Page 25 - CMA PROfiles Fall 2018

20TH ANNIVERSARY NOW AND THEN

Going all in are a great resource; there is so quality of speakers was amazing,

on CMA
much info there that you don’t get
but I also loved the opportunity to
resources anywhere else. I’ve learned that talk with so many people — from
there truly isn’t a dumb question,
owners of two-person shops to
others with 30- to 40-person shops.
and many members have been
through the same situations and are I couldn’t put a price tag on the
more than willing to offer advice information I walked away with.
and assistance.
• Years ago, we went to a CMA event
• Developing ongoing connections and took a class called “The Art of
The Cabinet Makers Association offers has been key. Being new to the Euro Pricing Profitably,” taught by Sean
a wealth of knowledge, and it’s played method, for instance, I’ve needed to Benetin. If we hadn’t taken that class,
a big part in our efforts to continually bounce ideas off more experienced we probably would have tanked in
learn and improve our business. people, s0 I’ve picked up the phone the Great Recession. We were trying
• We’ve attended a few CMA regional quite a few times and called other to get jobs at very slim margins, and
events. It’s awesome to talk to CMA members: “How would you do after taking this class, we realized we
peers who are not in your region/ this? How would you approach this had to make some decent money in
selling areas so you can get advice. situation?” All of the members are order to survive.
We hosted our own regional event very open to questions like this. • In July 2017, I was voted in as a
about six weeks ago just to give • The 20th Anniversary Conference Board Member, and I’ve enjoyed this
back to everyone who has helped in March was the best money I opportunity to serve the members
us so much. invested in our company. It was and contribute to the growth and
• The online discussion forums refreshing and energizing. The momentum of the association.

a big topic in our industry. Recruiting from the local high school from high school, and one was in a summer internship program.
woodshop program has really helped us with this in recent years. Everybody talks about the millenials and their work ethic, but I

We’ve brought in four kids this way — three just graduated can’t say enough good things about these kids. They work just as
hard as any of the veterans I have and will do anything for you.
Any shop that is struggling to find good help needs to start
developing a relationship with local shop teachers. If your area
schools don’t have shop programs, start working with them
to help implement programs in their local schools and trade
schools. It’s been awesome for us.

GRATITUDE
We're happy that the CMA invited us to reflect on the past few
years. If Shelley and I had not joined the CMA, our cabinet shop
would not be what it is today. It’s exciting to look back at our
vision of where we wanted our company to go, and see how far
we’ve come in just four years!

Want to read the 2015 profile of Cabinet Concepts by Design?
Go to cabinetmakers.org, click the news tab and then click
“PROfiles” from the drop-down menu. Several years’ worth
of magazines are online.

CABINET MAKERS ASSOCIATION 23