What is our place in history? As we near completion of the Founder’s Conference Room in our Christiansburg showroom, we have been reflecting on our past as a company. The nucleus of our company for 53 years was our founder, Ken Rakes. He held court in his office in downtown Christiansburg for most of that time. Sometimes he took his business to Hardees, Country Kitchen, or the golf course; but it was still “business
”. Our visionary had humble beginnings and was also an industrious family man. He took a leap of faith with his young family when he accepted the risk and shouldered the responsibility that came with the American dream of owning your own business. Fifty-five years later, Ken’s dream has become reality as you can clearly see his faith, his work, and his dreams in Ideal Cabinets. As we work toward dedicating Ken’s former office space as a conference room to house future creativity and vision, we want to pay homage to the history that has brought our business to this place.
A history timeline has been created that will be displayed on the wall of this new conference room outlining Ideal’s past. It will be the bedrock that reminds us of where we have been, and the possibilities that are to come. Pat Rakes, Ken’s son, is dedicated to continuing to shape and mold Ideal Cabinets to be a legacy business. He wants to continue operating Ideal for many years. He wants Ideal to be part of the community’s identity and culture where our showrooms are located. Pat is dedicated to preserving the legacy of his father and Ideal Cabinets. This is made possible by Ideal’s incredible staff and subcontractors. Pat says that collectively “they are talented, dependable, loyal, and demonstrate character. It is through their participation in our company’s history that Ideal’s future is bright. Ken created the model that Ideal Cabinets continues to follow to this day; a quality product, a fair price, exceptional customer service, and a product that adds value and happiness to clients’ lives. At Ideal Cabinets, we strive for history to repeat itself.”
