Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Walker.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My path to founding Spindle & Oak was probably a bit different than most people would expect. I earned a Bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech (despite marrying a Bulldog!) and studied Industrial Design. I spent my time at Tech nurturing my passion for all things related to designing and building. My studies also allowed me to gain a great understanding and appreciation for the psychology of user-focused design/experience as well as how we can use local, healthy and sustainable resources to build and renovate our homes. I also started designing and building full-scale furniture during my time in college. Since I graduated during a time when design jobs were scarce, I started building a career in marketing and software product management.
Ten years later, I went back to Georgia Tech to earn my MBA and Masters in Industrial Design and continued to advance my career. However, regardless of the places my career took me, I never stopped learning and teaching myself about home renovations, designing interior spaces and new home construction. Professionally, I continued to advance my career as a marketing executive with over 18 years of experience in technology and product management; however, I still felt unfulfilled. It was during weekends and holidays that I spent my time doing what I really loved- renovating my home and the homes of my family and friends. So, I finally decided to make the jump over the proverbial chasm and pursue my passion to design and build beautiful living spaces by founding Spindle & Oak.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth ride. When starting any kind of small business, there are always hurdles to jump over and seemingly impossible obstacles to overcome. Especially when considering the residential construction industry, that already has the negative stigma of being overpopulated with dishonest and untrustworthy contractors. Branding, positioning and marketing yourself as a different kind of breed is always an uphill battle. We rely heavily on word of mouth, customer reviews and social media likes and recommendations to drive most of our leads. Understanding the new homeowner buying journey is instrumental in understanding how we need to market ourselves so that our brand comes up multiple times while the homeowner is doing research about designing their renovation, project, or future home.
Please tell us about Spindle & Oak.
We design/build custom living spaces that make your house feel like your dream home. Founded on the principles of customer service and expert craftsmanship, we strive to stand out from the herd. In this industry, we are constantly working towards fighting the stigma that, unfortunately, comes about due to some of the dishonest people in this industry. As such, Spindle & Oak was founded with Southern values in mind; values that reinforce our commitment to transparency, honesty and positive customer experiences. We’re also extremely proud of our ability to start something from scratch… pursuing “The American Dream;” putting in the hustle to produce visible results. Our roots, Southern values, and faith run deep. We believe that we are here for a purpose, and nothing happens by chance- including our relationship with you, our customers. Our goal is to bring happiness, fulfillment and joy to your life, and we look forward to sharing those emotions with you as you create the home of your dreams.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a southern Baptist home in Georgia. My father was both a preacher and a home builder, as well as a master plumber/electrician/carpenter. So, at a very young age, you could usually find me out in the garage using a saw, nailing together any scrap wood I could find and creating works of art (my brothers and I were very proud of our soapbox derby cars and elaborate tree forts). I learned everything I know construction-wise from my father. Once I was old enough to be on a job site, I spent every opportunity I could working alongside my father during summers and holiday vacations. Not only was I able to learn the intricacies of home building and remodeling from my father, but also the strong work ethic and customer service that go hand in hand with the Southern values we hold today. My mother was also an inspiration and major influence to my skill sets growing up. She was a great artist. She taught me about color theory, design-behavioral psychology and all other aspects of design principles. Together with the grace, patience and skillsets passed down by both parents, my passion for designing and building beautiful and exceptional products came to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spindleandoak.com/
- Phone: 404-951-8818
- Email: marketing@spindleandoak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spindle_and_oak/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spindleandoak/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpindleAndOak
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/spindle-and-oak-sandy-springs
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/spindle-and_oak
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