Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Otto
Hi Mary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Mary Otto, and my business is called DIY Project Junkie.
How did DIY Project Junkie come to be:
I have always loved to make things pretty, and my brain doesn’t just see a room as what it is – but what it could be!
My hubby (Jeremy) and I built our first two houses ourselves, so we had a lot of construction experience! I grew up on a dairy farm, and he grew up working on farms – so we had hard core work ethics (which since has helped us both tremendously in creating multiple businesses) – so THANKS MOM & DAD for the great upbringing!! I went to college PSEO (during high school) – and completed my 2 year degree in drafting and design, and graduated college a week before high school (mostly I did this because my then boyfriend (now hubby) Jeremy went this route….and I knew I had to pay for my own college – and had zero money saved up for it – so I was like, PSEO it is)!
Back up to the year 2014 – I was selling Thirty-One bags (just so I could get the discount and support my bag addiction, LOL). I had recently made a wood sign for my home and posted my little project on Facebook – and it seemed to get quite a bit of comments. Fast forward a few months, and I was on my way home from a Thirty-One team meeting…was pondering what I could do to entice people with something new to come to my Open House to promote the business. I had a random idea pop into my head (I call them God thoughts….seems to be how God tells me what he wants – with these random ideas). I was going to have a “Wine, Signs, and Bags” party. I immediately called my hubby and was super pumped to tell him about it! I told him I was going to make like 30 signs, invite all of my friends/family, have some wine tastings, and it was going to be AMAZING!!! He said, “dumb, but do whatever!” LOL….in his defense – he does custom farm harvesting, and was super busy in the field – so he was less than thrilled that I was bothering him with this “BRILLIANT” idea! I of course did it – and tons of people came to support me (and mind you this was supposed to be growing my Thirty-One business – not creating a whole new one)! From that party, people requested some custom signs, and I of course said I would make them.
From there I got asked if I was interested in participating in some craft shows. And once again, I said I would love to do that as well (not even then thinking I was creating a business). I was asked to be a vendor in a local store AND…again – I said Yes! I’m so glad I made the leap and went for it! Once I was in the local store, I started building sofa tables, farmhouse tables, or any piece of furniture I found on Pinterest or idea that popped into my head!
I have LOVED this “hobby” that very quickly turned into a full fledged business from day one!!
Why DIY Project Junkie??
I know…it’s a bit of a strange name, but it was selected right off the bat when I did my first craft show -I chose that because….well, I’m addicted to Do-It-Yourself projects! I started in our garage and within a year finished a workshop in our shed, a year after that built my showroom, and from there added onto my workshop well over doubling my workspace!!
AGAIN….I could not have this business if it wasn’t for all of my dedicated customers!! I am SO GRATEFUL for each and every one! But above all else, I most definitely could not have this business without God! Looking back, it has become most apparent at how he has guided me each and every step. How he has given me the wisdom and strength to do each job! He has brought countless customers that I have been blessed to get to know and have many conversations that lead to Faith conversations! I wonder at times if I’m doing what God has intended for me to do with my life, and then each time I wonder that, I end up with a customer reaching out and getting to have a conversation with, that is spreading God’s word, and then I know that I’m on the path he intends!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely is not always sunshine and roses! When I first started, our 3 kids were younger, and we also had a farms parts website that I ran. I was going to quit the DIY business, because with 3 young kids and multiple businesses, I was like, something has got to give! I ended up sticking with it though, and then eventually gave up the farm parts website. It was an incredible business that had allowed me to work from home with my kids, but once my DIY Project Junkie business took off, and it was something I am truly passionate about, I knew right away which one I would give up!
Besides that, there of course are some projects that are just hard on my body (such as ceiling work)…definitely not my favorite. As I am getting older, I build larger projects in more pieces so when carrying into the job, it is a little less grueling.
Another struggle was on how to grow my business! So many people that do what I do have grown with multiple employees so they can do more jobs. I did decide from early on that I wanted to be the sole builder and do the jobs start to finish, so I could continue to do what I love, and not just end up managing people. I do have the help of my husband and kids, and my sister when I need to move heavier pieces out of the workshop, and into installs. But otherwise – I run solo.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about DIY Project Junkie?
Business name:
DIY Project Junkie
My slogan: I help make your house a home one project at a time
I honestly don’t necessarily specialize in one thing. I basically call it – bringing your Pinterest boards to life! I do anywhere from making a custom sign or wall art to dec0rate your space with, to painting the walls, painting your kitchen cabinets or trim, to adding a wall finish such as shiplap or board and batten, to installing custom build cabinets to your space!
I also have a showroom on my property that I do seasonal sales (spring, fall and Christmas sales) with everyday decor and seasonal decor!
What sets me apart from others? That’s always a tough question to answer, because there are incredible people in this industry, and so many that do equally awesome work! I just strive to do the best work possible. Listening to my customers and what they would like to accomplish. I communicate with them often what the scope of the project will be and the timeframe for completion. As well as making sure I leave the space nice and clean when I’m done with the project so they can enjoy their home and not having to clean up after me! When doing the projects I do, there are typically budget constraints – so I help them on how to do things in phases, as well as at times advise them on how they can do so things themselves and hire me for other things that they aren’t able to do.
What am I most proud of brand wise? I’m going to actually rephrase that question, because I don’t want to be prideful! I want to be thankful – and like I said earlier – I am above all else THANKFUL and GRATEFUL to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He is the ONLY reason that I have this business! And he is just so good! He walked me through each step. The beginning, I started with hand painted signs, then learning as I went – to the next bigger thing….going from sofa tables, to dining room tables, to barn doors, to wood accent walls, to custom cabinets! He helped me with each addition to my business – in adding on to my workshop multiple times and my showroom! When I say that he helped me – I mean in the sense that, when it came time to need a bigger space, he blessed me with my husband’s support. He blessed me with Ram Buildings (who I worked for back when my oldest son was a baby), had sudden openings to be able to do the work immediately. And then the cement company also was able to do the work in the exact time period I needed it. And next the plumbing and heating company was able to come in the exact time as well! I just knew that these things do not fall into place like that normally, and was just so incredibly thankful for his blessings! This still of course meant a ton of work for myself and my family, but without his help and guidance it definitely wouldn’t have happened!
Also looking back, I’m so thankful for the work ethic and skills my business and my husbands business has allowed for my kids to be able to partake in and learn so many valuable skills themselves!
What do I want others to know about my business? That I care about your home just as if it were my own! If I wouldn’t skip on steps in my home to complete a project, I am not going to skip on them in your home! The bible verse I use to represent my business is: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people!”
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I LOVE listening to podcasts while I work! And especially since I work by myself 95% of the time, and working with loud saws and sanders, I can then put on my noise cancelling headphones and pop on a podcast and get to work!
Years back it was alot of business ones I listened to, and then in the past 5 years it’s mostly been faith based and business in faith ones! Here are my FAVORITES:
1) Unashamed with the Robertson Family
2) Christine Caine Equip and Empower
3) Get your hopes up with Christy Wright
4) The Jennifer Allwood Show
5) Graham Allen’s Dear America Podcast
6) The Church of Eleven22
7) WHOA That’s Good Postcast with Sadie Robertson Huff
I try to listen to things that will enrich my soul, and fill it with God empowering information!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.diyprojectjunkie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diy_project_junkie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diyprojectjunkie
