Family Leadership, Gifted Employees Push Tahoe Supply To New Heights

By Harrell Kerkhoff, Maintenance Sales News Editor

Shown are CEO Nick Spallone and his wife, President Kelly Spallone. (Photo courtesy of Tahoe Supply)

When it comes to business, as in life, a change in direction can often lead to greater things down the road. A case in point is the success of the Spallone family and their Tahoe Supply Company, headquartered in Carson City, NV. Soon to be celebrating its 45^th year, the jan/san distributorship today services a large geographic area. It is also a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), with Tahoe Supply’s Kelly Spallone serving as President.

In 1980, Kelly Spallone’s father-in-law, the late Dominic Spallone Jr., was a longtime bar and restaurant owner in Incline Village, NV, located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. While settling a customer’s bar tab debt, Dominic found himself as part-owner of that customer’s cleaning company. Although the idea of cleaning facilities was not a focus to Dominic, he soon realized the value of supplying such locations with cleaning supplies. Long story short, Dominic Spallone soon began a jan/san distributorship and called it Tahoe Supply. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, the company is operated by Kelly Spallone and her husband, Nick Spallone, who serves as CEO and is the son of Dominic, who recently passed away at age 88.

“Although my dad didn’t know much about the jan/san industry when he started Tahoe Supply, he did his research and quickly learned what it took to become successful as a distributor of cleaning supplies,” Nick Spallone said. “Having owned bars and restaurants in the past, he also understood the value of customer service and hospitality, which continues to be a focal part of our distributorship.”

In 1995, Tahoe Supply expanded by moving its corporate office from Incline Village to Carson City. However, the company maintained an inventory center and showroom at its original location. In 2003, a new corporate office and distribution center were opened in Carson City, enabling Tahoe Supply to ship products throughout the western United States.

One year later, in 2004, Kelly Spallone joined her husband and father-in-law at the distributorship, serving as Director of Recruiting. Her background and education were in hotel management, and she had worked many years for leading hotel chains. Nick Spallone, meanwhile, had gone to college with the idea of working in the bar and restaurant business, much like his father Dominic had done many years prior. He changed his mind, however, after working with several of his father’s jan/san clients, realizing the great people involved in the cleaning industry and the growth potential the industry provided.

Tahoe Supply was acquired by Kelly and Nick Spallone in 2006 through a planned succession. In 2021, the business was restructured, with Kelly Spallone becoming President and Nick Spallone remaining CEO.

Today, in addition to its headquarters and distribution center in Carson City and its original location in Incline Village, Tahoe Supply operates distribution centers in Las Vegas, NV, and Austin, TX, as well as a satellite office in Reno/Sparks, NV.

“Our facilities provide us with both a competitive advantage and a challenge,” Nick Spallone said.  “Operating within a small footprint allows us to keep costs down while managing the most impactful number of SKUs we stock. That keeps our inventory lean and mean, and our team members ultra-knowledgeable of all items. Every market we service has a slightly different flavor, but our core values of how we serve our customers remain the same.”

Kelly Spallone added, “Most of our deliveries are scheduled based on location. We use a hybrid approach involving not only our fleet of trucks but also outside shipping contractors. We determine the best delivery method based on the most reliable, quickest, and best experience for our customers.

“Our geographic service region is quite dynamic. We cover the entire state of Nevada, a large portion of Northern California and Central Texas, and a small piece of Arizona and Utah.”

Tahoe Supply has approximately 100,000 square feet of warehouse space across various locations.

“The smaller warehouse space is one of the most unique parts of our company. A distributor similar to our overall size typically operates in a space four to five times larger when it comes to warehousing,” Kelly Spallone said. “Keeping our inventory level concise keeps us focused on our core strengths. Manufacturers and friendly competitors who have toured our facilities are always amazed at how resourceful we are regarding our operations.”

In 2022, Tahoe Supply opened an inventory center and showroom in Austin, TX, expanding the distributorship’s reach into a different part of the country.

“The move into Texas made sense for us, and it’s been a lot of fun establishing a business there,” Nick Spallone said. “We did it all on our own, without purchasing another company. It was an experiment that worked out very well and will serve as a model for us as we progress as a company.”

Tahoe Supply Chief Operating Officer Andrew Royce added that the distributorship’s growth has largely been driven by word of mouth and reputation.

“A good indicator of our service quality is when people — who have done business with us for years — leave one job for another within the cleaning industry and ‘take us with them,’ allowing us to serve their new place of employment,” Royce said. “It’s a great feeling when our customers show that much respect and trust for our services and products.”

Key Success Factors

Tahoe Supply was established with a commitment to deliver high-quality commercial cleaning supplies to local businesses situated around Lake Tahoe, a picturesque alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada that straddles the California/Nevada border. Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction and is home to winter sports, summer outdoor recreation, and scenery enjoyed throughout the year. Ski resorts are a significant part of the area’s economy, along with casinos found on the Nevada side of Tahoe.

