1 00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:07,500 Welcome back to The ProSource Podcast, everybody. 2 00:00:07,533 --> 00:00:10,200 Today I am joined by Rebecca Carlson. 3 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:14,333 She is the owner and founder of 3 Tree Design House. 4 00:00:14,966 --> 00:00:17,433 Thank you so much, Rebecca, for joining me today. 5 00:00:17,433 --> 00:00:18,533 Yeah, thank you for having me. 6 00:00:18,533 --> 00:00:20,500 And this is really fun to be a part of, I appreciate it. 7 00:00:20,500 --> 00:00:23,700 Yes. And Rebecca is one of our trade pro members. 8 00:00:23,833 --> 00:00:24,800 And I just wanted to know, 9 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:27,933 how long have you been a trade pro a member of ProSource? 10 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:30,933 I.. it's been a few years now. Yeah. 11 00:00:30,933 --> 00:00:33,866 So for quite a long time. 12 00:00:33,866 --> 00:00:35,966 Okay. Cool. Cool. 13 00:00:35,966 --> 00:00:38,500 So today we're just going to spend some time, 14 00:00:38,500 --> 00:00:42,700 learning about your business, what you do, and then we'll probably dabble 15 00:00:42,700 --> 00:00:46,466 into some home remodeling trends and fun things like that. 16 00:00:47,033 --> 00:00:50,233 First, if you don't mind just sharing, like, a brief overview 17 00:00:50,533 --> 00:00:53,533 of your business, what you do, who you serve. 18 00:00:53,833 --> 00:00:54,133 Yeah. 19 00:00:54,133 --> 00:00:57,400 So we're an interior design and renovation business. 20 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,166 So I'm a designer and a general contractor, so we can do 21 00:01:01,166 --> 00:01:04,166 projects fully from start to finish. 22 00:01:04,233 --> 00:01:05,766 And we also offer classes. 23 00:01:05,766 --> 00:01:10,833 So we do a little bit where we help DIY project plan and, you know, 24 00:01:10,833 --> 00:01:15,366 give them tips and also even skills training, to do work on their own home. 25 00:01:15,900 --> 00:01:18,466 So that's kind of the part a little bit. 26 00:01:18,466 --> 00:01:21,500 And yeah, that's, that's, that's a little bit about what we do. 27 00:01:21,866 --> 00:01:23,666 That's awesome. I didn't know about the classes. 28 00:01:23,666 --> 00:01:25,933 When did you start doing those? 29 00:01:25,933 --> 00:01:30,166 That's actually a big part of you know, the 3 Tree Design process. 30 00:01:30,166 --> 00:01:33,400 So, we have our design phase, 31 00:01:33,833 --> 00:01:36,900 which is our first tree, our construction phase. 32 00:01:36,900 --> 00:01:38,933 So roofing and finish. 33 00:01:38,933 --> 00:01:40,166 That's our second tree. 34 00:01:40,166 --> 00:01:43,200 And then our third Tree is really our way of giving back 35 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:44,600 to the community and connecting. 36 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:46,633 So we don't charge a lot for the classes. 37 00:01:46,633 --> 00:01:48,833 We do a lot of free, things. 38 00:01:48,833 --> 00:01:52,033 And it's just kind of grown over time into something that, 39 00:01:52,933 --> 00:01:55,933 you know, is, is a passion project for us for sure. 40 00:01:56,133 --> 00:01:56,900 Now that's really cool. 41 00:01:56,900 --> 00:01:59,800 I do like the concept of, like the three separate trees, 42 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:01,866 then serving as three different pillars of your business. 43 00:02:01,866 --> 00:02:02,900 That's really cool. 44 00:02:02,900 --> 00:02:03,600 Yeah, yeah. 45 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:07,433 Three sided, you know, structures, our strongest structures. 46 00:02:07,433 --> 00:02:10,566 And, we use a lot of trees and remodeling. 47 00:02:10,566 --> 00:02:13,766 So that's kind of a, you know, it's a little bit of an ode to that 48 00:02:13,766 --> 00:02:16,066 because you got to respect and try to not waste, 49 00:02:16,066 --> 00:02:18,600 you know, where you can just remember where it's all coming from. 50 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:23,533 So, so yeah, that's a little bit about about that and then design House, 51 00:02:24,066 --> 00:02:27,133 you know, it's kind of we want to make sure that we emphasize 52 00:02:27,133 --> 00:02:30,600 that is the initial part of the, you know, process. 53 00:02:30,666 --> 00:02:32,300 It's important to start with the plan. 54 00:02:33,300 --> 00:02:34,466 That's super cool. 55 00:02:34,466 --> 00:02:37,566 And I read on your website, you have over ten years of experience 56 00:02:37,566 --> 00:02:40,566 in design and then over over eight in construction. 57 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:44,400 Can you share a little bit more about your personal journey 58 00:02:44,433 --> 00:02:48,000 in the design and remodeling industry, and then maybe lean into, 59 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,733 like, what led you to start your own business? 60 00:02:50,733 --> 00:02:51,233 Yeah. 61 00:02:51,233 --> 00:02:55,500 So I have kind of a, you know, unique journey, to this. 62 00:02:55,500 --> 00:02:59,000 So my, degree is in technical design. 63 00:02:59,300 --> 00:03:02,500 So I started out basically basically in clothing construction. 64 00:03:02,866 --> 00:03:06,866 So that's where, I started my design journey. 65 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:12,566 And my husband, Brian, he started a handyman company. 66 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,400 He worked in maintenance for a long time. 67 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:18,666 So he knows really everything there is about repairing a house. 68 00:03:18,866 --> 00:03:20,866 I kind of started him. 69 00:03:20,866 --> 00:03:22,966 Started with him, with that business. 70 00:03:22,966 --> 00:03:25,700 I started the business, process. 71 00:03:25,700 --> 00:03:28,800 So I learned how to start a business through that, 72 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,733 even though it wasn't my own, you know, business. Exactly. 