Phil Kinder

What’s the best part about working in the kitchen and bath remodeling industry, according to you?

The interactions we get to have with coworkers and the relationships we build with our clients is one of the most enjoyable aspects of working in the industry. Also getting to see the project from start to finish is another reason I love my role at CTKB.

What inspired you to pursue a career in kitchen and bath remodeling?

I’ve been involved in multiple aspects of construction, remodeling, and painting since before I graduated high school. I happened to have a knack for tinkering and working with my hands so it makes sense that I’d end up in this role.

What are a few of your favorite things?

I’ve always been a big fan of reading, mostly history and science fiction. I also do a lot of gaming and love the story telling that creators are able to explore in a space that we cannot experience every day.

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?

Although fairly adventurous in my personal life through different sports and recreational activities, I’d say either returning to college after my son was born, or leaving the corporate world and returning to the construction/remodeling industry were some of the bigger risks I’ve taken.

Share a funny or memorable incident that happened during one of your renovation projects.

So many good times on different projects, it’s hard to nail down just one. The painting staff loves to goof off and we are often heard laughing for some reason or another. Usually it’s over something ridiculous that has been said.

Do you have family or pets?

I do. I have a 13 year old name Liam and a dog named Nibbler. Though I prefer to call her Nibbs or Nibbie.

What do you do for fun in your spare time?

Depends on the season, but I am involved in a number of sports and I enjoy mountain biking in the Spring and Summer. Usually I hunker down in the living room to play a new game during the Winter months.

What’s your favorite tradition or holiday and why?

I’d say I enjoy Halloween the most though it’s mostly the days leading up to it. Other than that, the Kinder family Christmas eve party is generally one of the most fun days of the year. Though the CTKB Christmas party closely rivals it.

What is your favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

We’ve got a ton of beautiful history in St. Louis and you can see that almost everywhere you drive. There’s always an old building or piece of history to research and learn about. I love exploring new parts of the city and also the various hiking/biking trails located all over.

How long have you been in the kitchen and bath industry?

I’ve been with CTKB for almost three years now but have worked on the tertiary of K&B remodeling nearly all my life. Over six years at Sherwin-Williams and another three to four years in construction on and off in a varying capacity.

What’s one interesting fact about kitchen and bath remodeling that most people might not know?

I think there’s a lot of nuance to the industry in general. It’s amazing just how many products are available at different levels. And everything that goes into the project.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job, and why does it matter to you?

I think like most people, the most rewarding part is being called out for a job well done by your clients. If you are in a slump, it really goes a long way to hear good feedback after we have completed a project.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

For a while there, I had this mindset that perfection could be the only outcome. And I recently heard the phrase that perfection is the enemy of good and that really resonated with me. And not so much in my work life, but in my personal life that often times you can allow perfection to get in the way of moving forward.

If you have to sing Karaoke, what song do you pick?

Probably going to go with Hey Jude or Sweet Home Alabama.