Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Smith.
Hi Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I never envisioned being a second-generation owner of a small business, but the cards ended up playing out that way. I grew up blocks away from where Carter Avenue Frame Shop was originally located (not that we have moved far) in the Saint Anthony Park neighborhood.
My father was the business owner from before I was born, so it was always an aspect of my life, whether I swung by to check in after school to later youth years doing minor tasks to make a couple of extra bucks. Saint Anthony Park is kind of like a small town, just completely centered between the Twin Cities. The tight-knit community meant people knew my dad (Tim) as the frame shop owner, and then also knew me as his son. However, I was not particularly interested in the art growing up. There was never a conversation between him and me that had some sort of indication that taking over the business was an option. I had other priorities, some of them not so great, which lead to a little bit of a strained relationship with my parents during my later teen years.
I don’t think that inspired much confidence for my father to include me in something he worked so hard to build up. In my senior year of high school, I ended up landing myself in the juvenile justice system after some boneheaded choices. However, as it played out, I met some good role models and learned a little bit about the direction my life could continue to go if I didn’t make some different choices.
This leads me to obtain a degree in criminology in college. I continued with that immediately after graduation working as a probation officer in Duluth, MN with juveniles, hoping to provide some insight of my own that would help these young folks make some better decisions as well if able.
This was short-lived, however, as the county ran out of funding for my position. I ended up working in various roles supporting people with disabilities. Although this is very much-needed work and rewarding in certain aspects, it also burnt me out very quickly. I knew it wasn’t something that I was going to be able to continue to pursue a career path.
In the winter of 2016, I received a phone call from my father. By this time, we had a good relationship again, but neither of us was chatty people, so it was somewhat surprising to receive the call. Before I answered, I had thought to myself, I wonder if he needed help at the shop. Sure enough, an employee had just left and Tim needed help and was ready to pursue the idea of a business partnership at Carter Avenue Frame Shop. Without a moment of second-guessing, I agreed right then to jump on board. My first day working for Tim was March 2nd, which just so happens to also be both of our birthdays (I was born on his 30th b-day… the best gift he ever received).
After a year of working strictly as an employee, we determined that I had the ability and desire to take on the business long-term. I bought into the business the part owner in 2017 and then completed the full purchase in 2019 (again on our birthdays, my 30th and his 60th).
Working with my father was a blast. It was like no other working experience I have ever had because nothing had to be held back. I got a very blunt, very detailed crash course in effectively designing and producing quality custom picture framing. I learned about art styles and concepts. I started paying attention to the decor in every surrounding I entered. We attended conferences together. I am a good enough problem solver that I was able to bring quality thoughts and ideas to the table that he hadn’t considered.
Most importantly though, he coached me on how to run a small business, which requires so much of your time and energy to be placed in every direction. I can only hope that I keep Carter Avenue Frame Shop running for another 45 years.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It defiantly hasn’t been a smooth road. As I said, starting in a situation where I landed myself in the justice system doesn’t exactly say smooth sailing. I think one of the biggest concerns that I had going into this big just to work with my father and possibly take over the business, is what if it didn’t work out?
What if I was terrible and he needed to let me go? What if after a previously strained relationship that had healed, working together brought out the worst in our thoughts of one another? Fortunately, I get to sit here and write this today rather than tell a story of how I burned my dad’s business to the ground.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We specialize in custom picture framing, and likely if you have heard of us, it would be from someone’s picture in their home that you commented on and they told you where they framed it. We also sell original artwork and prints, and offer installation services and onsite art consultation services (for those of you who need some professional assistance with your art).
What sets us apart is the quality of the service you will receive from beginning to end. When you are coming to us for framing, we want to help you to the best of our ability for your project.
Sometimes that is us making recommendations for your project that you may not have thought of, sometimes that is just taking an order from you because you have a specific thought in mind, but the designers (myself included) you work with at the counter are the people that see the production through.
We are doing everything in-house and respecting your items along the way. We don’t want to just maximize one sale, we want you to know us and we want to know you, and be your framer for life.
What are your plans for the future?
We recently just did some rebranding of a new logo and website. We will continue to make tweaks and upgrades to the website to make that the best source of information for people.
I recently purchased the physical building we operate in as well, so making some improvements to our footprint is on my mind. Thinking forward though, we are considering an addition to the back of the building. This would allow us to alter our working space, acquire different types of equipment and have a better art gallery area.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carteravenueframeshop.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/carter_ave_frame_shop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=carter%20ave.%20frame%20shop
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carter-avenue-frame-shop/about/
