Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Grose.
Hi Samantha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up, I admired my dad for making a bold career shift from police officer to small business owner in real estate. I was right there with him, exploring parade homes and soaking up everything about new builds and the world of real estate.
That early exposure fueled my passion for architecture and design, setting me on a path that led to a double major in architecture and art. After college I worked for a small firm and got to wear many hats and secured my love for small business.
After my second baby and with my boss retiring, I decided to start Oak & Arrow instead of joining a big firm. The week I was supposed to interview, the company I was eyeing filed for bankruptcy. I took it as a sign and launched my own business right after my maternity leave.
As a busy mom of two fun and wild boys, I want to have the flexibility to not miss out on raising my kids but also have a career that feeds by drive. I can’t say enough about my team and how much they mean to me because with out them we wouldn’t have this great small business that is always striving to give myself and my employees a strong balance of work and home life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, as I just mentioned I started this business with a 3 month old and 2 year old right on the heels of covid. With two young kids I had to be laser focused when I was working because my time was so precious. Then we were only a year in and one of our projects was right by Minnehaha park during the George Floyd riots and the gas station around the corner was burned down. We had to call in a huge favor and pull the dumpster on a weekend because we were worried it would get set on fire. After that we had the challenge of the supply chain issue that lead to some projects not moving ahead.
In all honesty it such a stressful start that nothing we face these days even compares. Blessing in disguises for sure because we have learned to be creative and flexible through all these challenges and become a strong team. Our business is run better because of all we learned going through the early challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a busy mom of two fun and wild boys, I understand how important it is to have a well-designed home that fits your lifestyle. I bring a unique perspective and a fresh approach to the world of renovations and custom builds. From your initial in-home consultation to the final reveal, my team and I focus on tailoring each design detail to fit the way you actually live. I love a layered approach to design, fusing different styles and architectural elements to create rich, livable spaces.
Oak + Arrow specializes in mindfully made homes where honest communication meets intentional design. We promise to take you from feeling of overwhelm to one of clarity with our first step, a concept plan. My goal is to make your home renovation or custom build journey enjoyable and hassle-free, delivering a home you’ll love for years to come.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the strong personalities of all the neighborhoods in Minneapolis and the park systems that run throughout the city. Our climate it tough on homes! I love winter and get outside as much as possible to enjoy it but the extreme cold and hot take a toll on our housing stock for sure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oakarrowhomes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakarrowhomes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakarrowhomes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oak-arrow-homes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@oakarrowhomes4893
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/oak-and-arrow-homes-pfvwus-pf~1795249018?