73 00:03:31,733 --> 00:03:35,400 And we didn't do a lot of design at the time, but within about a year, I. 74 00:03:35,566 --> 00:03:37,166 It's kind of funny because I was working for 75 00:03:37,166 --> 00:03:40,966 the biggest costume company in the world, doing really fun designs, 76 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:45,133 like for the Star Wars film characters and things like that. 77 00:03:45,133 --> 00:03:46,900 And it was a really cool job. 78 00:03:46,900 --> 00:03:50,400 But, it wasn't super, like gratifying. 79 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:52,633 You know, you don't get to see things through to completion or, 80 00:03:52,633 --> 00:03:56,166 you know, clothing is kind of a, you know, you're kind of a cog in a machine. 81 00:03:56,933 --> 00:03:59,466 So I joined, with him 82 00:03:59,466 --> 00:04:03,433 and we just did latent, like, handyman stuff 83 00:04:03,433 --> 00:04:08,033 for at least a year or two, before we went into remodeling and construction. 84 00:04:08,500 --> 00:04:12,866 So I got the, you know, rough kind of get your hands dirty. 85 00:04:13,666 --> 00:04:16,433 Learning of construction, learning to use a drill, learning 86 00:04:16,433 --> 00:04:19,433 to install things, learning about a house, how a toilet works, 87 00:04:19,633 --> 00:04:23,100 all the, like, kind of basic stuff that I never knew I wanted to learn. So, 88 00:04:24,633 --> 00:04:26,700 yeah, I, I really 89 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:31,200 enjoy it, and, I didn't I didn't get to do a lot of designing. 90 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:35,366 I was doing designing on the side basically grew that over those ten years. 91 00:04:35,366 --> 00:04:37,066 So I started out a little bit, 92 00:04:37,066 --> 00:04:41,100 and then I was using Adobe Suite because of my design background, 93 00:04:41,533 --> 00:04:44,666 to try to draw blueprints, which works as a vector. 94 00:04:44,666 --> 00:04:46,666 And technically it was very difficult. 95 00:04:46,666 --> 00:04:47,900 And I did that for a long time. 96 00:04:47,900 --> 00:04:53,166 And then I got an architectural software that I learned, and I got my GC license, 97 00:04:53,900 --> 00:04:58,200 a few years ago on my own, because I wanted to have a design based business. 98 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,066 I wanted it to be the focus. 99 00:05:00,066 --> 00:05:02,233 So yeah, that's really cool. 100 00:05:02,233 --> 00:05:03,466 That is very unique. 101 00:05:03,466 --> 00:05:06,666 I don't know if I've heard of someone going from like, clothing design 102 00:05:06,966 --> 00:05:11,233 to home remodeling, and that's that jump is pretty drastic. 103 00:05:11,233 --> 00:05:15,300 But it also kind of works because you're thinking about designing homes. 104 00:05:15,300 --> 00:05:17,700 It's I mean, it's very different, don't get me wrong. 105 00:05:17,700 --> 00:05:21,100 But I'm sure a lot of the same, processes 106 00:05:21,633 --> 00:05:26,233 kind of crossover, in terms of just like having that creative eye 107 00:05:26,233 --> 00:05:31,133 and just being very, I don't know, like elaborate with functionality too. 108 00:05:31,166 --> 00:05:32,433 That's the same as clothing. 109 00:05:32,433 --> 00:05:35,000 You want it to be functional, just like a house. 110 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:35,866 That's really cool. 111 00:05:35,866 --> 00:05:40,966 And so when you started learning all these elements 112 00:05:40,966 --> 00:05:44,733 of remodeling a home, oh, things that I don't know how to do either. 113 00:05:44,900 --> 00:05:48,366 Was that process super hard to jump into or. 114 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:50,366 I'm sure having your husband helping you was 115 00:05:50,366 --> 00:05:53,700 was also very beneficial, but I'm interested to hear about that. 116 00:05:54,100 --> 00:05:56,933 Yeah, my husband is the son of two teachers, 117 00:05:56,933 --> 00:05:59,933 so he is like a very, very good teacher, very patient. 118 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:04,133 And so that's why we still continue to do the classes too, because it really, 119 00:06:04,666 --> 00:06:08,100 it means a lot to him as well to, you know, get people to learn 120 00:06:08,100 --> 00:06:11,500 how to do things the right way, in a way that is safe for them 121 00:06:11,500 --> 00:06:13,666 and especially for their home and their investment. 122 00:06:13,666 --> 00:06:17,233 So that that's what was nice for me. 123 00:06:17,233 --> 00:06:20,133 And I know that not everybody has that as an option. 124 00:06:20,133 --> 00:06:24,100 It was hard for sure because we, you know, we did things that were, 125 00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:27,900 you know, we moved removed hot tubs from the top balcony. 126 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,833 Do I learned to tile which tiling is so much fun 127 00:06:31,833 --> 00:06:35,333 and amazing, but like the most exhausting days of my life. 128 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,800 So I feel like, 129 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,166 it was it was kind of like a polished rock, you know what I mean? 130 00:06:42,166 --> 00:06:45,766 Like, I was, I was in a rock polisher, and I didn't really realize it at the time. 131 00:06:46,500 --> 00:06:50,733 But I feel like, you know, we're we're constantly becoming, 132 00:06:50,900 --> 00:06:54,100 you know, more of the selves that we want to be because we're put 133 00:06:54,100 --> 00:06:57,900 into these pressure situations to kind of give the best results for our clients. 134 00:06:57,900 --> 00:07:00,966 So with our handyman business had five stars. 135 00:07:00,966 --> 00:07:02,966 This business we're really we have five stars. 136 00:07:02,966 --> 00:07:05,133 We're trying to maintain that because we want 137 00:07:05,133 --> 00:07:08,700 it's very small, large town that we live in, the area that we live in. 138 00:07:08,700 --> 00:07:12,900 And so having a good service is literally everything for your business and, 139 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:14,233 and have a good, 140 00:07:14,233 --> 00:07:17,366 good experience with your community and give back in a, in a positive way. 141 00:07:17,733 --> 00:07:18,333 Absolutely. 