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IKB Inc., Ilona Lindauer
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Ilona Lindauer is an experienced builder who works extensively throughout the South Bay. She received her BS degree from Hunter College in New York, and her MS degree from Radford College in Virginia.
In Northern California, she has taught at Foothill College, and she also pioneered the use of computer-aided design at Canada College. She has sat on the board of Silicon Valley NARI, a trade association of remodeling contractors. She is currently also on the board of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce.
After extensive travels with her husband and daughter, they found their "Paradise" in Santa Clara County. As her daughter was getting older, Ilona wanted to fill in daytime hours and started planning her dream project. She began with designing kitchens and bathrooms. But she found that she really loved all aspects of remodeling. She liked talking to subcontractors, clients, doing the accounting, as well as designing. She had decided to apprentice for her General Contractor’s license, and she never looked back.
At that time she met SCORE counselor, Bill Klein while designing their new bathrooms.
As she was thinking of a more ambitious enterprise, Bill offered to mentor her.
Ilona thought, her company was just at its beginning, and that business counseling would be invaluable so she gladly accepted Bill’s offer. That started a long mentoring relationship between Ilona and SCORE mentor Bill Klein, which still exists now.
Ilona got her General Contractor’s License from the State of California, a Green Builder Certificate, and a Certified Kitchen Designer Certificate with the National Kitchen and Bath Association
Over the years Ilona and her SCORE mentor Bill Klein have met regularly. (IKB, the name of her company, is now celebrating its 20th anniversary). They talk about operational issues, such as cash management, bidding strategy, balance sheet, profit/loss, and personnel issues. Bill Klein, a former corporate executive, with experience in general management, was a good fit as a mentor. His guidance helped Ilona manage her business successfully. When needed, Bill has also brought in other SCORE members with the appropriate specialized expertise.
Ilona is grateful to SCORE and her mentor Bill Klein. She said, “We discussed topics about personnel, accounting, facilities, and clients and decide on when to hire new employees, and when to eliminate staff ”. Ilona also added, “I learned to look at Balance Sheets, Profit and Loss statements. We talked about branding and how to market IKB’s brand in the downtown showroom”.
Ilona established “Ilona Kitchen and Bath Inc” (IKB) in 1993, a full-service design/build/interior corporation with a showroom located in downtown Los Altos.
IKB provides a complete service. This includes design concepts, construction documents, general contracting, furnishings, finishes and accessories for the homeowner.
Her website is: www.ikbinc.com
Ilona’s professional vision for the company is to place people in beautiful and functional environments that express their unique needs and personalities.
IKB employs a team of experienced and award-winning designers and builders highly educated in disciplines including residential design and construction.
The continuous stream of awards and repeat client business that the IKB team receives is a testament to their ability to design and build distinctive interior spaces which are both a source of enjoyment and pride for bay area homeowners.
Her company has participated in numerous show houses on the peninsula.
Ilona looks forward to working with her team to create more beautiful home improvement projects. She will also continue to work with her SCORE business coach.
