Hello Baby

Crafty Idea Creates Booming Business For Baby Boomer

His unexpected success transformed a hobby into an early retirement. He never suspected that his life would have a surprise ending.

He felt the lure of hand crafted items his entire life. He was always interested in how people used skills like his as a metal fabricator and woodworker to make custom objects.

He purchased his first used sleigh beds at an antique store. They are much like an early 1800 French daybed that was clearly designed for one person.

He liked the flow of the crown rolls and the way they could be fashioned to roll inward or outward. The head and foot boards were distinctive due to the rolled tops and that captivated his attention.

He knew from research that early craftsman worked to create the image of a sleigh pulled by horses. His first creation was the queen sleigh bed he made for his wife.

His next project was a king sleigh bed for a neighbor. It took many hours to produce just one unit.

He experimented with various design and construction elements from wood to metal. He even put together a few designs that incorporated both materials.

He was able to make standard beds after gaining more experience and confidence. He concentrated on the appearance of the headboards and the foot piece. His goal was too create intensely artistic end portions.

His goal was to make what the cookie cutter manufacturers could not duplicate. A genuinely one of a kind piece at each end of the bed would become his niche.

An online newspaper posted an article from their printed version. Because of that article he has never advertised his hand crafted beds anywhere.

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.

He now employs six other cabinetmakers and wood workers to create his basic beds. He works with two assistants to make the decorative additions to the foot and headboards.

The exquisite details are a result of his artistic ingenuity and input from his clients. Each project has a one of a kind fee to match the singularity of each piece he generates.

He has parlayed his skills and interests into a profitable enterprise. His employees make a good living.

His suppliers are all local and that puts funds in circulation where he lives. A nice side effect of his business is that he goes to work on his property. He has truly said goodbye commute and hello to commerce.

(Eng) 100120 Hi Bb Ep1 1/5