Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah and Andy Berg.
Hi Sarah and Andy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Latitude Studios Co. is a relatively new company, we are only 10 months old! Andy started this out of the need to create more space for people in a feasible way. The pandemic brought our family to a place where we were not used to being home all the time, and having to work and go to school in our living and bedrooms. Andy began working out in the garage and eventually into his portable enclosed trailer in our driveway (which he typically had used for fishing and camping). Our wheels started turning and the idea for backyard offices started to become something we wanted to really explore.
We loved the idea of creating these with affordability and sustainability. We also had ideas for other ways people could expand the footprint of their house without adding a home addition. Shipping containers came into our thought process and we became so excited to launch something unlike any other company in Minnesota.
By December 1st, we took over the lease of our shop in Ham Lake, MN, and Andy had left his full time Engineering job to pursue Latitude full time. Sarah has also since took a leave of absence from teaching to help with the growth of the company. We have 9 employees now and we have a lot of interest in repurposing containers into a variety of spaces.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a fast ride, but not always smooth! We have faced struggles as we navigate this new world of working together and becoming business owners. One of the hardest adjustments has been leaving behind steady paychecks and benefits to take a leap into something unchartered. Fear and doubt have crept in at times and those days are hard. Thankfully, there is usually only one of us that is most anxious and worried, lol. I won’t name any names (Sarah).
As you know, we’re big fans of Latitude Studios Co. . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Our business takes used shipping containers and upcycles them into beautiful and functional spaces for at home, the lake, your land in the woods, etc. We have 9 employees who are all amazing visionaries and have a ton of talent crafting these containers into customized buildings. We can create them in sizes such as 8×10 studios or sheds, 8×20, or 8×40. We are able to stack them, too! What sets us apart (besides using shipping containers as a structure) is our family-like team that will work with you to build what you need and want. Whether it is a small office, backyard bar, home gym, or extra backyard space in the form of an accessory dwelling unit. We are excited to branch out into something more substantial like a bunkhouse cabin, and even a tiny home! The ideas our customers have for builds has been so fun- we recently completed a sauna and pool house, too.
Our brand prides itself on creating spaces that are multifunctional whenever possible. For example, by day your container space is a tranquil office and by night it is a space to entertain guests by the backyard fire pit or on the roof-top deck! We can create shipping container studios that are seasonal or year-round. They can be quite basic and industrial or completed to be fully disguised. Furthermore, we build them out in our shop so most of the “construction” hassle is not where you are!
The beauty of using containers is their structural integrity and ability to withstand huge amounts of weight. They are meant to go around the world and hold up even when exposed to extreme elements. They are made of corrosion-resistent Cor-ten steel. We carefully engineer and design our container builds to account for proper drainage, air flow, and maintaining and reinforcing structural integrity. We are most proud of our high quality work, attention to detail, and ability to have the highest level of customer service.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think our most valuable characteristic is our genuine care for the client. We want this to go well for them and the process to be as smooth as possible, individual to their needs, and FUN! We are real people trying to change the way people think about traditional building. We are so happy we can provide another option for those wanting to expand their space at home or wherever they want to grow.
Pricing:
- Pricing for our builds truly ranges but typically a studio ranges from $17-25k
Contact Info:
- Website: www.latitude-studios.com
- Instagram: @latitudestudiosco
- Facebook: @roomforfreedom
Image Credits
Mick Schulte
Lucas Underwood
