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By Ayanna Eckblad

Every homeowner knows the importance of having quality windows, doors and gutters. They ensure the safety and longevity of the home and are essential for having a functioning living space.

GT Window and Door is a business specializing in the installation of windows, doors, siding and other exterior residential projects in the southern Minnesota and northern Iowa area. Owner Adam Godeke explained what it takes to run a business and what he and the GT employees have been able to accomplish since the business opened.

Godeke grew up in the Hollandale area and had an entrepreneurial mindset from a young age. When he was 10, he began a lawn care business for people in town. It was then he learned many valuable skills that would later come in handy while running GT Window and Door.

After high school, Godeke attended Riverland Community College. He also worked at Home Depot, as well as for a few contractors in the area. He credits the hands-on time he got to spend at these jobs as what prepared him for the work involved in operating his business.

Godeke opened GT Window and Door in 2012. Since its initial opening, the business has acquired five additional employees.

Godeke said he started out offering a broad range of services. However, as time went on, he and his team decided to focus on what their strengths were — windows, doors, gutters and siding — and made those their specialties. This has helped them improve their skills and become as knowledgeable as they can be on those areas.

“The big thing is we really got specialized in the line of work we do,” Godeke said.

In 2017, Godeke opened GT Window and Door’s sister business, Gutters by GT. It specializes in seamless gutter installation and has a completely separate set of employees from GT Window and Door.

While they like to adapt to changing technology when it comes to running the business, Godeke said a lot of aspects of window, door and gutter installation have stayed the same over the years. The need for these household fixtures has also remained steady.

One of Godeke’s favorite parts about the job is coming up with solutions for people based on their project goals and teaching them about the various options they have.

“I’m more tailored toward the education and research side of things,” he said. “We can cater solutions to a customer’s needs.”

He added it’s easy to become overwhelmed if you have never done a similar project before.

“Some people can get shell-shocked if they don’t know what they’re getting into.”

The greatest advantage of having a small, family-owned business, Godeke said, is the ability to be there for clients whether or not they are in a position to begin a project. He also said it helps not to be held to selling a certain product. While large companies and chains are what come up first when people begin searching for contractors, these larger establishments can be more sales focused and less focused on the needs of their clients.

Another advantage Godeke emphasized is that GT Window and Door does all of the work on a project themselves and does not need to outsource work to other businesses.

“From start to finish, you’re working with us and our company,” he said.

Even if a potential client is not looking to begin a project immediately, Godeke said he and his team want to be there to help.

“We can be there when they’re ready for us,” he said. “Even if you’re not in a purchasing position, we want to be there to help.”