I have a friend, Larry, who’s a pretty amazing woodworker. Larry apprenticed with a woodworker in Seattle for seven years and then struck out on his own. As Larry had an eye for detail the master woodworker he apprenticed with convinced him that he should build highly customized, one-of-a-kind kitchen and living room tables.
Larry’s work was extraordinary. But while he managed a few customers in those first couple of years, he was barely making a living. It was just too hard to find people who really wanted a custom table.
Yet, for Larry, his heart wasn’t in it. He enjoyed the design and the crafting of these pieces of art, but he wasn’t sure this was his calling.
So he moved back to Ann Arbor from Seattle and began a home renovation company with a long-time friend. They niched themselves doing upscale remodels and additions and made their focus about quality and customized solutions. Larry did the design and custom woodwork – banisters, closets, trim work, etc. Yet he excelled in designing and remodeling kitchens and bathrooms.
I went with Larry once to a job site. It was amazing to watch him walk around a kitchen and develop a layout. In minutes he could come up some incredible ideas. I once asked him what he saw when he walked into a space. He told me that he completely ignores what’s there. He pictures the room completely empty – no cabinets, no appliances, no sink, etc. Then he considers where the doors and windows are and how the family will use their kitchen. He also takes into account unique features and shape of the space he’s in. Then he just imagines where things should go. The sink needs to go here, the stove there, etc. It’s remarkable. The day I went with Larry he had the outline for a design mapped out in about 15 minutes.
Now he’s working with $150,000 and more kitchen remodels, so people are spending good money. So he takes measurements, talks to his clients, and then enters all the room information into a computer program that generates a three-dimensional representation of the room. Then he begins placing the cabinets and appliances as he imagines them. This way he can show his design to his clients. It’s pretty neat.
Anyhow, Larry has designed some absolutely beautiful kitchen out of what was once ugly, unusable space. The project I went with him on, he opened a wall and found a chimney made of old brick. His team cleaned the brick, glazed it and made it the centerpiece of the design. When finished, it was stunning.
What’s happened for Larry is he found what he loves doing. He loves taking spaces in people’s homes and redesigning and then building them so they become the most loved rooms in the house. We had lunch after I visited the job site with him. We spent an hour talking about design. As he paid the check, I told him, “you’re not a woodworker, you’re a designer. It’s just you have the skills to create your designs.”
He’s never thought about it that way before. He’d always thought of himself as a woodworker. So he stopped and thought about it…”you’re right,” he said, “Boy that changes things a bit, doesn’t it?”
And it did. He began marketing himself, and hence his remodeling business with is partner as a design firm who could also build. Pretty rare combination. Yet it’s making them more successful every year.
Plato once said, “All things will be produced in superior quantity and quality, and with greater ease, when each man works at a single occupation, in accordance with his natural gifts, and at the right moment, without meddling with anything else.”
Larry has definitely found how he can make a living, a pretty good living, from his natural gifts. How are you using your natural gifts in your business? How do your gifts give you an advantage in the marketplace?
And if you’re not fully using your natural gifts, or if your not doing what you’re naturally great at, why?
Let’s talk about it.
photo courtesy of Meadowlark Builders.
I have very random thinking patterns. Most people who know me think “wow how did you think of what you just said, your weird” However I have ended up in a field were “new ideas and approaches” are highly valued. It has been tough to learn to harness the power, but I am doing pretty well.
As far as quality of the work? Since I am absolutely obsessed with my work, the quality comes naturally, since I just obsess over it so much both on and off hours.
I value the quality of craftsmanship. My blog even shows it!
I don’t shop at Wal-Mart for many reasons, but instead shop locally and find things that no-one else has. If you have a skill, you have the ability to have what YOU want, not what everyone else has.
I love works which are only made by wood.
Could your friend Larry show us some more pictures of his work?
This would be really amazing.
I’ve been struggling to find what truly drives me as of late. Do you have any suggestions on how to find that out? I know it’s a loaded question, but I am at a point in my life where I need a bit of guidance in the right direction.
I love to solve problems and create intriguing solutions for people. They say I am a programmer, but I hate that. Much like your friend, I am not that which I skill in, I am a problem solver. Now, what to do..
Sometimes you are your own worse enemy when it comes to being successful. Your friend didn’t think of himself as anything more than a woodworker until you pointed it out to him…which made all the difference. As Franklin Roosevelt said, the only thing to fear is fear itself. Once you over come your own doubts, you’re already on the road to success. I’m curious to know how his business is going given the current state of the real estate market.
Dawud, I agree that knowing your natural talents is key in developing a successful and rewarding life. But I had another thought as I read the entry about your friend and his design/woodworking business. He may be a designer, and from what you say, he’s very talented at it (and that’s a good thing), but he’s also a salesperson. I work with a lot of clients in the design community, and one of the things I work with them on is learning that–usually–their main job is to generate revenue (sales), they just design as a means to that end. From the sounds of it, the gentlemen in your article is doing well, so that must mean he has some real sales skill in addition to his design skill.
I wrestle with this too, as I am trying to make a living as a graphic designer of quality work. However quite often a potential client will want to purchase my design work at a rate where I can not afford the time to provide a quality solution. Thus in the end the final product is not good; I am unhappy and the client is unhappy. I’m learning, much like your friend the carpenter/designer, that you have to stick to your niche and do what you love. Thanks for the post!
Ah, I was just thinking about something similar the other day! All the other things I have worked at or dabbled in have indeed been the creative field. Put that together with web design and development and you get quite creative indeed. 🙂 it really does open doors wider, and I also think the more varied your experiences, the better you can serve your clients.
