Blog

George Cleary | My Pelotonia

What Pelotonia Means to Me & Why I ride

My first Pelotonia was 11 years ago and it’s been, without a doubt, the BEST 2 days of my year, every year. It is the most enthusiastic, positive experience that I have ever been part of. My brother-in-law, Chip Greenlee, encouraged me to join him and for several years we both rode with Stephanie Spielman’s Team of Hope Peloton. Chip and his wife, Sara, were great friends of Stephanie and her husband, Chris. The loss of such a strong-willed cancer survivor and friend encouraged Chip to do his part and he encouraged me to do the same.

Little did we know back then the impact of Chip’s ask, because today he’s fighting terminal Glioblastoma brain cancer and in the last 11 years, I have had many of my friends (Tim, Adam, Sheila, Rick, just to name a few), as well as my mom, die from cancer. Betty, my mom, lost her battle with Leukemia in 2013 and that is when I kicked up my game to begin riding the 2-day 180-200 mile event. I wanted to show her that I could do more by grinding through a second day even though I’m tired and don’t want to get back on that little bike seat.

2012 – George with Chip at the Gambier finish

George with his mom

We all have optimism and hope to finding better treatments and ultimately a cure! A lot of that enthusiasm is due to the leadership efforts and hard work of the Pelotonia staff but also so many more – the dedication of doctors, researchers, interns, volunteers, and those that grind out 25-200 miles every August for the journey to One Goal – kicking cancer’s ass.

Cancer survivors & their family members line the routes each year to thank and encourage riders

I get goosebumps thinking of the supporters, both financially and spiritually. I will see survivors in the country with masks on, no hair in wheelchairs at the end of their driveway ringing a cowbell to encourage each rider to “keep on pedaling”, or every year the guy holding his sign “thanks for saving my wife”.

Come on folks, I can’t make this stuff up, it fuels your legs and you keep on pedaling. Join me in this amazing positivity! There are too many neighbors, co-workers, friends, classmates and even beloved family members (Todd, Jeff, Kathleen, Chip, just to name a few) fighting their own personal journey with cancer. I am so fortunate and blessed to be healthy and I am driven to make a difference. Will you join me? I hope so!

P.S. In 2020, I made the decision to start my own Peloton, Team Cleary Cyclers! Click here to join me on Team Cleary Cyclers or find out how you can help support Pelotonia’s mission.

One Goal – End Cancer! George B. Cleary

2019 – George & Doug Ulman – President & CEO Pelotonia

2016 – George with his sister Kathleen, cancer survivor!

2015 – George & his buddy Adam, who lost his battle with lung cancer earlier this year.

2019 – Geroge with his teammates on the Hamilton Parker Peloton

July 6, 2020
The Power Of Connections
Connections – we all have them and we all need them, whether it’s in business or our personal lives. Here at The Cleary Company, we know the connections with our Team, our vendors, and our clients help us navigate our way through our business goals. The connection with our marketing agency, Burgie MediaFusion, has been a successful part of our business for many years. Through dynamic collaboration they help us create brand awareness, refine our message, establish our digital presence and further our success by being a sounding board for our ideas for future growth. This connection with Burgie MediaFusion is one that we are grateful for and appreciate.

Connections – Make the Right Ones

Barb Burgie, owner at Burgie MediaFusion says, “In our lifetime, we migrate in and out of people’s lives, be it in business or personal life. We owe it to our self personally to surround our soul with people who nurture our connections.”

Barb Burgie, owner Burgie MediaFusion Worthington OH

The right connections can help you be a better person and find greater joy in life. As we work to help business and teams succeed, we have learned over the years there are key relationships that help the world move and having a personal connection with a service provider in these areas can help solve most any problem you might have.

Attributes of a good connector include someone who is trustworthy, honest, well respected, influential, charitable, loving, patient and kind. Many of your friends and family are likely already providing you necessary connections but we find ensuring you have the right connectors makes for a better life! Read on for Barb’s top 5 connections every homeowner should have.

