Business Profile: Harvest Designs, Smithers BC CANADA

Harvest Designs, Smithers BC, CANADA
Website: http://www.harvestdesigns.com
Email: Harvestdesigns1@gmail.com
Company Principle(s): Damian Jones

Harvest designs is a small woodworking business dedicated to creating one of a kind furnishings from dismantled farm buildings, fences and pine beetle killed wood. Most designs are based on antique “Canadiana” style pieces but often incorporate methods to address current needs for storage of appliances, new technologies and the convenience of modern hardware such as sliding pocket door hinges and full extension drawer slides. The use of reclaimed wood featuring old saw blade marks, rusted nail holes and the rich patina from years of weathering sparks the inspiration for the design and construction process.
Pieces available include but are not limited to: Harvest dining tables, coffee and end tables, storage chests and benches, corner cabinets, plasma TV stands, bedroom suites and dish dressers.

How did you start?
Out of necessity, my wife and I purchased a run down hostel in Canmore and remodeled it into a bed and breakfast, after the renovation was complete, there was no money left to buy furnishings, around the same time, a rancher friend was tearing down an old barn and offered the usable wood to me. So I made furniture for the rooms and it turned out so well that guests staying with us wanted to know where they could buy it.

Describe the early years of your business
I grew the business slowly to begin with, working out of a small garage with basic tools. Making do with an old truck for deliveries and picking up raw material. Then I bought an old horse trailer when the orders got bigger as the truck could not carry much furniture.

How did you get to where you are today?(what did you do before this, what route did you take, how long did it take)
Any business takes time to build a reputation, its tempting to get a loan and start expanding as fast as you can, but I resisted the urge and took baby steps. When the recession hit I was able to weather it without much difficulty as my overheads and debt have always been low.

What are you doing that is unique and innovative?
I try and use as much recycled material as possible, the benefit of this is two fold, customers feel good about buying a green product, and I keep my costs down. I also provide free design and consultation.

What makes you different from other competitors?
I think my background as an artist (I trained at the Alberta College of Art) is reflected in the furniture. So I tend to focus on form first and then refine the design for functionality.

What has been your most unique customer?
I furnished a house for a musician who wrote “Hotel California”!

How important is technology for your business?
Aside from the internet it is not that important. I prefer to work mostly with my hands but I do use basic power tools sometimes.
Where is your most remote customer and how did you get them?
Probably a Heli-Ski lodge in the Coast Mountain range. They were referred to me by a local furniture store.

Describe the challenges you have had financially?
With low overheads and marginal debt, things have been fairly smooth going. There have been some lean times but you batten up the hatches and keep plugging away.

How do you market yourself?
The internet, brochures, and word of mouth have been my marketing tools with Cottage Magazine doing a 3 page article on my business couple of years ago and that was also very helpful.

What was your best mistake?
Can’t think of one

Twitter, Facebook or My Space and which one do you find better for business?
I am sure they are all great for networking but I don’t have time for any of them!

Do you Skype?
No

Craiglist of Kijiji?
No

Favourite website for business ideas
Ebay

Best time wasting website
Google Earth

What is your future?
Making stringed instruments

Short URL: http://northernbcbusiness.com/?p=852

Posted by oneadam on 10:42 pm. Filed under Business Profiles, North West, Smithers, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry