Business Owner, Carpenter

➢    Please tell us a little about yourself, your education, and what you do for work.

- I am a finishing carpenter by trade with a focus on residential renovations, from small projects to restoring historical buildings. I’ve acquired skills and knowledge by working in construction beginning at age 17 before graduating high school. After high school, for 9 years I worked as a cabinet maker fine tuning skills in detailing and finishes. Combining the experiences of both of these fields, I then started my own company, Residential Renovators where I employ a team of craftsmen with a focus on excellence and integrity.

➢    What did you want to be when you were 18, and how does that compare to what you are doing now?

- At the age of 18 I wanted to be an architectural engineer. Today, working in construction and home renovations, I am doing something very similar, just without some of the technical programs such as CAD. What I do requires precision, expert knowledge and craftsmanship to give the client an end product they are satisfied with and will last through time.

➢    If a student wanted to do this after high school, what does the path usually look like? What education, training, or certifications actually matter for this job?

- This field is one, if you are determined and willing to learn; it is one you can jump into if you find a skilled craftsman to study under and train you. It’s a very hands-on job and you need to be prepared to do the work. Day’s can be long and it’s laborious but rewarding work. Learning to be an expert builder/carpenter/finisher, takes about a year of hands-on training to become proficient.

➢    What mistakes or wrong turns did you make that students could learn from?

- Remember to be teachable, even when you think you are right. There’s a nuance in blending old and new ways. Just because something, such as a product, has worked in the past, doesn’t mean that there isn’t something new that might work better or give a better result.
In the beginning I found myself overthinking situations and procedures. But as I became more proficient and knowledgeable, the work became easier, more satisfying and rewarding.
 

➢    What does a typical workday look like for you? What time does your day usually start and end?

- For me and my team, a typical day starts at 8am, and finishes around 3 or 4pm. During that time I’m physically working the job site, acquiring supplies if needed, taking business calls and dealing with customer service. It’s a busy day but one with balance.

➢    How do you usually feel at the end of a workday?

- Accomplished. Productive and sometimes tired.

➢    Are there any physical or mental demands people do not expect? What part of the job wears on people the most over time?

- Dealing with customer service and customer relations is a skill sometimes overlooked and it’s a very important part of owning your own business. Building relationships and trust with people can seem taxing and wear you down, but it’s the foundation you build upon to carry your reputation.

➢    What do you enjoy most about this job? What makes you feel like the day was a good one when you clock out?

- Satisfaction is looking back at the progress you have made and seeing a job well done, especially when the job is complete.

➢    What characteristics are important for a person pursuing this job? Who tends to do well in this role?

- As a business owner you need to be charismatic, quick on your feet and knowledgeable in your craft. There’s no getting around experience. You must have experience. Be bold, strong and confident. It helps to have passion for your craft and be driven.
As an individual getting into construction and finishing carpentry, it’s important to have a good attitude. Don’t complain. Be professional. This is a hands-on field and you are going to get your hands dirty. It’s very physically and even mentally demanding. A lot of people are not cut out for this type of work. The ones who succeed are those who enjoy it and find satisfaction in their workmanship.
 

➢    What do you find most stressful or frustrating about this job?

- Waiting on other professionals, such as electricians and plumbers, among others, to arrive and complete their part of the project. It’s important to stay on top of a project's timeline. Waiting around not only delays the project you are working on but also infringes on future projects. The stress comes from holding the entire renovation project together and knowing the exact time when other professionals need to arrive and when their part of the project needs to be completed in order for everything to move forward smoothly to finish on time.

➢    What benefits or trade-offs should students know about before choosing this career path?

- A benefit of this career field is that it is a much needed profession in our area. The work is available. A skilled craftsman can make a solid living wage to provide for a family. Hours, to a degree, can be flexible and you can have a work/life balance.
Another benefit will be the advantage of working on your own property and doing it well.
The trade off is that you have to put in the time and hard work to TRULY understand it and become a master craftsman working in renovations and finished carpentry. The work needs to “click” and have the ability to be consistent in your work.

➢    What does the work/life balance look like?

- On average, I work an average of 32-38 hours a week. I balance the work schedule so that I have the time to spend with my family. And I also do that for the people working under me.
When you have a good home life, it produces a good work ethic, which then is apparent in your work. In turn, work will be more enjoyable because it will give you more life to enjoy.

➢    Does this job provide a stable living in this area?

- Yes. 100%. Especially if you are good.

➢    What surprised you most when you first started?

- It’s hard, laborious work. You will be tired. The work needs to be completed even when the weather is not good. You will work.
 
➢    What are some of the misconceptions people have about this role that students should know?

- Clients often assume their job is easy and not going to take a lot of time. Like when they watch an episode on HGTV. But in real life, there’s no rushing just to hurry and get finished. Using the correct materials and understanding applications, correct measurements and installation; all take time. When you become more knowledgeable and efficient your work will become quicker which saves time. But there is no rushing a job well done.

➢    If you could go back to high school, what would you want to know before choosing this path?

- Two things that seem simple are actually very important to know. First, how to read a tape measure. Second, know and understand math, especially fractions. Being able to calculate fractions in your head and doing it quickly will be imperative to making accurate calculations while completing a project.

➢    Knowing what you know now, would you still choose this career and why?

- Absolutely I would choose this career over and over. It has been more rewarding than I expected. I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing customers, building relationships that often provide even more work. I’m still learning and find that challenging and rewarding at the same time. Seeing a project through from start to finish is extremely satisfying.

➢    Why is this role important to the Ottumwa community?

- In the world of construction there is no “test” to pass to begin working. A person can get a registered LLC, insurance and have a logo to get started. Seems easy. However with the lack of time put in to gain the right skills and knowledge in running a constructing business, you really aren’t going to go far and your reputation, good or bad, will be widely known. There's a huge lack of quality construction and carpentry work that I end up fixing in this area.
If you are willing to step into the role, put in the hard work, learn quality construction skills, be true to your word. Have integrity. Show up and finish the work. You will have more work than time to complete it. This is absolutely a needed role in our community.

➢    What happens here if jobs like this go unfilled?

- When craftsmen no longer have anyone to carry on the tradition of this labor, the character and charm of our community will be lost. The quality of construction will diminish. Homes will be left in disrepair and the knowledge of how to restore or create will be lost.