Key Connectors:
1. Healthcare Hero — everyone needs someone who understands the healthcare system, from billing to navigating hospitals and the care needed for loved ones. There is no greater connection than having people in your corner when you need healthcare advice. We advise friends and family to build relationships specific to their particular healthcare needs so if help is needed there is someone who can advocate and help you along the way. We also find our connections keep us healthy by keeping us informed!
2. Financial Mastermind — the second most important connection to have in our life is someone who understands the world of finance. From bankers to financial planners, having someone who understands numbers and can help you connect the dots is critical.
3. Home Fixer — you need someone who understands your house. Someone who can help you fix your toilet and find the right realtor when you are looking to move. The rolodex of your home fixer becomes the most important problem solver for any homeowner and that’s where you have won the lottery by having The Cleary Company on your side. They can assist with any problem you have regarding your home because they have spent 25 years building solid relationships with people you can trust.
4. Calendar Keeper — we suggest finding a connection to someone who knows all those dates you forget. In life, we have found there is always someone who you cross paths within various scenarios who has the answer to who, what, when and where. Keep those connections close because we are all overloaded with submission dates, deadlines and birthdays. Finding the right connector for reminders is a keeper.
5. Technology Wizard — we all need someone in our lives who can help with our IT and gadget needs to help us keep connected. If you haven’t found the right technology wizard, we suggest doing your research and to identify that right someone.
If there is an area here where you don’t have a solid connection, the team at Burgie MediaFusion is happy to help build these relationships that help you!

Who Are Your Connections?

As you look at your business or family, do you have people who can help you navigate your way through your day? Who can you reach out to for help in one or more of these areas? Here at The Cleary Company, we truly believe our strongest connections help us to educate ourselves and our clients, give back to our community and maintain our connections with all who have come through our doors.

Visit our Facebook profile for a video of George & Barb discussing their most powerful connections.
June 8, 2020
Choosing Tile For Your Home Remodel

Tile Trends That Create Tranquil Spaces

Our homes are providing us with a greater sense of safety and security than we have ever felt in the past. To #LiveBetter at home, we seek spaces that offer tranquility and sanctuary in an environment that promotes wellness.

At The Cleary Company, our Design-Build Team loves to collaborate with our friends at Hamilton Parker and we rely on their exceptional products and service. They provide premier building products, from designer tile and masonry products to fireplaces and garage doors. Together we can guide you to find the latest and greatest for your next remodel.

Randi Garris, Hamilton Parker Merchandising Manager, says sanctuary spaces are a top décor trend, “People want a relaxing, Zen-like vibe. Your home doesn’t just need to look good—it should feel good to be in, too.” Below are 5 ways to bring this trend to life for your next remodeling project.

Choose natural colors. Use a color palette found in nature, like warm neutrals. And instead of accenting with a pop of color in building materials, accent with plants, using green as your pop of color.

Use Earthy textures. Nature is full of texture, so bring it into your space to channel a connection to the Earth—the smoothness of honed marble, the grit of wood grain, the water-like translucence of glass. Today’s tiles offer unique and easy ways to incorporate a variety of textures.

Keep it minimal. When done right, this trend will evoke feelings of calm and serenity. Minimalize the aesthetic of a space by creating clean lines and surfaces, and by including stow-away storage solutions.

Go luxe beyond looks. Think dimensionally about this trend by moving beyond the aesthetic of the space and thinking about other senses, too. Heated floors, anyone?

Accent thoughtfully. Details are everything. Choose beautiful light fixtures with dimmers to set the mood. Select lush linens for bathrooms and kitchens or comfy blankets for other spaces. And finish the space with a soothing, Earth-inspired scented candle.

Contemporary Master Bathroom Addition Columbus OH

We hope you found some new ways your home can be transformed into a serene sanctuary and a place where you want to spend time. With the quality tile products from Hamilton Parker and the experienced designers & craftsman at The Cleary Company we can create your renovated dream home. Visit Hamilton Parker to take a look at their stunning products! To get started on your next project give us a call at 614-459-4000.

May 12, 2020
Winners x 2 – 2020 NARI National CotY Awards

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announced their annual National CotY™ (Contractor of the Year) winners on Friday April 24, 2020 during a virtual Evening of Excellence celebration via Facebook Live.

