About the Owner
Woman Owned and Operated! There’s a lot more than meets the eye with this Virginia native and member of the Manassas community since 2001. Closet Prep & Paint was created by Teressa Grijalva, who, in 2000 began working for a national closet company. She quickly fell in love with the industry, but soon recognized the need for professional closet preparation. Closet companies don’t prepare and paint walls! They design and install new closets. When Teressa’s clients began expressing their frustration with the lack of support in preparing the closet walls, she decided to fill the gap between design and installation by creating Closet Prep and Paint and has been supporting the closet design industry ever since. Her desire was to always put her clients first and make sure they were 100% satisfied with their new closet. Because of Teressa’s background in designing, she understands the installation needs of each closet organizer company and the needs of her clients. She understands the importance of having existing shelves removed and the walls freshly painted to provide a truly beautiful space.
In 2004, Teressa married a native Guatemalan and began to teach herself Spanish. After visiting Guatemala and experiencing the poverty there, Teressa and her husband decided to donate 10% of every job to aid children around the world. They have a goal of giving $16,000 a year to this purpose. So when you do business with Closet Prep & Paint, 10% of your job will go to this charitable cause through World Vision.
Teressa is also an accomplished belly dancer and has participated in the Manassas Christmas parade since 2004 (which is broadcast on Cable TV by Comcast). She has performed at various venues such as the Falls Church Cinema & Draft House (for a movie premier) and at local festivals and schools. She was featured on the front page of the Community Connections Magazine with her dance troupe, Magnificent Belly Dance (owned by Lisa Clark).
Teressa’s grandfather, Graham D. “Speedy” Baker, was a Kentucky Colonel, a champion fiddle player, and had his own radio show in 1946. Having inspired her love of music, Teressa sat first chair in the symphonic band in high school and was the only female trombone player. Her love of music lead her to teach herself the flute. Her favorite song is “In the Garden”, which she plays in dedication to her late grandmother, Earlene Baker, who requested she learn the song shortly before she passed away. Teressa was in the National Honor Society (1984) and listed in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” (1983 & 1984).
Teressa displays passion and excellence in everything she does, personally and professionally. She believes in providing superior customer service and offering the guaranteed lowest price in town. Whether you are working with a closet designer, designing a closet/pantry yourself, or need some help with interior painting; you can count on Closet Prep & Paint to do the job right, on time and for the price quoted.
