We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Coles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process for starting my own business came from a simple idea: Be my own boss and have a flexible work schedule.

From that simple idea, I started to constantly daydream and create what that business would look like. Everyday I was imaging what type of business I wanted to run and during that time, the ideas seemed to expand, change and evolve as I grew along life’s journey.

Throughout most of my young twenties I worked in corporate companies and always felt “stuck” with their scheduling and beholden to higher-ups whom didn’t always have the best ideas. It was a constant struggle to have a normal 9-5 and feel miserable about career options or the future. So eventually I decided it was time to start my own business, where I would have more control over scheduling and decisions.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business started from humble beginnings, I think I had 110 dollars in the opening bank account! I started by making and selling small furniture pieces, but that soon evolved to small batch manufacturing for retail displays, signage holders and home décor. This was all being done from our backyard patio so I could have next to zero overhead. Keeping the cost very low in the beginning enabled me to learn certain manufacturing processes specific for my needs and eventually scale them.

About a year after starting my business I started working as lead carpenter at a local furniture manufacturer in Chatsworth, California. We made high-end outdoor furniture and would sell them through various e-commerce platforms. At the time, my business wasn’t making enough money to live in a city like Los Angeles, so I had to keep a day job.

I would work a normal 9-5 shift, then I would come home and work on all the administration things that I could to help my business grow. I made websites, listings, put in countless hours of photoshop editing hundreds of photos, learned QuickBooks and how to struggle doing taxes and all the other things you have to do as a small business owner. At the time, everything seemed to have some difficulty level. There were some things that were easy to complete, but required time (like making listing descriptions). There were other things that required lots of patience and reading (like setting up an LLC or CORP with the state). With every task I needed to accomplish for my business, as in life, I grew as a person. As I grew as a person, my business also began to grow.

With the help of my wife, I started to take better photos of my products and give a general update to everything that was already done. The results were felt several months later, but the overall effect was positive and generated more revenue. I wish I had done this sooner!! However, it eventually lead to one of our biggest clients and really showed us the demand and desire for displays and signage holders for use in retail space.

After having a few success, I could see the viability of owing a small business. With continual work and dedication, we will grow our business larger.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles has a lot to offer. There are endless eateries, pubs and places to visit to keep you busy for weeks, if not years. Although I do enjoy a night in DTLA or sipping cocktails in Santa Monica, I definitely prefer California’s Natural Parks and Monuments that are just a few hours outside of LA.

I would bring my potential guest to Yosemite, Sequoias, Kings Canyon, Redwoods and as many natural wonders as we could cram in a week. California has some of the best natural features found in the world, it would be a pity to miss an opportunity to enjoy them!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The most influential person in my life that has help me along my business journey has been my wife Casandra. She has help me strive to become the best version of myself while working to achieve my dreams.

Casandra has always believed in me and what I can achieve, even when I didn’t believe in myself. She has shown me that with dedication and hard work you can move towards your dreams one step at a time. Everyone seems to want their business to succeed in the first few months, but the truth is that it takes time, discipline and an enormous amount of work to just plant a few seeds. With continually work and attention it will start to grow, but it is definitely easier if you have someone who is always there to support you.

Website: www.timberrebirth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timberrebirth/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimberRebirth/

Other: Etsy Store https://www.etsy.com/shop/TimberRebirth?ref=shop_sugg

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