142 00:07:18,333 --> 00:07:21,533 And I forgot to mention this earlier, but you're out of Northern Colorado, right? 143 00:07:21,966 --> 00:07:22,966 Yes, yes. 144 00:07:22,966 --> 00:07:25,533 So anyone listening to that, I'm sorry. Yeah. 145 00:07:25,533 --> 00:07:26,400 No, that's my fault. 146 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:29,400 Also, I meant to do that and enter introduction. 147 00:07:29,533 --> 00:07:32,433 But if you're in the northern Colorado area, if you're listening to this 148 00:07:32,433 --> 00:07:36,100 and you need some expertise, you have found the right place to retreat. 149 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:36,833 Design house. 150 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:38,066 Yeah. 151 00:07:38,066 --> 00:07:39,133 Who said that? Yeah. 152 00:07:39,133 --> 00:07:43,600 I also wanted to make a note, too, about the the classes that you guys offer. 153 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:48,333 I bet it's very inspirational to hear people learn about, like, 154 00:07:48,333 --> 00:07:52,000 your story, how you, you know, you knew nothing really about home 155 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,066 remodeling and all of those technical details. 156 00:07:55,066 --> 00:07:57,600 And now you are where you're at now and you have your own business. 157 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,833 So, I imagine that's even more inspirational for people 158 00:08:00,833 --> 00:08:03,966 that are attending the classes and your clients that are working with you. 159 00:08:03,966 --> 00:08:05,200 I bet that's really cool. 160 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:05,966 Absolutely. 161 00:08:05,966 --> 00:08:07,500 Because I definitely had the perspective, 162 00:08:07,500 --> 00:08:11,200 like, there's no way I could ever and especially I met my husband, I would 163 00:08:11,366 --> 00:08:13,133 he would come home from work and tell me about his day, 164 00:08:13,133 --> 00:08:16,433 and I just feel like, I don't know how you do, I really don't. 165 00:08:16,433 --> 00:08:16,933 Yeah. 166 00:08:16,933 --> 00:08:20,500 And then just kind of being thrown into it at first, you know, it was just, 167 00:08:20,733 --> 00:08:23,733 you know, it's obviously so different now looking back on it. 168 00:08:23,933 --> 00:08:27,666 But I think it does help people to know that you can do it in a way 169 00:08:27,666 --> 00:08:30,800 that, you know, you can gain a lot of value in your investment. 170 00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:35,400 Yes. And, and in your day to day life, you don't have to live with. 171 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:35,700 Yeah. 172 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:36,533 You know, it's surroundings, 173 00:08:36,533 --> 00:08:40,200 our surroundings have a powerful effect on us over time. 174 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:41,833 So it's actually, 175 00:08:41,833 --> 00:08:43,666 you know, if you can't pay somebody to do it 176 00:08:43,666 --> 00:08:46,133 all, you know, it's nice to be able to have that option. 177 00:08:46,133 --> 00:08:46,366 You know, 178 00:08:46,366 --> 00:08:50,000 you learned a lot of the technical parts of doing a home remodel, for example. 179 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:51,900 Do you do you feel like your husband learned a lot about, 180 00:08:51,900 --> 00:08:56,000 like the design process in return, like home around you? 181 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,700 You guys kind of like swapped, skill sets in a way. 182 00:08:59,700 --> 00:09:01,466 Do you feel like that's the case? 183 00:09:01,466 --> 00:09:03,066 Oh, absolutely. It's kind of funny. 184 00:09:03,066 --> 00:09:05,333 We thought we would have our own lanes, but really? 185 00:09:05,333 --> 00:09:06,233 Yeah. 186 00:09:06,233 --> 00:09:07,133 He has a great design. 187 00:09:07,133 --> 00:09:09,600 I and really helps because. 188 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:11,366 And I think that's what makes us more efficient 189 00:09:11,366 --> 00:09:15,733 because we as we're coming up with the design, we're thinking about, 190 00:09:15,733 --> 00:09:19,066 okay, what how is this going to stay working long term? 191 00:09:19,066 --> 00:09:20,400 How is this going to be functional? 192 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:22,566 You know, we do a lot of like layout changes. 193 00:09:22,566 --> 00:09:25,666 We're working on one for an upstairs primary. 194 00:09:25,666 --> 00:09:28,566 And they have the trying to move the laundry upstairs 195 00:09:28,566 --> 00:09:29,700 because it's in the basement. 196 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:31,500 And then they have their kids rooms 197 00:09:31,500 --> 00:09:33,866 and they're trying to make sure it's not going to be too loud. 198 00:09:33,866 --> 00:09:37,133 And then you have, you know, making the bathroom bigger because it's 199 00:09:37,133 --> 00:09:40,700 teeny and trying to fit all that into kind of their upstairs space. 200 00:09:40,700 --> 00:09:41,866 And it's really hard to do that 201 00:09:41,866 --> 00:09:44,866 without being able to visualize it and know all your code. 202 00:09:44,933 --> 00:09:47,433 And and as a homeowner, they want to do it themselves. 203 00:09:47,433 --> 00:09:49,500 So they're going to tackle a lot of the work. 204 00:09:50,666 --> 00:09:52,300 But without a plan, 205 00:09:52,300 --> 00:09:56,133 they end up wasting so much time and money to get to that end result. 206 00:09:56,133 --> 00:09:59,333 Not to say that they couldn't get there, but I tried to save some hair pulling. 207 00:09:59,333 --> 00:10:01,400 Like my mother is a big DIYer. 208 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:05,133 She's self-taught herself a lot and what she does is great. 