An Interview with Corey McMullan

January 4, 2023

This post is an interview with Corey McMullen, but who is Corey McMullan, and why would Bar Keeper Friend want to interview him? His LinkedIn profile shares that Corey is a “Dynamic, hands-on executive with a lifetime of experience within the major appliance, bedding, furniture, and consumer electronics retail industry. Over 17 successful years in various roles at the industry’s largest buying group creating retail solutions, merchandising programs, and providing support to hundreds of independent retailer members across the country.”

His love of Bar Keepers Friend products brought him to our attention. In a TikTok video, he described BKF as possibly alien technology or ground-up wizards.

An Interview with Corey McMullan

TikTok

When I chatted with Corey, I asked him how he became a rising star on TikTok. I told him I wasn’t a TikTok expert, but he looked different from most of the TikTok Influencers I’d seen. He agreed with me and told me it was a surprise for him too. I immediately liked this guy. He said he started doing videos on YouTube and then transitioned to TikTok. It wasn’t until he turned the camera on himself that he made an impact. If you watch his videos, you can see why. He’s funny, genuine, and entertaining.

From 8,000 to 419,000 Followers!

He went from a few hundred followers to 8,000. Then in March 2020, he was featured on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company), and his followers jumped to 44,000. Next, he was part of a Canadian TikTok business forum and, after that, a global forum. He currently has 419,000 followers!

How Did You Discover BKF? 

I asked Corey how he discovered Bar Keepers Friend. He told me his store, McMullan Appliance and Mattress, located in Ontario, received an antique chrome range that was dull and stained. He said it was in pretty bad shape, and he wondered, out loud, how he could clean it. A vendor who was visiting his store suggested Bar Keepers Friend. Corey told me he’d heard of BKF but had never used it. He bought some powder at his local Canadian Tire Store and was absolutely blown away at how easy it was to use and the great job it did. He said when he was finished, the stove looked almost new.

What BKF Products Do you Use?         

I asked Corey what BKF products he used. He mentioned the original Bar Keepers Friend and Soft Cleanser, our BKF Cooktop Cleaner, Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish, Toilet Bowl Cleaner, and he told me he uses Bar Keepers Friend More Spray + Foam in his shower.

I asked him what stories he’d heard about BKF, and he mentioned a customer using it to remove hair dye stains from a porcelain sink and many examples of cleaning appliances of all sorts, from freezers to stoves.

Why Talk about BKF Products?  

Corey told me he shared videos about BKF products when he wasn’t affiliated with us, getting paid, or selling our products in his store. He said no one could pay him enough to promote any product he didn’t believe in. Corey said he loves the product and the company’s time in business. He appreciates that Bar Keepers Friend is authentic and passionate about its products and shares a genuine voice, not using some spokesperson or animated character to promote its products. He’s had countless followers tell him how, after watching his videos, they used BKF products that brought an heirloom, old sink, or appliance back to life.

@mcmullanappliance

I’m amazed, thanks AJ! @barkeepersfriend #bkf #appliances #retail #cleaning #cleantok #cleaner #clean

♬ AFRO FUNK – MicroTunes

Here at Bar Keepers Friend, we’re flattered and appreciative that Corey loves our products. Thank you, Corey!

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek and on weekends (after COVID-19) he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.