Initially focusing on providing basic janitorial supplies, Tahoe Supply quickly earned a reputation for reliability, customer service, and a keen understanding of the specific needs of businesses in its region. Company representatives have prioritized strong client relationships and personalized service throughout its history.

“Over the years, Tahoe Supply expanded its product line to include a broader range of supplies, equipment, and services,” Kelly Spallone said. “That growth allowed the company to shift from primarily focusing on lodging and casino customers to a more diverse array of industries, including health care, education, corporate and commercial buildings, and industrial and manufacturing. The company also began integrating emerging cleaning technologies and equipment to cater to clients looking for cutting-edge and high-performance solutions.”

Tahoe Supply remains 100 percent dedicated to jan/san and focuses on solution-based selling. Rather than just selling products, the distributorship’s sales staff focuses on understanding the specific needs and challenges facing clients. By offering tailored solutions — whether they are eco-friendly options, cost-saving bulk purchases, or specialized cleaning systems — Tahoe Supply employees position the company as a problem-solver, not just a vendor.

“Our company, for example, has continued to expand its offering of green-certified products and eco-friendly solutions for clients.  Businesses embracing these meaningful environmental changes have allowed Tahoe Supply to be even more relevant in the very competitive and evolving jan/san industry,” Nick Spallone added.

Kelly and Nick Spallone pointed to six key factors that have helped Tahoe Supply succeed in a changing marketplace. They are:

• Adaptability and Diversification: “One of our company’s greatest strengths is its ability to pivot and diversify quickly,” Kelly Spallone said. “That adaptability has helped us weather market shifts and respond to the changing needs of our customer base.”
• Strong Local Relationships: According to Nick Spallone, Tahoe Supply has always maintained strong connections with the communities it serves. Focusing on customer service and fostering long-term relationships have built a loyal clientele that trusts the company for essential supplies.

“Such a local presence gives our company an edge over larger, more impersonal chain suppliers,” he explained.

•  A family business that sees all employees as family: “Many companies say they treat employees like family, but Tahoe Supply backs it up with real actions,” Kelly Spallone said. “When employees face unexpected hardships that life can present, they need a safe place to land and help to get back on their feet. Tahoe Supply is that place.”
• Emphasis on Quality and Customer Service: This focus has helped Tahoe Supply build a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness, encouraging repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Sustainability and Innovation: “Some people think of ‘sustainability’ as a list of ingredients, but it is so much more than what or how something is made,” Nick Spallone said. “When measuring sustainability, the entire life cycle of a product needs to be evaluated, including how it is used and the outcome of that product. For example, if a ‘green’ product requires a surface or material to be replaced sooner rather than later, it is not truly sustainable.”
• Embracing Technology: Tahoe Supply’s investment in technology, such as using digital tools for enhancing logistical operations, inventory management, and customer interaction, has streamlined the distributorship’s overall operations.

“That has allowed for greater efficiency, more accurate order fulfillment, and better customer experiences — which are all critical for maintaining competitiveness in a digital age,” Kelly Spallone said. “Technology has allowed our company to perform at a high level despite the small footprint of our facilities.

“By staying ahead of market trends and adapting to the evolving needs of the businesses we serve, Tahoe Supply has continued to thrive despite market challenges and shifts in consumer behaviors.”

She added that being flexible, agile, resourceful, and creative helps the company succeed, allowing Tahoe Supply to create new customer opportunities during prosperous and challenging times.

“We are large and stable enough to attract the best manufacturers, clients, and employees, but small enough to ‘turn on a dime’ when we must,” Kelly Spallone said. “I also feel we are successful due to what I call our ‘intellectual capital.’ That involves the people we employ who work with our customers — from salespeople and service technicians to warehouse personnel and drivers. They all possess a ‘can-do attitude.’”

Royce added: “One reason for Tahoe Supply’s success is that we see our people as consultants and problem solvers. The main objective is to establish strong relationships with customers, letting them know we are here to help when things get tough. For example, it’s common for a Tahoe Supply representative to respond to a customer’s problem at 10 p.m. on a Saturday night. We are there when our customers need help, no matter the time or day. That is important to our customers, as they often run into unexpected problems while trying to maintain a facility.”

Nick Spallone added that a top qualification for working at Tahoe Supply is “attitude.” Another factor is being willing to work with others within the company.

“When it comes to sales, it’s important to ‘break down the walls’ between different departments within a company and help each other out for the future success of everyone,” he said. “This is especially helpful for new employees as they grow within our business. They know there is an entire team of people here who are willing to collaborate and help them become successful. Ultimately, this process of employee collaboration helps our customers become successful as well.”

Servicing Equipment Is Essential

Along with providing a wide variety of products that include cleaning chemicals, floor care supplies, paper products, dispensers, cleaning equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and specialty products, Tahoe Supply specializes in different services. That includes:

• Product Consultation and Training: Providing clients with expert advice on the best products for their needs, as well as training on proper product use, safety protocols, and green cleaning practices.
• Equipment Maintenance and Repair: Offering maintenance and repair services to ensure clients’ equipment stays in top shape, minimizing downtime and extending the life of their investments.
• Inventory Management and Delivery: Involving streamlined supply management services, including regular deliveries and subscription-based orders, to ensure clients have the necessary supplies without disruption.

