100% transparency.
And when I say the Kleur team, it’s not just about the folks you see in our stores. Nope, it stretches far beyond that, a tight-knit community of individuals all working together towards a common goal.
7. Building a business is an ever-evolving journey. What are some of your future goals and aspirations for Kleur? Any exciting plans you’d like to share with our readers?
Wise words… It’s a journey we’re treating like one epic road trip with your family and your best mates. It’s all about savouring every moment along the way, and we’re keeping a few surprises up our sleeves. After all, we don’t want to spill the beans too early.
But here’s the deal: When you throw down the gauntlet and challenge the best in the business to up their game, you can only imagine the incredible results that start to unfold. It’s like pushing the pedal to the metal on this wild ride, and we’re all in for the adventure.
8. Before we wrap up, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who dream of starting their own company or business?
As I type these answers, I find myself at the Nevermind Restaurant in Cape St Francis, surrounded by views that are nothing short of breathtaking. It’s moments like these that remind me of what truly matters.
Now, if I were to offer some advice to the young entrepreneurs out there, it would go something like this: Don’t make it all about the money. I mean, seriously, you’ve got your whole life ahead of you to chase that paper. Instead, do it for the purpose, the joy, and the profound sense of accomplishment that comes from climbing your way from the bottom to the top. And let me tell you, the view from the top is always worth it, no matter what that ‘top’ looks like for you.
But here’s a crucial piece of the puzzle – take those around you along for the ride. They’re not stepping stones; they’re your family, your support system, and your partners in this wild journey. Be kind to yourself and to them, because that’s where the real richness of life resides.
Make sure you carve out time to savour what truly matters. Time, my friend, is the most precious currency we have, and it’s what I work relentlessly to achieve. So, in the midst of chasing your dreams, never forget to pause, breathe, and enjoy the journey itself.
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