Inspiring Conversations with Javier Jimenez of CUSTOM DESIGNS FINISHING

Today we’d like to introduce you to Javier Jimenez

Hi Javier, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First, before I start, I would like to thank Voyage LA Magazine for this great opportunity to tell a little about myself and my small business.

I started my small business 4 years ago with a purpose and a dream of being able to achieve my goal of building my own company. In the beginning it was not easy because I started from the bottom, in the city of South Los Angeles CA. I had nothing, only a dream and the desire to get ahead. As time went by, I slowly got clients and over time my business grew. It was a slow process with falls until I reached a point where my small business became an interior remodeling company and obviously I also moved to a new factory trained for potential projects. Also, not only did my company grow, but I formed a magnificent work team that thanks to them I would not be where I am right now.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When i look back at all the challenges I’ve faced, it’s pretty hard for me to believe how far I’ve come. You know, being so young and growing up in a Mexican household with my very strict parents sort of caused me to just forget the rules for a while and began to live my devil-may-care life. I would come home absentmindedly drunk on random weeknights with around $13 in my bank account so i reached a point where I just couldn’t keep up with the fun anymore, it all began to feel like something i dread. During the hardships, there was always my love for working with wood and being so passionate about manufacturing furniture, and it wasn’t until i dived in the roughest waters i’ve ever swam in and fully invested my time into the woodworking business, which is the time when i created my brand, Custom Designs. But even when I set a few years of my dedication and passion into my woodworking business, it never got easier. At times, I had clients who were insanely doubtful of hiring me to work on their projects because of my age at the time (25) and unfortunately, my race. I can definitely tell you that I had to learn many things the hard way. In a world of competitiveness and driven by the desire of success, take things easy and slow. I promise it’s always better to take the time to appreciate the small things and view the mistakes as something that should be worked on thoroughly rather than letting the negativity rush you into adrenaline and then making the same mistakes later on. I’ve also learned that there’s good and there’s fear in being alone when running a business. Being on your own is one of the biggest things i’ve loved about the startup of my business, I was able to choose the way I see furniture designs and approve projects without having any doubts in my shoulders. But being alone came with anxiety as well, It was difficult to make decisions about projects because I had no one in my team to help with the process of woodworkings for clients who had specific and short timelines. So that immediately changed when I asked for the help of my very supportive relatives who are to this date, still working with me in delivering our bestest of design quality.

We’ve been impressed with CUSTOM DESIGNS FINISHING, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I mean after many years in the business industry, I’d like to believe i know a few things that I’d be delighted to talk about. My business offers a fine woodworking service and we specialize in manufacturing custom furniture nationally and internationally by high-end fine designers from the marvelous sunny-sides of Europe to the most beautiful unique designs based in Japan. A huge part of my business is the indoor remodeling service we offer. I believe it’s fun to get creative with remodeling as much as it is to bring our clients vision to reality. We love satisfying their needs of a unique style whether it be in the doors of their kitchen cabinets or drawers aside their bedroom mattresses.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
As a child, I was lucky enough to make plenty of beautiful memories in my family’s peaceful land located in Aguascalientes, Mexico. I remember waking up on Monday mornings and helping my grandfather feed our cows, picking up the eggs laid by our chickens, and cleaning up the pens of our baby pigs. I also vividly remember helping my mother with finding firewood in the skirts of the river beside our home. We used it to ignite a fire for days when my mother would cook her delicious meals outside.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Customdesignsfinishing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/custom_designs_finishing?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
@niftyshots