209 00:10:05,133 --> 00:10:08,233 But my stepdad makes a joke like, we kind 210 00:10:08,233 --> 00:10:11,233 of, you know, paid someone to do this for cheaper. 211 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:15,133 Yeah, rather that not every project, but some projects because, 212 00:10:15,900 --> 00:10:17,900 you know, sometimes she'll just have so much fun, 213 00:10:17,900 --> 00:10:21,200 like changing her mind on this and that, and then they end up spending a little bit 214 00:10:21,266 --> 00:10:22,400 more money in the long run 215 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:25,600 because she is not sitting there thinking about long term. 216 00:10:26,300 --> 00:10:28,933 Factors or even just like a plan on what she wants to do. 217 00:10:28,933 --> 00:10:32,066 She's just like, go, go, go, which a lot of DIY hours 218 00:10:32,100 --> 00:10:33,166 I imagine are like that. 219 00:10:33,166 --> 00:10:35,233 And they don't they don't stop and like think. 220 00:10:35,233 --> 00:10:38,233 And I'm sure you're very helpful in that aspect. 221 00:10:38,633 --> 00:10:41,466 It's like trying to do a puzzle without the picture. 222 00:10:41,466 --> 00:10:41,833 Yeah. 223 00:10:41,833 --> 00:10:45,133 And potentially missing puzzle pieces because you don't even know, like it's, 224 00:10:45,166 --> 00:10:47,400 you know, it's just very, very difficult. 225 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:48,466 But I think people 226 00:10:48,466 --> 00:10:51,466 that have the gumption to do it, I respect that, cause obviously that's 227 00:10:51,633 --> 00:10:53,566 how I got into this. 228 00:10:53,566 --> 00:10:53,800 Yeah. 229 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:54,633 So, so yeah, 230 00:10:54,633 --> 00:10:58,300 I think that's where we try to help people because we most people are going to 231 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:00,666 if they're going to do it, they're going to do it anyway. 232 00:11:00,666 --> 00:11:03,500 And oh yeah, hopefully they can. Yeah. 233 00:11:03,500 --> 00:11:06,433 You know, in a way that it lasts and it doesn't, you know, we just asking 234 00:11:06,433 --> 00:11:07,533 people time and money 235 00:11:07,533 --> 00:11:11,100 that's kind of our after doing this ten years, that's the best that we can, 236 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,333 the best that we can offer. And renovation. 237 00:11:14,333 --> 00:11:18,566 Are there any specific projects that you guys specialize in more so. 238 00:11:18,566 --> 00:11:22,200 Or do you have a personal favorite type of space to design in the home? 239 00:11:23,133 --> 00:11:24,133 For sure, yeah. 240 00:11:24,133 --> 00:11:28,533 So I guess basements and kitchens are kind of a close tie for me. 241 00:11:28,866 --> 00:11:32,633 I like the challenge of the kitchen because it's a lot of parts, 242 00:11:33,100 --> 00:11:33,833 that go into it. 243 00:11:33,833 --> 00:11:36,766 And typically something where you have to rework the layout. 244 00:11:36,766 --> 00:11:39,766 But basements are like a fresh blank canvas. 245 00:11:40,566 --> 00:11:42,533 No, not quite the same as a build, but 246 00:11:42,533 --> 00:11:45,533 you get to really do a lot more. 247 00:11:45,633 --> 00:11:47,866 When you're starting fresh with framing. 248 00:11:47,866 --> 00:11:49,133 So I imagine 249 00:11:49,133 --> 00:11:53,000 your kitchen would be much more difficult to remodel than a basements. 250 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:54,000 Usually. 251 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:54,866 Not all the time, 252 00:11:54,866 --> 00:11:59,700 but I'm picturing just like empty people want to make it become alive. 253 00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:02,766 When I think of basements as, like just this empty space 254 00:12:03,133 --> 00:12:05,300 they don't know what to do with, do we want to put a bar down here, 255 00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:09,066 or do we want to make it like a kids area or, and then home theater? 256 00:12:09,066 --> 00:12:12,166 And so I feel like the endless possibilities are there with a basement, 257 00:12:12,566 --> 00:12:15,600 with a kitchen, you're like, working with stove and, 258 00:12:16,033 --> 00:12:17,400 you know, plumbing and all of that, 259 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,900 which could be probably a headache, but also a fun challenge as well. 260 00:12:20,900 --> 00:12:24,333 It's a fun design challenge for like a GC because you can, 261 00:12:24,566 --> 00:12:25,500 you know, it's not just a picture. 262 00:12:25,500 --> 00:12:28,600 It's not just making it look beautiful, but the function of it. 263 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:30,300 Like, I have a whole meeting with my clients 264 00:12:30,300 --> 00:12:32,733 where we sit down and talk about how do you use your kitchen, 265 00:12:32,733 --> 00:12:35,733 what appliances, where do you put them, do you like them on here? 266 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:38,500 I like them on the counter. Like, do you want to drawers? 267 00:12:38,500 --> 00:12:39,300 How many doors? 268 00:12:39,300 --> 00:12:43,566 You know, it's important to get so many details in such a small space. 269 00:12:43,900 --> 00:12:47,700 If I was going to come to you and say, you know, I want to remodel my kitchen, 270 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,500 let's just say, for example, could you briefly walk me through the process 271 00:12:51,500 --> 00:12:54,500 of what I would experience if I wanted to start a project with you all? 272 00:12:54,833 --> 00:12:55,133 Yeah. 273 00:12:55,133 --> 00:12:56,866 So we typically start on the phone 274 00:12:56,866 --> 00:13:00,833 with a quick call here about your project and then, if you want to schedule 275 00:13:00,833 --> 00:13:05,200 a initial consult on site, we do a free 30 minute review your project. 276 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:06,200 You can walk us through it. 277 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,300 We show you our software. 