Web Design,
How, then, do you manage work-life balance?
Sally,
Hey, this is a photo of his work. Beautiful, isn’t it?
Melaine,
I agree. And how do you balance what you want with what your customers want?
Josh,
Have you considered combining what you love what with what you do? Is there a way, for instance, to be a teach or consult on programming?
If not, what is one thing you’d love to be doing for a living?
J Richey,
They’re actually doing quite well. They’ve positioned themselves in two rather robust niches – high-end remodels and eco-friendly building. Can’t say they’re both recession-proof. But since they’re targeting people with disposable income, they continue to be very busy. Last I spoke with Larry, they have contracts through 2010.
James,
Listen to your friend. Sometimes it’s necessary to take work just to pay the bills. But your end game should be working with clients who recognize, need and can pay for your level of work. If you don’t have that now, reposition yourself and change your marketing strategy.
Andrea,
True. One thing small business owners often miss is that they are unique. They’re unique because of their various experiences. Learn how to leverage and integrate your life experiences into your work and you’ve got an advantage over those who don’t.
Sales Training,
It’s actually his business partner who’s the salesman. Yet you’re right. We have to consider how we’re going to sell what we have to offer. We have to know that people want – and need – it.
How are you doing that with your business?
I have a natural gift for inspiring and encouraging others so life coaching was a no-brainer. I also love to rally folks around their empowerment so I’m now marketing coaching groups more.
I watched a great video web conference today about finding your passion. The speakers talked about making your passion your professiona nd having a life not a career. You friend made taht choice and like many people never had to regret it.
In my role as a sales mentor and trainer, I focus a great deal of time helping people that do not have a passion for sales seeing that they should do something else. Monet is not everything.
Great post.
Love this question(s)
I think it is very important for people to discover what they are passionate about. What drives and motivates them?
@Josh
I know exactly where you are comming from. Though it sounds “old fashioned” – I would start with grabbing some paper and beging writing down some thing.
1st – start writing down all your skills – things you are technically good at.
2nd – write down all your interests – things you like doing, learning about, hobbies etc.
Now take both lists and circle the things you would do the rest of your life REGARDLESS if you got paid to do them.
After you’re done, check to see if there are similarities and any overlapping of what you circled. Write these down on what will be your passion list.
Now you have a good compass to take the next step. I’ve recently done this and it has helped – hope it helps you!
I’m a writer. If I don’t consider the quality of what I’m doing, my work doesn’t sell. Period.
Mari:
Same here, We’re a web design company. If we don’t create high quality work people don’t come back, and more importantly don’t recommend us.
WOW – this is so what I just went through. I have always considered myself a web designer. That was okay and parts I loved – but I wasn’t getting more business.
I have always said that I hated sales and didn’t want to cold call. To me, that is what selling was.
Well – now I am the sales/project manager. I have people that actually do all of the coding, seo, etc for me. I love it! Business has been great and I am so much happier!
People should stop worrying about titles and what they mean. Then they will see what they love to do!
Tom,
And how’s that working for you?
Karl,
Money is not everything – that’s for sure. It’s in clear that when you combine your passion with what you do for a living, making money becomes easier – and more interesting?
Dave,
So what drives and motivates you?
Mari,
Great point. So how do you stay inspired to do great work?
Strange,
Here, here! How do you balance high quality work with fair pricing?
Brooke,
Perfect. What did you go through in changing your role in your business?
Is like music, the best bands are not necessary successful. Being talented and realize what you really are in your environment is a good start point but not enough. Great Promotion, a good marketing plan, keep in mind usability for improving your products and/or services, keeping a nice and polite contact with your customers (and possible customers too), being updated with the last news of your work – art universe, etc, etc. Of course many of us cant handle all. I think is just about realize that we really need more than talent to succeed, keep in mind all the points and just manage what we can really do great. For the rest we can hire someone.
It sounds like a miracle, you know. The point that the way you think of yourself makes all the difference. Woodcarver and designer… Failure and Success… I’d love to meet somebody who’d tell me what I am thinking wrong about me:)
I offer something that everyone needs and so i think i stand out in the pack when it comes to looking for quality at a reasonable price. This is what separates me from the pack. And i can compete with the big name stores because i buy from were they buy from i just don’t have to charge you the consumers the high prices.The furniture industry is something that i have come to love. And i enjoy being able to help people and help them save a buck or two at the same time. check out my site http://www.aeasyplan.com
He may be a designer, and from what you say, he’s very talented at it (and that’s a good thing), but he’s also a salesperson.
I think that we aren’t limited to just one calling and it’s great when one person is talented in different complementary skills, like design and woodworking.
I’m of the opinion that quality work like this sells itself. I know many craftsmen stay in business and thrive just through word-of-mouth advertising. I see many ideas I want to incorporate into my house and get recommendations from friends on who I can trust when I’m thinking about major remodels.
I am starting my own business, and I focus on quality. Of course I LOVE what I do, alot. I do it mostly because I love it. Naturally if you love doing something you’ll put more effort and time into perfecting whatever it is your doing, rather than just getting it over with to make a buck.
People who do a fast job and get away with crappy world, don’t get away with it for long. The bad quality of their work eventually catches up with them, and it will eventually take a huge toll on their business and customer base. I personally like to do the best job I can so I get more calls in the future!
This is a great example of making your passion your profession. Larry’s amazing. Woodworking is not only a cool hobby but can be a profitable business, too.