by /
Scott Klintworth is one of my students from the Applied Digital Marketing course I taught at Johns Hopkins University. He and his wife Debbie took over Sloan Appliance, a family business that’s been serving the South Carolina Midlands since 1958.
What they’re doing at Sloan Appliance reflects exactly what we teach — how to build trust, serve your community, and grow a local service business the right way. This is the kind of impact we want every student to make.
Sloan Appliance started with Leo and Virginia Sloan, who quickly earned a reputation for top-notch service. In the 1960s, a Whirlpool executive was so impressed that Sloan became one of the first factory-authorized service centers in the country.
Over the years, the company expanded across the region while staying focused on quality. Fred Holbrook took over in 2010, growing service into areas like Aiken and Charleston while keeping that same commitment to excellence.
In 2023, Scott and Debbie stepped in with over two decades of industry experience. They took the reins with a clear mission: honor the legacy while continuing to innovate and serve the community.
As Scott Klintworth said upon the acquisition, “We are dedicated to upholding the legacy of quality service that the company has established while also exploring opportunities for growth and innovation in the field.” Under this new ownership, the company still continues to do business as Sloan Appliance and keeps its local focus and trusted name.
Through each generation of owners, Sloan Appliance has stayed synonymous with reliability and hometown service in the Cayce and Columbia area.
Customer Testimonials & Online Reviews
One of the strongest reflections of Sloan Appliance’s reputation comes from its customers. Across platform after platform, Sloan earns high marks for service quality. On Angi (formerly Angie’s List), the company holds an overall 4.6 out of 5 star rating across nearly 200 customer reviews.
Over 80% of Angi reviewers give Sloan a full 5-star score, citing the company’s consistency and expertise. “They do very consistent work. They are very good and thorough… If you want it done right the first time, give them a call,” wrote one customer after a repair.
Sloan also earns roughly a 4.6-star rating on Google. Customers frequently single out technicians by name. “Our stove was checked out by [a] service representative, Jaden. He was very professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend Sloan Appliance Service,” one homeowner shared.
Another customer wrote on Yelp, “I am surprised to see even a single negative review of Sloan Appliance. Any time that we’ve had a choice, we have always chosen Sloan and never been disappointed.”
Yet another highlighted the staff’s punctuality: “Frank was professional, on time, and had all the tools necessary to complete the repair.”
These experiences translate into trust. Many clients are repeat customers who have relied on Sloan for multiple appliance issues over the years.
The Better Business Bureau tells the same story — Sloan holds an A+ rating, the highest possible, and is an accredited business committed to BBB’s Standards for Trust.
Awards & Recognition
The recognition goes well beyond star ratings. In the Columbia area, readers of The State voted Sloan the “Best of” Appliance Repair Service four years in a row — 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
On the manufacturer side, Whirlpool Corporation has honored Sloan with its national Excellence in Service Award more than once. Sloan was one of just four service providers in the country to receive it when first recognized, earned it for the second year in a row at Whirlpool’s 2018 national convention, and won it again in 2020. The award reflects customer satisfaction, fast completion times, and a high first-call fix rate.
Sloan also earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2019 — a distinction reserved for the top tier of service businesses on the platform.
Factory-Authorized, Factory-Trained
Awards follow the work. Sloan is a factory-authorized service provider for premium brands including Sub-Zero, Viking, Bosch, Thermador, and Wolf, along with GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, and many more. That authorization means technicians get brand-specific training, use genuine factory parts, and protect the manufacturer’s warranty on every repair.
The company has been a member of the United Appliance Servicers Association since 2010, and stands behind its work with factory-honored warranties and a satisfaction guarantee on every repair.
Building Your Brand with Purpose
Scott and Debbie’s journey with Sloan Appliance shows what happens when you combine dedication with the right strategies. If you’re looking to build your personal brand and make a difference in your community, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is the CEO of Local Service Spotlight, a platform that amplifies the reputations of contractors and local service businesses using the Content Factory process. He is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other brands.
Dennis has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs by partnering with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Through Local Service Spotlight, he teaches the Dollar a Day strategy and Content Factory training to help local service businesses enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring.
Dennis coaches young adult agency owners serving plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians, and believes there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers must be certified. He has appeared on 353 podcasts with 619 credited episodes — see the full list of his podcast appearances.