April Berlinger, founder of Seaside Closets, grew up in Lewes and graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 1997. She didn’t follow the traditional path into entrepreneurship.

After graduating as a junior, she moved in with her grandfather to help support him. She pursued studies in human resources, but at the same time, she started working as a bartender. That's how she met her husband.

After giving birth to their son, she began working at Sussex Eye Center. She enjoyed her job, but when twin daughters arrived, she chose to stay at home and be a full-time mom. When she felt the time was right to go back to work, she joined a local remodeling company as its general manager for two years – an experience that helped lay the groundwork for what would come next.

April eventually decided she wanted to start her own business, doing something that could take advantage of her unique skills. In talking with her husband about what that might look like, she quickly grabbed onto the idea of starting a custom closet business.

“I’ve always been an artsy and creative person, and working with people to help bring their ideas to life was very appealing to me,” she said.

April most enjoys the design aspects of the business, especially the customer interface. With the variety of options Seaside Closets offers her customers, a closet is something a new homebuyer can truly customize. As April says, “No two closets are ever the same, and they can be tailored specifically to the wants and needs of each customer, which gives me the opportunity to utilize my creative instincts.” 

Thus, Seaside Closets was born from a simple idea: combine creativity, organization and timing in the construction process. Rather than operate like a traditional closet company, the business works directly with builders, allowing new homebuyers to design and install custom closets during the construction phase. This approach ensures closets are complete and ready for use at move-in, eliminating the need for post-construction work and providing homeowners with storage solutions tailored to their specific needs. April estimates that 40% to 50% of the clients she connects with choose to move forward with custom designs. 

This builder-focused model has allowed Seaside Closets to grow efficiently without relying heavily on traditional marketing. Instead, those savings are passed onto her clients. However, with her retail design center location on Route 9 in Harbeson, April does offer a custom closet solution directly to people who walk-in off the street. Presently, retail customers represent about 20% of the business, and that number continues to grow. 

Many people moving to the area are downsizing, with storage space becoming a top priority for them. One of the most requested features is drawer space, because it’s an easy way for a homeowner to increase organization and usable storage within a closet. 

April launched Seaside Closets in September 2024, and it has grown to seven full-time employees. Like many small businesses, early challenges including hiring and retention, particularly for installation crews. To build a reliable team, April guaranteed consistent hours for new employees, a decision that quickly paid off as the business gained momentum. Additionally, her installation people have the luxury of working indoors regardless of weather. For people who may have previously worked outside in the construction business, they now have a more comfortable year-round environment in which to work. 

As April looks into her crystal ball, she envisions Seaside Closets growing as the local housing market continues to grow. While there are no plans for multiple locations, April believes the company may eventually outgrow its current space as retail and builder demand for customized closets increases. 

As an entrepreneur, April balances time with her new business and time with her family. When she does have spare time, she enjoys reading suspense novels and spending time with her children. She recognizes her children won’t be young forever and ensures she gets to spend quality time with them. 

Like many businesses these days, Seaside Closets is using modern technology to help enhance its online presence. From an easily navigated website to more interactive customer experiences, AI has played a role in strengthening the company’s online presence and accessibility. 

If April could go back in time and give her 18-year-old self some advice, it would be to take more risks. April has learned from her life experiences that we never know everything that’s going to happen to us, and by taking some risks, it can give you more control over what life does send your way. Taking that risk with Seaside Closets has opened up a whole new world for April. At the same time, it has given her customers the opportunity to change their home and make their living space both more personalized and efficient.