Today we’d like to introduce you to Candi Girardi.
Candi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been a builder and have done multiple house renovations. I built a barn door and did a wood wall in my last house. When I sold my house a lot of people asked for a referral and I saw that there was need for my work. The real catalyst to starting Urban Wall Design was when my husband told me I needed to save money for the various projects I wanted to do. I thought to myself, “Challenge Accepted!” I told him I wasn’t going to save the money, I was going to make it! That was 2 years ago and Urban Wall Design was born. I wanted to bring affordable, designer wood work into people’s homes and I got to do all my design ideas that I had in my head. I still haven’t finished all my projects but now my business has grown to the point that my husband has started working with me. He has a background in interior doors so his knowledge has perfected the business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s never a smooth road. My first job is a Calculus teacher and I know how to handle different personalities, but there are some things you just never expect. When I was doing the business without my husband, he didn’t understand why I had to make a mess or buy a new tool or why I was obsessed with my latest build. That seemed like my biggest worry until I was at an install and my nail hit a fire sprinkler pipe. The builder didn’t properly secure a pipe and it bulged through the wall. The home owner asked me to add a nail to bulge and I got an instant shower. The wall literally flew into my face and I wasn’t sure what to do. I got through it and fixed everything before the home owner got home from work but I came home wanting to quit. The home owner had a rough day at work too and completely understood so it ended up being a great learning experience.
Urban Wall Design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a husband and wife woodworking team that specializes in barn doors, wood walls, and rustic furniture. We have superb craftsmanship, which is a must for our line of work. What sets us apart is our finishes. Most people think of our products as a work of art. Our work is the focal point of most rooms. We build everything as if it was going to be in our home and people can tell that we care a lot about what we do. The biggest thing that sets us apart from other companies is that I am a female woodworker and designer. I cut wood and build really cool stuff. People are memorized by my ability to use a table saw and nail gun. Most people take pictures of me working because they can’t believe what they are seeing.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is when you are happy and others are happy around you. I knew that I had become successful when my clients started telling me that they trusted me to do what I think looked best in their home. That showed me that they liked my style and they trusted my work.
Pricing:
- Barn Doors starting at $700
Contact Info:
- Website: urbanwalldesign.com
- Phone: 949-667-BARN (2276)
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanwalldesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanwalldesign/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/urban-wall-design-rancho-mission-viejo-3
Image Credit:
Marisa Vitale
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