Each year, NARI presents CotY Awards to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects. The CotY Awards are the highest form of recognition by industry leaders and peers and allow us to celebrate our members who are committed to design, best practices, integrity, high standards, and professionalism. NARI received nearly 500 entries from across the United States representing over $138M in remodeling projects.

We received two National 2020 CotY awards for a total of 3 in two years! Click here to see our 2019 award winning project.

Historical Renovation under $250k

Click here for more photos & project details.

Commercial Interior

Click here for more photos & project details.

“For forty years, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry has celebrated the best remodeling projects in the country through our Contractor of the Year Awards competition.” says David Pekel, CEO at NARI. “These award-winning projects exemplify the pinnacle of what the
professional remodeling industry represents in both craftsmanship and innovation and NARI is proud to recognize this year’s best of the best.”

More About NARI

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI, is the medium for business development, a platform for advocacy and the principal source for industry intelligence. NARI is an organization of high-quality remodeling professionals. Its members are committed to integrity, high standards, professional education, ethics and market recognition.
NARI connects homeowners with its professional members.

April 28, 2020
Design-Build Collaboration for Outdoor Living Projects

In today’s world, landscaping and outdoor spaces have become a big part of home remodels. More and more homeowners want to maximize their living space and blend the indoors with the outdoors via windows, large doors, and beautiful, livable landscaping features. When our Team at The Cleary Company has a home remodeling project that includes a large-scale landscape project, we look to GreenScapes Landscape Company for their impeccable work and expertise. Our relationship is one of mutual admiration and we work together to create beautiful exteriors and amazing outdoor living spaces finished with gorgeous plants, walkways, structures, and more. Read on to learn more about a project we collaborated on and you’ll understand why this is a win-win relationship!

Project Profile – NARI Regional CotY Award Winner

Marc Aubry, GreenScapes Head of Residential Design, explained, “The homeowner wanted to create an outdoor space for entertaining and enjoying nature. That project is a good example of bringing professionals together early in the project and being able to create a really nice indoor/outdoor space, and transitional spaces.” In the case of this home in Upper Arlington, Aubry said, “The homeowner was very interested in birds and wildlife, and we were able to accomplish that. She has no turf in her back yard. It’s all plants—plants that attract wildlife and birds. We did the design, and The Cleary Company came back and completed the custom carpentry. It was a real team effort,” Aubry noted. “The home addition The Cleary Company built included a lot of glass walls. It is very nice to sit in the home and look outside and watch the activity in the garden, the entire back yard. The large glass windows have a special reflective coating so that birds won’t fly into it.”

Home addition & outdoor living space Upper Arlington OH

The homeowner is looking forward to seeing her landscape design change and mature with the coming seasons. This project’s landscaping is designed to harbor, protect and attract overwintering birds year-round. The end result is kind of like a sanctuary, a phenomenal place to enjoy nature.

Are you ready for an upgrade to your home’s exterior?

Maybe it’s time for your own outdoor living space! Build Better with The Cleary Company and GreenScapes Landscaping Company. Let us help turn your backyard into an oasis from the “busyness” of daily life. Call today!

The Cleary Company (614) 459-4000

GreenScapes Landscape Company (614) 837-1869

April 14, 2020
George Cleary & His Design-Build Team

Since establishing his company in 1994, George Cleary, CR, has continued living his passion of connecting with people. By building relationships in the community, he’s built a remodeling company focused helping people and surrounded himself with a Team of professionals that share his passions.

At The Cleary Company, our Team is focused on more than just creating beautiful functional design-build remodeling projects for our Clients. We feel finding connections and building relationships with our Clients is just as important.

In February 2020 George and his Team won a BizX America award for Best Company Culture from ActionCOACH!

George Cleary, CR, Owner & Chief Executive Officer – Leonor Carrasco, Production Manager – Jennifer Wood, Office Manager – Aaron Enfinger, CR, Chief Operations Officer

April 6, 2020
Jobsite Safety & COVID-19
Keeping you, your family, our Team & trade partners safe is always our number one priority. The Cleary Company is fortunate to be among the essential businesses allowed to continue operating during the State of Ohio Stay at Home Order. The next 30-60 days are going to be highly abnormal for everyone and we will be adjusting as needed. I’m proud to report that in less than 24 hours Our Team was able to quickly adapt to our new working conditions!

