My Story (Why I Love To Build)

The summer I was 14, I stayed home while my family traveled for my brother’s boot camp graduation. My dad and I spent a week building a deck on our house — and that week became the most meaningful time I ever spent with him. He wasn’t always around when I was a kid, but on that project, we talked about life, listened to music, and built something real together. 

Little did I know it would be the last time I’d ever spend that kind of one-on-one time with him. A few years later, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away at just 50 years old. Losing him was devastating — and looking back now, that week building the deck wasn’t just about learning to use tools. It was about connection, pride, confidence, and the joy of creating something with your own hands. 

That one project changed the course of my life. It sparked my love for building and eventually led me through a career in carpentry, teaching, and now helping others discover what building can do for them. I still miss my dad every day — and I honor him in every project I build and every class I teach.

Here, we believe you’re one project away from:

I’m here to help you do just that. Now let’s go build something.

— Kelly