The Business I'm Building, the Lessons I'm Keeping
From Stone Fabrication to Kitchen Design: How 25+ Years of Craftsmanship Inspired a New Business Venture
Since I was 18 years old, I have worked in the stone fabrication industry for my father’s business, making kitchen and bathroom countertops. I worked alongside him until I was 45 years old. My father has been in the industry for over 45 years and used to cut slabs with a skill saw and make decorative edges with a belt grinder. He is the absolute definition of old-school craftsmanship.
Working alongside him for that long, he taught me things that no course could ever teach. He taught me how to really look at stone, how to understand its limitations, pay attention to the way a slab flows, think through seam placement, and notice all the little details that can make or break a finished project. More importantly, he taught me to care about the person on the other side of the project and to treat every project with the same care I would give my own.
I know the ins and outs of natural stone and quartz slabs, including their composition and hardness, how they fit into a kitchen, how to make a kitchen design flow just by eye, and what the limitations are when it comes to installation processes. I even learned to polish edges by hand myself and program machinery.
My role was to run the showroom and office, do design work, and source materials for all of our clients. I did estimates, ordered materials, handled contracts and invoicing—you name it, I did it. Somewhere along the way, what started as a job became something I genuinely loved. I developed my own eye for color, finishes, and design. I learned just how much the smallest choice can change the way an entire room comes together, all while I got to be next to my father doing it.
He is very well known in our industry, and I can say that I also built a name for myself, which I am very proud of.
My business idea came to me after a larger company had to buy my father’s business. After being home to care for my child, I had to make the tough decision to leave. During my time at home, I helped a very old client of mine with his kitchen, and that is what made me realize I could start something beautiful of my own.
That is where In The Bag Kitchen & Bath Consulting was born.
Because of my extensive knowledge, I felt like I could bridge the gap for homeowners and contractor clients who have a tough time making decisions when doing a home renovation. I consider my new business a sweet spot between DIY and full-fledged interior design, where clients only pay for the services they need.
One of my biggest selling points to contractors and cabinet companies is that I can assist clients when going to a slab yard to ensure that what they pick fits their layout and takes all the variables into consideration that could delay a project. I feel like this is a little niche that has not been touched upon because many people my age do not have over 25 years of experience under their belts.
I love making beautiful spaces come together and getting my creative juices going. I’m definitely not the overly formal designer type. I love beautiful things, but I also love real homes, real budgets, and helping people create a space they truly want to spend time in.
It is what brings me happiness, and I want to continue the journey I started with my father and build from it. When he retires, the big joke is that he can come work for me now!
