Brooklyn Hardware

Panelclip Prepares for Succession with SBDC

Carol and Mike Grant started Brooklyn Hardware, LLC out of their home to manufacture the Panelclip®, a hanging device that eliminates the need to put a nail on a board—it’s an easy way to attach things to a wall in an aesthetically pleasing way. The Panelclip® is known for its unique interlocking connection and higher quality.

Today, Brooklyn Hardware operates out of the historic Brooklyn yards business area in Southeast Portland and employs five people, including Carol, who still owns the business, and her nephew, Ben Hillesland, who is general manager. In their modest facility, all operations from ordering, manufacturing, customer service and shipping are maintained by this small crew with an additional focus on sustainability and reduced waste.

Ben has been with the company for eight years and in 2014 stepped in as the GM. He is in line to purchase the company in the near future and recently began taking courses through the Small Business Development Center.

“Carol and Mike began utilizing the SBDC years ago, so she recommended that I attend some courses in business management to help prepare and develop me for management and ultimately for business ownership,” Ben said.