Building a business has a lot to do with the connections you make and recruiting the expertise of others. At a critical point, we turned to Business Networks to help us become a more professional company, developing the best solutions to support our growing client list and expanding team. Among those innovations was the evolution of our distinctive standardized procedures, which assure clients a reliable, consistent process.
Moving to our offices at 1235 SE Division Street, was a big deal. Now that we were no longer stuck in Wade’s attic, we had room to expand our design team – and expertise – with the addition of a kitchen and bath designer and a design assistant, both certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Years of award-winning kitchen and bath remodels were soon to follow.
Our relationship with the American Heritage Center takes off. Like so many who treasure Portland and its historic buildings, we have benefitted tremendously from the AHC. Besides furthering our company’s knowledge of Portland’s housing stock and architectural styles, this invaluable resource provided exposure for Craftsman Design’s expertise, introducing us to some of our most beloved clients and projects (see milestones for 2006, 2007 and 2011). Wade ultimately served on the AHC board from 2003 to 2005.
Wade had always been interested in older homes and their histories. In 1994, he finally was in the position to purchase a home of his own. The 1906 fixer became not only Wade’s first experience with home-ownership, but as a general contractor as well. Frustrated with the quality of work and poor communication he encountered, Wade fired his contractor and assumed the role himself. Realizing his passion, temperament and skills for the work, Wade switched careers, leaving behind his job as a department head at an exhibit design firm, and setting up shop in his home attic in 1996.
