Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

HL couple opens two new businesses



In terms of profession, technology and people skills seem to be on the opposite end of the spectrum, but Dave and Tracy Clos of Howard Lake make them work together every day.

The couple house both their businesses in the same building, located along Highway 12, east of the drug store in Howard Lake. Dave and Tracy both own CP You, and Tracy manages Express Personnel Services.

“It’s about being here to help, not to make a lot of money,” Dave said. Helping people seems to be a common theme for both businesses, but that is where the similarity ends.

CP You deals with sales, repairs, and parts for computers, and Express Personnel Services offers business solution services, personnel services, and professional staffing.

Express Personnel Services has its main office in Chaska, and Tracy opened the satellite office in Howard Lake about a year ago.

“Our biggest focus, currently, is in Carver, Wright, and McLeod counties,” Tracy said.

Tracy has worked as a business consultant for Express Personnel Services for 2 1/2 years, and enjoys being able to help people find satisfaction in their work.

“We work with companies to uncover workplace issues and discover solutions,” Tracy said.

Working with various companies, Tracy can help identify problems, assist with training, and conduct employee satisfaction surveys.

Express Personnel Services also helps companies find replacements by drawing from its recruiting pool.

The central location in Howard Lake helps supply a good base to draw from for recruiting, Tracy said.

Even though Tracy enjoys working with people, she does cross over into the technology realm to help her husband, Dave, with CP You.

Tracy’s main role has been researching computer parts to buy for use in custom built computers, which are one of CP You’s specialities.

Custom computers can be made to suit individual needs, such as a video machine for a teenager, or an office model for a business or home office, Dave said.

Custom computers can be bought from CP You for as little as $300.

“Back before people had computers, I have been tearing them down,” Dave said.

CP You offers a number of computer services, including virus removal, computer repair, sales parts, Internet connection services, custom upgrades, web optimization, and on-site repairs.

“We sell everything the big guys sell, for about 30 percent less,” Dave said.

Not only does Dave help people afford a computer, who otherwise couldn’t, he also uses his business to supply donations.

People can bring in their old computers or parts and Dave fixes them for free, donating the money to missions.

“People are very generous,” Dave said.

Four of the Clos’ seven children, Travis, Jacob, Joshua, and Andrew, help run the business, from making house calls to “just about everything else,” Dave said.

CP You is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Fri., and Sat. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Express Personnel Services is open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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