Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Floer
Hi Jacob , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
So I am Jake, I own Floer Carpentry LLC. Now how did we get there you ask? That is a great question, Let me just think back and see where I should start. It really has been a life long journey.
I have always been an entrepreneur at heart. Even when I was just a young child, I had my own economy. That business was booming. I Had my own currency (Jake Bucks) and I would pay my little sister for helping me with things with this currency (like getting my chores done) and then I opened a store in my closet to her. And different items had different values, she would be able to buy my old toys with the money she made from working for me. Now if only business was that good.
After that I got into the lawn mowing game. I worked for $5 an hour to mow mostly just my grandpa’s yard. That is where I learned to budget. And put money aside in different places to save up for what I needed. One of those funds was a “business fund” I was given the opportunity right after graduating to build a parade float for Version Wireless of Delano. The owner of the store was an old hockey coach of mine growing up and still a mentor to this day. So when I showed up for that first meeting with him, I was prepared. I had a 3 ring binder, pictures of anything I had built prior to show him my work. I gave him the most detailed sketch a young kid with just a pencil and paper could. And that was the day I took my years of savings, that $400, into $800. I will never forget that feeling. I made $400 with a week of hard work, prior to that I my best paying gig was $7.25 in a retail shop a few hours every night. I had always known hardwork payed off but this really showed me what I wanted to do. I should not on that retail shop, that Is really where I i learned to talk to people. My boss, Almond, took me under his wing in that area and it was an extremely impactful job for that reason. He also helped me get into my next field of work which I will menton later.
We should probably back up a little bit here. As I missed a lot. Please forgive me for jumping around. So somewhere between childhood and my first business move I moved my bedroom down into our unfinished basement. Down there I had it all. My weight room, hockey shooting station. But I wanted to learn how to build more. So I thought I would ask dad about a real work bench. He told me that he would buy the materials for me if I was to build it, I certainly couldn’t pass up that opportunity. With a work bench I could do anything, I assumed anyway. I ended up taking a space downstairs that was framed out for a bedroom (was our old playroom) and building it in there. That playroom quickly turned into a shop. One Christmas my mom went black Friday shopping to get me a $50 tablesaw, that was the most exciting possible addition to the collection. I continued to accumulate tools every chance had, at birthdays, Holidays, garage sales. Whatever I could afford in that business fund.
Now after that first kitchen, I still went into the workforce working commercial construction for a few years. But I never stopped doing my work on the side. It was mostly small more crafty type things and would get up to a single cabinet. Remember, I am working in a shop the size of a bedroom. Until the day one of my coworkers parents needed a kitchen. This particular coworker really did believe in me unlike most. And when he asked I jumped at it. I didn’t have the space or the tools to do this but I was going to find a way. I actually rebuilt a small utility trailer so I could haul everything before I even could pickup the material. Once that trailer was built I would come home from work everyday, pickup my trailer, go to Menards and buy a sheet or two of plywood along with some hardwood or anything else I needed. Then haul it all down to the basement and start cutting up that material for the night. I built that entire kitchen with a battery powered circular saw, a piece of square steel tubing for a straight edge and that $50 table saw. But once that was done that bulked up the fund more than ever so I could really start invesing in some better tools. For my future company. I think I charged under $8000 for that kitchen. But at that time that was the biggest number I had ever seen.
Now as far as The work force went. Commercial construction was not near as fun as woodwork. I told everyone that one day I would have a company, I figured by the time I was 30 and no one had faith in me. There wasn’t an ounce of “you can do it” as far as the eye could see. I was so bored going to work doing the same thing everyday. So I saved all my money as I was still young and living at mom and dads house. then when layoffs started coming through the company I was 22. I had always said that I was going to start my company as soon as I got layed off. And it happened way earlier than I ever imagined. I wasn’t at all prepared. But i am a a man of my word so I did what I told myself I was going to do and started an LLC with my mentors help of course. I was able to take all of my savings from that job and I dumped everything into this building I am in now. I was able to make the building liveable and most importantly the shop in a good enough shape that I could start building for people. Now things are expanding and growing at such an exciting rate, we are looking for a bigger space!
I guess moral of the story is I loved building things, I couldn’t afford to just build things for myself much less would I have the place to put it. And its always so rewarding to see the smiling face of someone when you build them just what they dreamed of. So there was no other option but going into business. That love for building has only expanded over the years along with our skillsets, goals, and dreams. Now what I really want is to build something that people can benefit from. Not just setting there plates in but build a business and create jobs, and reach as many people as we can. As well as free up the time so I have the freedom to be interrupted. So I can go out and help friends and family personally when they need help as well free of charge. that’s what we are building now.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am not sure there is such thing as a smooth road in business, there are so many lessons y0u need to learn along the way and lessons are not free. but no matter what the challenge in front of me, I really wouldn’t have it any other way. The reward on the other side is always worth it. any mistake we make or issue we face, whatever it may cost, financially, mentally or whatever it may be, I just count as college tuition.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Floer Carpentry LLC?
We Specialize in Custom Cabinetry, and furniture, we also do finish carpentry such as staircases. as we have grown we have focused mostly on the custom cabinetry. We build a solid plywood construction cabinet. and we really focus in on the quality more than just getting them out. I want our product to be something that lasts a lifetime. It isn’t just about the quality though. Many of our products, weather its a kitchen, or a table, is something you and your family will cook in, do homework around, where you will eat your meals together. what we are creating is a place that could bring your family together and grow. I want that place to be beautiful and memorable. something your kids and grandkids talk about and think about as they are doing the same with there own children someday. I do hope that our products can help bring the family unit back together in some small way. Just by creating a great environment for it.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
the first thing my mentor told me to do, was to try to talk myself out of it. Because business can be hard. If you can’t do that then make the commitment and take the dive. dive into books, personal growth and faith. never stop learning. always keep a goal in front of you and never get satisfied. stay hungry and enjoy the ride. find the good in the struggles, the bumps and bruises. it’s not always going to be glamorous but enjoy those times. and think about how you will laugh at yourself for that struggle one day looking back, thinking “that was nothing”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.floercarpentry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floercarpentry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floercarpentry/
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/woodworkers-and-carpenters/floer-carpentry-pfvwus-pf~1295598529?msockid=3b64178026c4631018af020227ab6299