278 00:13:08,300 --> 00:13:11,300 You know, how we kind of help our other clients? 279 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:14,700 We have, like, video examples of our renderings and how they've turned out. 280 00:13:14,700 --> 00:13:15,766 So we go through some of that. 281 00:13:17,066 --> 00:13:17,700 And then 282 00:13:17,700 --> 00:13:21,700 if you want to book with us, we schedule a measurement meeting that takes an hour 283 00:13:21,700 --> 00:13:24,766 and a half to two hours to get it into our blueprint CAD program. 284 00:13:25,133 --> 00:13:29,366 And so you get like an initial concept of your existing layout, no matter what, 285 00:13:29,366 --> 00:13:33,066 as a part of the design and then we do an initial concept from there. 286 00:13:33,666 --> 00:13:36,833 Sometimes I do 2 or 3 layouts depending on what we're trying to do. 287 00:13:37,066 --> 00:13:42,066 And then once we get the preferred layout, we basically do a review meeting. 288 00:13:42,066 --> 00:13:43,400 So we go through the different layouts. 289 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,300 We talk about like don't like 290 00:13:45,300 --> 00:13:49,233 and then we do a revision and come to kind of a preferred layout. 291 00:13:49,300 --> 00:13:52,966 Sometimes that takes a little bit of a journey to get to that point. 292 00:13:53,466 --> 00:13:55,566 But once we do, we're kind of through the design phase 293 00:13:55,566 --> 00:13:57,666 and we start to get bids from subcontractors. 294 00:13:57,666 --> 00:14:00,666 When we create a proposal that's flat rate, not to exceed. 295 00:14:01,100 --> 00:14:04,100 And then, we do a contract and we start up 296 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,200 that second treaty that, the roughing 297 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:10,800 and finish phase, which we divide basically that into two portions. 298 00:14:11,033 --> 00:14:15,600 And then after that you have a as a as a warranty, as a resource going forward. 299 00:14:16,033 --> 00:14:20,200 That initial phase you talked about right before, like the official design process, 300 00:14:20,566 --> 00:14:25,666 is that that's more so just you learning what the client wants, right? Yep. 301 00:14:25,666 --> 00:14:27,300 And what they're really wanting. 302 00:14:27,300 --> 00:14:29,900 What they're going to get the most out of the remodel 303 00:14:29,900 --> 00:14:32,333 I yeah, like I could definitely see that taking the longest. 304 00:14:33,566 --> 00:14:36,100 So I'm sure a lot of people are like I don't know. 305 00:14:36,100 --> 00:14:36,366 Well. 306 00:14:36,366 --> 00:14:39,700 And when we do the 3D so like you see it because you think, okay, 307 00:14:39,700 --> 00:14:40,600 I think I want it this way. 308 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,600 And then sometimes when you see that 3D in the walkthrough, it's like, 309 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:46,000 oh, maybe that, you know, we could do it a different way. 310 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:49,166 And, and, and I always try to do like a devil's advocate layout. 311 00:14:49,166 --> 00:14:50,600 So people ask me to do it a certain way. 312 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:53,033 Most of the time they're like, draw it like this. 313 00:14:53,033 --> 00:14:54,433 And I do every time. 314 00:14:54,433 --> 00:14:58,566 And then I sit down and I'm like, okay, how can I make this a little bit better 315 00:14:58,566 --> 00:15:00,433 and give them just something completely different 316 00:15:00,433 --> 00:15:04,066 so that either they know that their original design is the best one 317 00:15:04,366 --> 00:15:08,100 or, you know, maybe there's something that they didn't see at the beginning. 318 00:15:08,633 --> 00:15:10,100 Do you have a favorite project 319 00:15:10,100 --> 00:15:13,266 that you have worked on recently, and why is it your favorite? 320 00:15:13,300 --> 00:15:15,600 So we just finished a basement finish. 321 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:18,133 It was really, really fun and elaborate. 322 00:15:18,133 --> 00:15:22,000 He, wanted to do, you know, he wanted a bedroom downstairs 323 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,866 that he turned into a gym. 324 00:15:23,866 --> 00:15:26,933 But his main, like, living space, he didn't miss, like, 325 00:15:27,500 --> 00:15:31,333 stone wall with built in TV and multiple dry bars. 326 00:15:31,333 --> 00:15:34,466 And then in the bathroom, we did a steam shower with this just 327 00:15:34,933 --> 00:15:38,200 gorgeous floating vanity and everything that he picked was just very, 328 00:15:39,266 --> 00:15:40,000 intentional. 329 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,266 He took his time with that process and was really excited about it. 330 00:15:43,433 --> 00:15:47,400 And so it looks very modern and up to date and just a lot of really beautiful 331 00:15:47,433 --> 00:15:48,900 textures that come together. 332 00:15:48,900 --> 00:15:50,233 Yeah, that does sound very cool. 333 00:15:50,233 --> 00:15:52,966 I want my house to look like that. 334 00:15:52,966 --> 00:15:55,266 All my goals. Right. 335 00:15:55,266 --> 00:15:59,966 So like he did some really cool like pilot themed. 336 00:15:59,966 --> 00:16:02,966 So like, black and white old plane artwork. 337 00:16:03,266 --> 00:16:06,000 But I don't know if that sounds as cool as it, but it looks gorgeous. 338 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,133 No. Yeah. 339 00:16:07,133 --> 00:16:10,900 So, yeah, it just turned out, you know, it really came together well, so. 340 00:16:11,100 --> 00:16:14,700 And he's adding himself into his home too, which I think is 341 00:16:15,300 --> 00:16:16,533 the coolest way to do it, 342 00:16:16,533 --> 00:16:20,333 because it's not just looking like a stock image or from a catalog. 343 00:16:20,333 --> 00:16:21,366 You're adding a lot of your own 344 00:16:21,366 --> 00:16:25,066 personality into the space, which is what he did with with the plane pictures. 