Baby Boomer Creates Booming Business With Crafty Idea
He took an early retirement when his hobby turned out to be more lucrative than he expected. It was the best surprise of his life.
He always took time to examine things made of wood and metal. These were two mediums where he demonstrated consistent accomplishment and was always interested in what other people created.
He bought a couple of early nineteenth century French daybeds at a collectibles shop loaded with antique furniture. These small one-person pieces were the first sleigh beds he would own.
The sleek wood curling up into a deftly designed top roll that would sometimes go in and others were going out. This was an artist that was always drawn to the details. He loved the way the end boards were capped with rolled peaks.
Craftsmen made their beds to resemble a horse-drawn sleigh. He began working on his first queen sleigh bed for his wife.
He spent hours refining his technique and process which resulted in wonderful king sleigh bed. This one made at the request of a neighbor.
He experimented with various design and construction elements from wood to metal. He even put together a few designs that incorporated both materials.
He spent most of his time working to make the foot boards and headboards more ornate. He was very inventive with his artistic creations. He finally standardized construction methods on his two most popular sizes.
This allowed him to concentrate on unique end pieces that could not be duplicated by mass producers. This became his niche.
His unadvertised beds gained popularity and received kudos in the local daily paper. The article featuring his beds and his unique decorative appointments was also posted online.
The article was seen by a cable television home show producer who did a small segment on his distinctive decorative features. That exposure led to an overwhelming interest by consumers.
His success has grown the enterprise considerably. The end pieces are made with help from two experienced and highly skilled assistants. He employs six people with backgrounds in carpentry and custom wood work.
His matchless creations reflect his personal vision and suggestions from his clients. No one else will have a copy of their bed and each one fetches a price that values their exceptional quality.
He leveraged his skill, knowledge, and enthusiasm into a profitable venture that allows his employees to earn a better than average wage.
The local businessmen acknowledge and appreciate that he purchases materials in the local area where it flows throughout the community. His commute from house to shop is much shorter than his career days. He calls it the scenic route. Others just call his path to prosperity.