Our Office, Development and Design Teams are working remotely from home by conducting meetings with clients and vendors via Zoom, FaceTime and virtual showrooms online. Read more about office precautions here. Additionally our Production Team has instituted new and enhanced jobsite cleaning protocols so they can stay busy keeping our Client’s project moving forward.

Here’s a list of those new safety protocols posted on each of our jobsites:
- If you have a fever you are not allowed to work on any jobsite, please go home immediately!
- If the clients, who live in a home that is an active jobsite, have tested positive for COVID-19, we need to shut down that jobsite for 14 days.
- Each jobsite will be equipped with all of the essential supplies for cleaning & maintaining personal hygiene.
- Before & After each shift all surfaces on jobsite will be disinfected.
- Maximum number of workers on site limited to 5.
- Anyone working on any jobsite needs to maintain a safe social distance while performing their tasks.
- Sharing of tools, personal items and/or food is not be allowed on any jobsite.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any concerns regarding your current or upcoming project or any scheduled meetings with our Team.

Be well & stay safe! George Cleary, CR

Russell has a new title COVID-19 TCC Safety Officer
March 31, 2020
Winners of 5 NARI East Central Region CotY Awards

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announces their 2020 Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards. The Cleary Company Team sees five of their eight projects submitted win!

What are the CotY Awards?

The prestigious Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards are presented each year by NARI Headquarters to NARI members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects.

Judged by a diverse and impartial panel, CotY winners demonstrate exceptional design and craftsmanship in remodeling. Projects entered into the National CotY Awards program are eligible to win a Regional award among 48 categories in seven regions nationwide and one National CotY winner will be selected from amongst the Regional winners in each category. 2020 National awards winners will be announced on Friday April 24th so stay tuned!

The Cleary Company are members of NARI’s Central Ohio chapter which is located in the East Central Region. In total Central Ohio members won in 17 award categories! Here’s a look at The Cleary Company’s winning projects.
Basement $100-$250k
Residential Historical Renovation/ Restoration Under $250k
Residential Addition Under $100k
Residential Bath $25-$50k
Commercial Interior

March 9, 2020
Five Pillars of Self-Care
ActionCOACH & The Cleary Company Make a Difference

There are those that believe success in business and leadership just takes hard work. But at The Cleary Company it is our opinion that hard work alone isn’t enough. You must make sure you are pointed in the right direction as you are working hard. It is ideal to have someone looking over your shoulder to guide you and your business along the way! That is exactly why our Team works closely with ActionCOACH Columbus. They are a partner that helps us navigate the uncertainty of the business landscape. What that means for our design-build remodeling Clients is that we consistently work hard and smart to improve our business practices and leadership skills to be the best choice for their remodeling needs.

Below is some of the advice our Team has received from ActionCOACH.

Staying positive as a leader is essential in performing your job. To make sure you stay positive we have five pillars of self-care that we as coaches have our teams, managers and leaders all do.
1. Consistent Learning. Make sure that you’re always growing. Our brains are built to get rid of synapses that are not needed, as an energy-saving measure, causing our cognitive functions to slip after we graduate from college or cut back our workload near retirement. A consistent habit of learning has been proven to increase life expectancy, and certainly cognitive ability in that life.
2. Meditation. Regular meditation needs to be a part of your life. Get a meditation app or meditation audio of some kind to be able to shut your brain down just for a few minutes to recoup and recharge.
3. Exercise. Whether you walk, run, bike, swim, lift, or dance, exercise has a positive effect on not only your body, but your brain. The endorphins released when you exercise have been proven to increase positive outlook and decrease depression.
4. Affirmations. What you say to yourself when you’re by yourself can affect your outlook on every facet of your life. Saying out loud what you believe to be true about your present or future can reprogram your brain for positive thinking. Try things like “I am a successful leader.” or “I have great ideas that people want to hear.” It may feel uncomfortable at first to say these statements out loud but keep going.
5. Gratitude. Start your day being grateful for what you have and where you are. One of the easiest ways to do this is a gratitude snooze. Instead of falling back asleep after your alarm goes off, take that time to think of the things that are going well in your life. Try writing in a gratitude journal, capturing why you are grateful for the people, circumstances and experiences around you. Multiple scientific studies have concluded that cultivating the habit of gratitude influences not only your mental health, but your sleep health, physical health, and health of your relationships.
Creating a positive culture starts with the leaders. In all of these positive habits, show your team the way and lead by example.