345 00:16:25,066 --> 00:16:27,900 Maybe that's not for me, but it definitely sounds like it is for him. 346 00:16:27,900 --> 00:16:29,000 That's really cool. 347 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:29,633 Yeah. It was. 348 00:16:29,633 --> 00:16:33,466 It's really well, we always tell people to have at least one point that is, 349 00:16:33,500 --> 00:16:37,400 you know, focal point basically that is personal to them. 350 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:38,500 That's meaningful to them. 351 00:16:38,500 --> 00:16:40,066 What are some of your favorite home 352 00:16:40,066 --> 00:16:43,200 remodeling trends that you are seeing right now in 2025? 353 00:16:43,333 --> 00:16:43,800 Well, 354 00:16:44,933 --> 00:16:45,966 I can't even believe it, 355 00:16:45,966 --> 00:16:49,033 but I'm I'm getting asked to do wallpaper again. 356 00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:52,133 Wow, taking off so much wallpaper in my house, I say 357 00:16:52,133 --> 00:16:55,133 with our handyman company, just, 358 00:16:55,333 --> 00:16:57,200 just thousand square feet of wallpaper. 359 00:16:57,200 --> 00:16:59,500 But I am actually looking at putting it back in. 360 00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:03,400 And I really love the, boldness right now. 361 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,600 So there's, like, color drenching and natural textures. 362 00:17:07,266 --> 00:17:09,200 Like, words are coming back a little bit more. 363 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:11,600 So I really I'm loving that. 364 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:13,666 Yeah. Wallpaper. Very interesting. 365 00:17:13,666 --> 00:17:18,133 It's it's really cool to see old trends come back around and you're probably like, 366 00:17:18,133 --> 00:17:19,766 are you sure you want to put this back up, 367 00:17:19,766 --> 00:17:22,766 or am I going to come back here and tear it down in five years? 368 00:17:23,500 --> 00:17:26,600 It's so funny because, you know, when I was a kid growing up, 369 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:28,066 the neighbor that we had, 370 00:17:28,066 --> 00:17:31,700 he was like the best wallpaper installer in Fort Collins in our area. 371 00:17:32,466 --> 00:17:36,900 And now as I'm scheduling these, he is still the best 372 00:17:36,900 --> 00:17:40,633 wallpaper in the area and is like so overbooked. 373 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:42,133 It's it's amazing. 374 00:17:42,133 --> 00:17:44,966 So, you know, it's funny how things work out like this. 375 00:17:44,966 --> 00:17:48,566 What is one of the biggest challenges that you see homeowners face 376 00:17:48,566 --> 00:17:52,766 when starting a remodel, and how have you all helped those challenges? 377 00:17:53,833 --> 00:17:56,933 So yeah, so a lot of like the mystery of the unknown. 378 00:17:56,933 --> 00:17:59,533 Like who do I hire? How much is all this going to cost? 379 00:17:59,533 --> 00:18:03,733 Like how do I make all these selections and decisions if I don't know, 380 00:18:04,300 --> 00:18:07,133 you know, what the prices and what it's going to look like? 381 00:18:07,133 --> 00:18:11,533 So we try to tackle that early on and without charging a crazy amount, 382 00:18:11,533 --> 00:18:14,533 you know, a lot of interior designers, they have a pretty high, 383 00:18:15,166 --> 00:18:17,700 minimum or percentage of the project. 384 00:18:17,700 --> 00:18:22,933 And we try to do a low flat rate entry to kind of get a good plan started. 385 00:18:23,066 --> 00:18:23,400 Yeah. 386 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:26,533 And I imagine that is probably what maybe scares people 387 00:18:26,533 --> 00:18:28,733 the most about a home remodel. Is that unknown? 388 00:18:28,733 --> 00:18:33,133 And maybe they don't want to seem like they don't know what they're walking into 389 00:18:33,133 --> 00:18:36,066 because they're just a little insecure about just not knowing. 390 00:18:36,066 --> 00:18:36,466 Right. 391 00:18:36,466 --> 00:18:41,433 And so I think it is important to work with a company like, like Three Tree 392 00:18:41,433 --> 00:18:42,200 Design House 393 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:47,366 or anyone that really has expertise on it to make them feel like, okay, 394 00:18:47,633 --> 00:18:50,766 you don't know these things and that's okay, because that's what we're here for. 395 00:18:51,500 --> 00:18:55,166 Because I could see, like, myself being insecure about the fact, like, 396 00:18:55,166 --> 00:18:56,700 oh, I don't know. 397 00:18:56,700 --> 00:18:58,533 I like it's like doing taxes, right? 398 00:18:58,533 --> 00:19:00,766 I don't know, I don't know what's going on with my taxes. 399 00:19:00,766 --> 00:19:03,500 So I'm getting an expert to do my taxes for me. 400 00:19:03,500 --> 00:19:06,133 People just kind of think of it the same way as doing a home remodel. 401 00:19:06,133 --> 00:19:08,300 If they really want the most out of it. 402 00:19:08,300 --> 00:19:09,433 Yeah, absolutely. 403 00:19:09,433 --> 00:19:12,666 Because like our some of our biggest competitors, they have that kind of 404 00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:18,366 it's almost an arrogance of like, yes, you know, should you even be calling us? 405 00:19:18,366 --> 00:19:19,800 Do you have enough money? 406 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:21,766 You know, before you even get to that phase? 407 00:19:21,766 --> 00:19:25,400 There's there's a lot of like of that that we don't appreciate, 408 00:19:25,500 --> 00:19:28,833 especially as, like a, you know, we're younger business owner. 