Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Grove
Hi Richard, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got my start as a mechanical engineer for the Department of Defense, and I really enjoyed that role. However, I’d always dreamed of working for myself in small business—building something meaningful with friends and family. Growing up, I was constantly starting little side hustles and entrepreneurial projects, so when an opportunity presented itself in 2008 to change careers, I took it. I moved back to Atlanta and jumped into small business with both feet.
I’m now the driving force behind Wall Control, a brand that has become the go-to solution for wall-mounted storage and organization systems. What started as a passion for solving storage challenges has grown into a thriving business that serves DIYers, professional organizers, and garage outfitters. Under my leadership, Wall Control has become known for its innovative, high-quality metal pegboard systems.
In 2019, I decided to expand my impact by launching The Small Business Consultant. I saw an opportunity to share the knowledge and strategies I’ve gained over the years to help other entrepreneurs navigate challenges and achieve sustainable success. Marketing has always been a strength of mine, and I’ve focused on creative strategies like influencer partnerships and TV collaborations, including working with the Outdoor Channel’s Renovation Hunters, where both Wall Control and I are prominently featured.
I also host the Wall Control Podcast, Organization Conversation, where I discuss topics around business, organization, and productivity. I thrive on the challenge of growing businesses and helping others realize their potential. It’s incredibly rewarding to share my insights and inspire others to achieve their goals.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path of small business is never a smooth road, and my experience has been no different. From growth challenges, to inflation, to scaling systems, and everything in between, it is a new challenge every day. The struggles are always different but the approach is always the same, and that is ‘just solve the next problem’. My background in engineering has been so helpful to my life as an entrepreneur in that engineering is essentially just problem solving at its core and that is the key ingredient to any successful entrepreneur. The problems and challenges are inevitable, it is how you face them and move through them that separates the successes from the failures, and the ability to learn from the failures and persevere on.
We’ve been impressed with Wall Control & The Small Business Consultant, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I wear two different hats professionally, one as a brand builder and operator for Wall Control and the other as a Small Business Consultant helping other growing small businesses and brands do the same as I’ve done with Wall Control and other businesses I’ve worked with.
Wall Control is the industry leader in pegboard wall organizer systems. It’s known for its unmatched quality, versatility, and value. The entire product line is designed, manufactured, and distributed in our facility in Tucker, Georgia, by a family-run company that started in 1968 as a small tool and die shop. Today, three generations of American manufacturing continue to craft durable, steel-based pegboards that solve all the common challenges of wall-mounted storage.
What sets Wall Control apart? It’s the combination of durability, strength, versatility, ease of installation, attractive design, and affordability. Our metal pegboards are 10x stronger than traditional ones, resist wear, and stay securely mounted. They’re magnetic, support various hooks and accessories, and feature an integrated shelving system. Plus, installation is straightforward, with no extra framework needed.
Available in a range of colors and finishes, Wall Control panels look great in garages, homes, or workplaces. Customers love our product, and reviews on platforms like Amazon and Home Depot speak for themselves.
Wall Control has given me a front-row seat to what it takes to build and grow a successful family-run business. From its humble beginnings in a small tool and die shop in 1968 to becoming the industry leader in pegboard wall organization, Wall Control has taught me the importance of quality, innovation, and customer-first service. Being part of this journey has provided me with hands-on experience in product design, manufacturing, distribution, and brand growth.
That foundation is what inspired me to create The Small Business Consultant. I’ve taken the lessons learned from Wall Control’s success—building a strong brand, staying true to core values, and understanding market needs—and now use that expertise to help other small business owners achieve their goals. My mission is to help entrepreneurs navigate their own challenges, build sustainable businesses, and scale their operations with the same principles that helped Wall Control thrive.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The Covid-19 crisis was an eye-opening experience that taught me one of the most valuable lessons in both business and life: the importance of maintaining a level head and resisting the urge to overreact. In times of crisis, the sheer volume of inputs can be overwhelming. These inputs come at you from all directions—the constant stream of news, internal challenges within your business, shifts in the market or industry, and even the emotions and fears stirred up within yourself.
During Covid, I learned that reacting impulsively to every piece of information or every challenge only adds to the chaos. Instead, I realized the power of stepping back, observing these inputs objectively, and giving them thoughtful consideration before deciding on a course of action. This approach allowed me to filter out the noise and focus on what truly mattered, enabling me to make clearer, more strategic decisions.
This lesson has been invaluable not just in navigating the crisis itself but also in how I approach business and leadership overall. By cultivating a sense of calm and intentionality, I’ve been able to lead more effectively, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and focus on long-term success rather than getting caught up in short-term panic. It’s a mindset I carry with me every day and one I encourage other business owners to embrace as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://consultantsmallbusiness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrwallstorage/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-grove-wall-control/
- Twitter: https://x.com/MrWallStorage
