Page 30 - CMA PROfiles Fall 2018

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

GETTING PERSONAL members on speed dial for extra
During this year’s IWF show in sticky situations.
Atlanta, I had a special opportunity
to see a personal project by Chris I want to make sure you’re making
Dehmer of Dark Horse Woodworks the most of your CMA membership.
(who is also the Vice President of This group has a wealth of resources
the CMA’s Board of Directors). to make your business more
professional and profitable, but it
This past year, Chris took on the all has to start with YOU. The value
task of remodeling his own kitchen, of your CMA membership is truly in
and in the blog on his website, he your hands: You get out of it what
equates his situation to the cobbler you put into it.
finally making shoes for his children! For more ways to get involved,
As I’m sure you know, your own visit www.cabinetmakers.org/get-involved or contact one
projects fall to the wayside due to other priorities – and paying of the board members or past presidents listed in the sidebar
customers. In fact, Chris’s kitchen may very well still be “in on the table of contents page. We are all here to help make
progress” if we hadn’t made plans to see it when we were in your business a success, and maybe even help you find time to
town. He needed a deadline, which I know you can all relate to. complete that personal project you’ve been meaning to get to.
Being in this line of work, quite often people will ask if my own
kitchen has the latest and greatest advances in the world of
custom cabinetry. Their response when I explain the reality of
the state of my kitchen is almost always the same: shock. How
could I not have a fancy, remodeled kitchen? That’s one of the
perks of the job, right?

While I don’t have a fancy kitchen, this job brings many perks, CONNECT
and one of the biggest perks that comes with being involved WITH US.
with the CMA is the incredible opportunity to learn from others.

Chris shared with me that the input he gets from the CMA is CABINETMAKERS.ORG
a big factor in the success of his projects, including his new
kitchen. He relies heavily on the forums and admits that he
“doesn’t do anything without asking first.” In addition, he
attends the CMA events as often as he can to connect face-
to-face with other like-minded professionals, and notes that
the conversations on the bus trips between shop tour stops
are invaluable. When push comes to shove, he also keeps a few

28 PROFILES FALL 2018