409 00:19:28,833 --> 00:19:33,833 So, we understand that we can't afford a massive remodel 410 00:19:33,833 --> 00:19:38,500 to our home or new homebuyers, you know, and so we really understand from a level 411 00:19:38,900 --> 00:19:42,600 I know of most of our, clients about just trying to, 412 00:19:44,066 --> 00:19:45,000 be smart 413 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,866 with their, you know, remodel as possible, so and realistic to. 414 00:19:49,033 --> 00:19:49,433 Yeah. 415 00:19:49,433 --> 00:19:51,600 The scariest thing is like, hey, we have this budget, 416 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:52,533 we have this big investment 417 00:19:52,533 --> 00:19:55,533 we're wanting to make, but like, how do we guarantee that 418 00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:58,566 either we're not going to go over how do we, you know, plan it 419 00:19:58,566 --> 00:20:02,100 to a way that we not we're not, you know, terrified to to start. 420 00:20:02,100 --> 00:20:02,933 So yeah. 421 00:20:02,933 --> 00:20:06,300 What do you see is the most common reason another trade pro would come 422 00:20:06,566 --> 00:20:08,700 2 or 3 tree design house. 423 00:20:08,700 --> 00:20:10,266 For your expertise in business. 424 00:20:10,266 --> 00:20:13,266 Well, we work with a lot of, 425 00:20:13,700 --> 00:20:17,400 subcontractors, especially because we do this design process all apart. 426 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:20,400 So, like, we work with other agencies, we work with, 427 00:20:21,333 --> 00:20:24,766 just to give them a flat rate plan like this. 428 00:20:24,766 --> 00:20:28,233 So blueprints, a lot of contractors don't want to have to go 429 00:20:28,233 --> 00:20:31,233 through the process of selecting materials. 430 00:20:31,300 --> 00:20:33,666 But a homeowner, sometimes it can be very trying, 431 00:20:33,666 --> 00:20:36,666 especially if you can't show them their selection 432 00:20:36,700 --> 00:20:39,833 that that like indecision sets in and they start to panic. 433 00:20:39,833 --> 00:20:41,700 Am I making the wrong choice? 434 00:20:41,700 --> 00:20:45,033 Because I can't see it, and I don't have somebody who can really tell me this. 435 00:20:45,033 --> 00:20:49,466 And a lot of contractors don't want to have to tell somebody what to pick. 436 00:20:49,466 --> 00:20:51,966 You know, it puts you kind of in a tough position. 437 00:20:51,966 --> 00:20:54,966 So so we take that role on for them. 438 00:20:55,033 --> 00:20:58,866 And then, you know, we use a lot of good technology and software 439 00:20:58,866 --> 00:21:03,300 and we try to pass that information along to other people that we know. 440 00:21:03,300 --> 00:21:06,300 And in the business world, 441 00:21:06,533 --> 00:21:09,533 try to make the industry, you know, improve it as much as we can, you know. 442 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:13,733 So you said you've been with Prosource for about like a few years now, right? 443 00:21:13,766 --> 00:21:13,966 Yeah. 444 00:21:13,966 --> 00:21:17,933 So you kind of have a good understanding of, of how you collaborate with Prosource. 445 00:21:17,933 --> 00:21:19,366 And it's it's interesting to me 446 00:21:19,366 --> 00:21:21,800 because when I talk to trade pros, it's always so different. 447 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:23,633 From business to 448 00:21:23,633 --> 00:21:26,633 business trade from member to trade pro member. 449 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:28,000 I could definitely see that. 450 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:28,533 Yeah. 451 00:21:28,533 --> 00:21:31,533 Prosource offers so many, yeah. 452 00:21:31,833 --> 00:21:34,233 Great services and resources. 453 00:21:34,233 --> 00:21:37,233 For us, my husband found Prosource, 454 00:21:37,766 --> 00:21:40,166 and told me about and we had a small office showroom 455 00:21:40,166 --> 00:21:45,400 at the time, and it was so hard for me to get the brands in and compete 456 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:49,333 because our area, you know, it's just it's hard for the small guys 457 00:21:49,333 --> 00:21:52,333 to compete sometimes and be able to show those samples that, 458 00:21:53,133 --> 00:21:55,633 and we like to show them in our clients homes anyway, 459 00:21:55,633 --> 00:21:57,400 we don't really like to have a storefront. 460 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:01,066 And so Prosource is kind of the perfect, thing that helped 461 00:22:01,066 --> 00:22:04,066 keep our overhead down and give our clients kind of this, 462 00:22:05,033 --> 00:22:08,033 luxury service of picking their, 463 00:22:08,433 --> 00:22:11,433 quality, you know, reputable materials. 464 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,233 And then in doing it in a way that's a great partnership. 465 00:22:15,300 --> 00:22:15,900 And it wasn't, 466 00:22:15,900 --> 00:22:18,900 you know, I wasn't sure until I went in and met with Melinda. 467 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:21,700 And she's just amazing from the very beginning. 468 00:22:21,700 --> 00:22:25,700 And so it was like, just kind of a match from that point. 469 00:22:25,700 --> 00:22:28,733 And we have our clients come in and having us at the showroom, 470 00:22:28,733 --> 00:22:31,800 you know, it just adds a lot depth to our, our business with them. 471 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:34,033 It's really nice and convenient. 472 00:22:34,033 --> 00:22:36,033 But what advice would you give to other trade 473 00:22:36,033 --> 00:22:38,966 professionals, business owners that are looking to either, 474 00:22:38,966 --> 00:22:41,166 start their business or grow their business? 475 00:22:41,166 --> 00:22:44,733 Lean in to connecting with your community because that's something that 476 00:22:44,733 --> 00:22:46,900 in construction, you know, you get so busy, 477 00:22:46,900 --> 00:22:50,300 it's really easy to put your head down and like, focus on your client only, 478 00:22:51,233 --> 00:22:55,866 but connecting with other contractors, connecting with like, homes 479 00:22:55,966 --> 00:22:56,800 versus network, like, 480 00:22:56,800 --> 00:23:00,666 we've gotten so many connections of other subcontractors through them. 481 00:23:01,700 --> 00:23:02,666 So that 482 00:23:02,666 --> 00:23:05,900 can help just along with keeping your business, 483 00:23:05,900 --> 00:23:08,966 you know, more consistent with volume and all that. 484 00:23:09,733 --> 00:23:09,933 Yeah. 485 00:23:09,933 --> 00:23:13,766 I mean, I think the events you guys hold are very smart 486 00:23:13,766 --> 00:23:16,600 because it's like you're dipping your toes into that community. 