“In particular, servicing equipment is a significant part of our business. It goes far beyond ‘your grandfather’s vacuum repair shop,’” Royce said. “We take pride in being a market leader when it comes to our equipment service and repair program. We sell a lot of cleaning equipment. Because of that, we at Tahoe Supply feel it’s imperative that our company also provides a top-tier service department. We have truly worked hard over the years to offer such capabilities.”

Kelly Spallone added, “Our service department is designed to help clients get the most from their cleaning equipment, ensuring it performs at its best and lasts as long as possible. Our skilled technicians provide expert maintenance and repair services for various equipment, including vacuums, floor scrubbers, and extractors. Whether it’s routine maintenance or a complex repair, we’re equipped to keep our clients’ machines in top condition, so they experience minimal downtime.”

According to Nick Spallone, Tahoe Supply offers preventive maintenance programs to help customers avoid unexpected issues. These programs include regular check-ups, detailed inspections, and small repairs. By addressing wear and tear early, the distributorship’s service department can reduce the risk of major breakdowns.

“Our service department also uses genuine parts for repairs, ensuring high-quality results that enhance equipment reliability,” Royce said. “With deep knowledge on many equipment brands and models, we can advise clients on upgrades, replacements, and the best ways to maximize performance.”

“At Tahoe Supply, we take a personalized approach to our client’s equipment needs, tailoring maintenance plans and support to fit their unique requirements. Our goal is pure satisfaction, and we’re committed to providing proactive support,” Kelly Spallone added.

WBE Certification & Awards

In early 2024, Tahoe Supply was announced to have received certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). To receive this certification, Tahoe Supply underwent an in-depth validation process and site inspection to confirm that at least 51 percent of the business is woman-owned, controlled, operated and managed.

“It’s been an incredible honor to receive WBE certification,” Kelly Spallone said, “which supports our belief that diversity promotes innovation, opens doors, and creates partnerships that fuel the economy.”

She added that WBE certification brings many advantages to Tahoe Supply, its clients and partners. Such benefits include enhanced market opportunities and access to new markets; a competitive edge within the bidding processes; added validation and credibility; reinforced brand image; networking and growth opportunities such as access to WBE networks; added educational and development resources; potential tax, financial, and government incentives, including access to specific government contracts; and the ability to provide more significant social impact and corporate responsibility. The latter advantage involves promoting diversity and inclusion as well as community engagement.

“It was a team effort to earn this certification and a true honor,” Kelly Spallone said. “We had many customers asking us beforehand why we weren’t certified. That helped push us to seek the certification.”

Nick Spallone added: “Doing so has also helped empower the women who currently work at our company. It’s been profound.”

Regarding honors, Tahoe Supply was recently named Supply Partner of the Year by the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association (NHLA). The award recognizes a company’s service, reliability, and commitment to the hospitality industry across Nevada.

The award was presented at the NHLA’s annual gala held in Las Vegas, where industry leaders gathered to celebrate excellence in the hotel and lodging sector. Tahoe Supply was specifically honored for its support and partnership with hotels, resorts, and lodging establishments throughout the state.

“We were incredibly proud and honored to receive this recognition,” Kelly Spallone said. “Our entire team is dedicated to providing clients with the best products and services, and this award reflects that hard work.”

She added the award would have made her late father-in-law, company founder Dominic Spallone, very proud.

“He started this business in 1980 as a one-man show and was greatly instrumental in its ultimate success,” she said. “The award is also a testament to our employees’ hard work over the years.”

Tahoe Supply was also recently honored with a Family Business of the Year award presented by Nevada Business Magazine.

As for Tahoe Supply’s future, Kelly Spallone noted that two of her and Nick’s three children are currently “dipping their toes” into the family business through various roles.

“We are happy to have a company legacy to share with them,” she said, adding that distribution and the cleaning industry continue to provide good ways to spend a career.

“Being a distributor in the jan/san industry comes with many rewarding aspects, from the vital role distribution plays in public health to the opportunities for personal and professional growth,” Kelly Spallone said.

Nick Spallone added: “One of the most gratifying parts of being in the jan/san industry is knowing that the products and services we provide directly contribute to cleaner, healthier environments. Whether it’s a school, a hospital, an office, or a public facility, every product we distribute reduces germs, protects people, and promotes well-being. Especially given the heightened awareness around hygiene built during the COVID pandemic, people in this field have a profound sense of purpose, knowing their work actively supports community health and safety.”

“For those interested in a stable, impactful, and evolving field, the jan/san industry is an excellent choice,” Kelly Spallone said. “It offers the satisfaction of knowing your work has a direct and positive impact on communities while providing opportunities for growth, meaningful client relationships, and involvement in sustainable initiatives.

“Furthermore — due to a blend of stability, purpose, and innovation — a jan/san distribution career can be rewarding for anyone looking to make a lasting impact within the essential cleaning industry.”

Visit tahoesupply.com.