As your remodeling experts our mission is to – “Thrive on improving the happiness of our clients and the functionality of their homes through our Remodel-Design-Build experience and have fun while doing it.” We focus on this mission daily and with ActionCOACH’s insightful guidance, we are fulfilling that mission through a positive culture and being leaders in our industry. What can you do to build your leadership skills?

Winner – Best Company Culture BizX Conference Nashville February 2020
March 2, 2020
Chase Away Winter Blues – Lighting Tips from Ferguson

Choosing the Right Lighting Fixtures for Your Home

The winter days can be dark and dreary, but with the right lighting, everything looks better and your mood and energy levels can improve. That’s how we feel about our partnership with Ferguson. Not only do they provide quality products for your home, but working together with them, our designers create lighting solutions for our clients, making their projects brighter and better.

Choosing the right lighting for your home might seem like an easy task. Lamp goes here, chandelier goes there, then you head to the store to grab a few different types of light bulbs because what if those ones are too warm? Or too cool? Or too bright? Too dim? Whatever—it’s a light, how much of a difference will it make?

Bulb Types

Choosing the fixtures is the fun part. Choosing the bulbs is a little less sexy, but just as important when it comes to getting lighting right. LED lights come in a variety of color temperatures and are typically budget-friendly, both at the time of purchase and long-term. Classic incandescent lights are an option as well, but consider swapping them out for brighter halogen bulbs or more subdued (and trendier) Edison bulbs – which can add a “vintage” flair to your fixtures and spaces.

Whether you’re planning an entire renovation or just giving your space a facelift, you’ll need to put together a plan before anything else. Consider the space, size and style of each room and the activities that take place in each of those rooms.

Living Rooms – Perhaps the most flexible room in your home, the living room is typically one of the first rooms you and your guests see when entering the home. The living room is where you go to relax, and it also serves as a social gathering spot for any parties you might have. Getting the lighting right here is vital to setting the tone for the rest of your home. For larger, taller spaces, consider subtle recessed lighting or a stunning chandelier to spark conversation. For smaller spaces, a flush-mount overhead light and a couple of bold table lamps should do.

Kitchen – Often the focal point of many homes, kitchen lighting tends to be morecomplex. The odds of you utilizing more than one type of light are strong, so this is where your plan will come in handy. Recessed lighting is a great option for general illumination – or ambient lighting – but for more nuanced options, consider LED strips along the top of cabinets. Under-cabinet lights are perfect for task lighting, and decorative pendant lights over islands can help establish your kitchen as a unique space.

Bedroom – Just because you’ll spend most of your time asleep in this room doesn’t mean you have to skip out on good lighting. Bedrooms are sanctuaries. Whether you’re retreating into bed after a long day, curling up on your day off or simply reading a book before heading off to sleep, the right lighting can make or break your bedroom’s entire atmosphere. Forget table lamps on nightstands and instead opt for unique sconces or pendant lights on either side of your bed to add some style and flair to the room. Utilize floor lamps and ceiling lights – maybe a fan, too – for broader lighting options. No matter what, remember that dimmer switches are ideal for setting every mood.

Bathroom – Overhead lighting is ideal for lighting up entire bathrooms, but near your vanity you’ll want to opt for task lighting over or next to your mirror. Avoid installing light fixtures directly overhead, as it can cast harsh, unflattering and inaccurate shadows. For baths and showers, use two or more lights to sufficiently brighten the space. Like your bedroom, a dimmer switch might be a good idea, as not many people enjoy being awakened by bright, crisp lights.

When it comes time to start changing your interior lighting, let Ferguson and The Cleary Company create a plan for you that will illuminate your vision for your remodeled home. You’ll live better with Ferguson and The Cleary Company lighting the way. Visit fergusonshowrooms.com to schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of their product experts.

January 29, 2020