487 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:21,466 And that's not only helping your clients learn more about the industry, 488 00:23:21,700 --> 00:23:26,166 but it's also selfishly helping you guys because word of mouth is everything. 489 00:23:26,166 --> 00:23:27,766 Right. For a business. 490 00:23:27,766 --> 00:23:30,966 And I know you're getting you're helping both sides. 491 00:23:30,966 --> 00:23:33,133 You're helping your clients, but you're also helping her business. 492 00:23:33,133 --> 00:23:34,833 I think that is a very smart thing 493 00:23:34,833 --> 00:23:38,400 for businesses to do as little events or free classes like that. 494 00:23:38,866 --> 00:23:40,800 Reflexes are great, even just information. 495 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:42,533 Our Q&A is, you know, have a 496 00:23:42,533 --> 00:23:45,800 yeah, you know, doing things where you're just getting information out there. 497 00:23:46,233 --> 00:23:47,866 Because a lot of people are afraid to ask. 498 00:23:47,866 --> 00:23:50,900 It just makes you feel it makes you think about things also. 499 00:23:50,900 --> 00:23:55,033 So I think that's good to get more feedback in these types of classes 500 00:23:55,166 --> 00:23:58,166 and learn more about what people need, and learn 501 00:23:58,166 --> 00:24:00,000 more about what people are wanting in their home, too. 502 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,166 So it's just it's been really, really cool. 503 00:24:02,166 --> 00:24:04,333 We really enjoy that aspect of it. 504 00:24:04,333 --> 00:24:07,233 How do you see your business growing in the next five years, and 505 00:24:07,233 --> 00:24:11,433 do you have any exciting plans or goals set in mind for three three? 506 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:15,500 Yeah, so hoping to grow, 507 00:24:16,100 --> 00:24:20,100 our design and renovation build side to do bigger projects. 508 00:24:21,200 --> 00:24:24,333 We'd like to really focus more on like the high end design 509 00:24:24,333 --> 00:24:28,033 if we can, because our program really allows you to reach 510 00:24:28,033 --> 00:24:31,133 for the maximum, design without being worried about, 511 00:24:31,366 --> 00:24:34,366 you know, what, what is the cost and how is this going to actually work? 512 00:24:34,566 --> 00:24:38,133 So we would really like to do some bigger projects as it relates to that. 513 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:42,600 And in the next five years, we just we hope to grow with our team. 514 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:46,000 So we have a really wonderful team of subcontractor 515 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,233 experts, and we have what we call our recommender team. 516 00:24:49,233 --> 00:24:52,733 So they're kind of our commission based, contractors 517 00:24:52,733 --> 00:24:57,133 that they make referral commission by finding projects and connecting us. 518 00:24:57,966 --> 00:25:01,700 And so having a bigger group of, of those 519 00:25:01,700 --> 00:25:03,666 that are kind of like our little birds out there, 520 00:25:03,666 --> 00:25:05,866 you know, keeping their ears open for people that need help. 521 00:25:05,866 --> 00:25:08,400 It's kind of our, our plan right now. 522 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:10,466 Where can listeners follow your work and learn 523 00:25:10,466 --> 00:25:12,733 more about working with you all if they're interested? 524 00:25:12,733 --> 00:25:14,300 Well, we are on Instagram. 525 00:25:14,300 --> 00:25:15,933 So our three tree design house, 526 00:25:16,933 --> 00:25:18,366 and Facebook, 527 00:25:18,366 --> 00:25:23,000 and we try to do construction con every year. 528 00:25:23,466 --> 00:25:25,200 We also just do these classes. 529 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:29,000 So if you're, if you follow us on social media, we'll do announcements. 530 00:25:29,100 --> 00:25:32,100 When we're doing, you know, just our little pup classes, 531 00:25:32,166 --> 00:25:34,533 you can also reach out to schedule private quests. 532 00:25:34,533 --> 00:25:35,233 For our website. 533 00:25:35,233 --> 00:25:38,233 I have really appreciate you joining me on today's episode. 534 00:25:38,633 --> 00:25:43,733 It was really exciting and interesting to hear about your journey in this industry. 535 00:25:43,733 --> 00:25:44,733 It's very unique, 536 00:25:44,733 --> 00:25:47,100 like I mentioned earlier, and I also think, like 537 00:25:47,100 --> 00:25:48,766 I mentioned, just very inspirational. 538 00:25:48,766 --> 00:25:52,833 I think that if you're not born into a family, that's what the home 539 00:25:52,833 --> 00:25:55,966 remodeling industry and you just have like a little bit of interest into it, 540 00:25:56,333 --> 00:25:57,300 you can do it right. 541 00:25:57,300 --> 00:26:00,866 With with enough, passion and hard work, you can 542 00:26:01,366 --> 00:26:04,366 maybe find yourself opening up your own business like you did. 543 00:26:04,533 --> 00:26:05,633 Yes, absolutely. 544 00:26:05,633 --> 00:26:07,800 Definitely be empowered to to do it because it's, 545 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:10,066 you know, it's just step by step and learning. 546 00:26:10,066 --> 00:26:11,466 So I really appreciate it. 547 00:26:11,466 --> 00:26:15,200 Mollie, I appreciate you having me on and your questions and I guess thank you. 548 00:26:18,700 --> 00:26:21,466 Thank you for joining us today on The ProSource Podcast. 549 00:26:21,466 --> 00:26:24,633 Please like and subscribe to us wherever you get your podcast. 550 00:26:25,133 --> 00:26:27,333 Also follow us on social media, 551 00:26:27,333 --> 00:26:31,000 check out our website at prosourcewholesale.com, and visit 552 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:35,000 your local ProSource Wholesale showroom for all of your home remodeling needs.