My stairbuilding catalyst in a nutshell
I have been asked many times where I get my passion for stairbuilding…..so in a nutshell….I am warning you, its a BIG nut!! ha…..so here it is…
I graduated from HS in 1972,,,yea,,,I am getting on the “other side” . I was always interested in math and physics and received straight A’s in them. Did I place in the top 1/4 of my class of 110…no. I have a problem that if I am not interested in something such as English, History,.,etc…I give it no effort.,..but the math and science I would go at them with an obsession.
I was enrolled at DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, but never attended. I went up late in the summer before classes to find an apartment. I had the biggest gut ache as I could not stand all the concrete and steel and people. I came from a rural area and I just had not grown up yet. I dropped out before even attending. I remember my dad saying that I could work for him on the farm while I figured out what I wanted to do. Let me mention that dad had a large farming operation..all his land was paid for…and I had a silver spoon situation. However…I am extremely independant like my dad….and I just didnt want any special offers. So I just basically worked for wages,,,bought only a corn planter in my 15 years of farming. I hated my situation. I had not found myself and I can remember many times just going out by myself and sobbing. 15 years of this started an embryo for one very large catalyst that was about to bust out of its shell.
This shell cracked one day in June of 1986. My dad and I were sitting in the truck watching some grain being loaded in a wagon. I was a very timid and quiet person and for me to say what I was to say to my dad…took years of this festering misery with my farming occupation. I finally mustered up the courage to say to dad….” I am going to find somethine else to do after this year”. Dad just looked at me….and said….”WHERE are YOU going to find a job?”
Man…I got to tell you this hurts still to type…but this was the turning point in my life. Even though dad was stating cold reality..because at that time it was hard to find any kind of work…I took it personal. I didnt utter a word, but my soul was boiling. I had never felt so diminished in all my life…
I went home and had been sitting in my chair staring at the wall…and finally my wife asked…”What is wrong with you tonight?” I said with a tear in my eye…that I was done farming after this year and I dont care if I am stocking shelves at K-mart…I was going to do something else.
The fall farm work went on…and I had been searching the want ads for weeks. I found an ad from a contractor looking for a carpenter. I called up and was hired over the phone. I was so elated to have a job that paid $7.50 an hour.
I told my dad and he didnt say a word. Enough about that area…it took him years to realize I meant what I said.
I showed up for my new job in late November…I had all new equipment,..even a new flanel shirt. My contractor seeing me for the first time…walked over and said…new tool belt? then he pulled my hammer out…and said new hammer? then my tape measure…and said “new tape measure? Just how much experience do you have?
I knew this was a defining moment, and with all the quick and cool thinking I could muster…I replied “After today I will have one full day of experience!? My employer paused..then just laughed the biggest laugh. I didnt know if I was coming back for a 2nd day or not. Well…I did make it and stayed with him till the spring. I was working on some trim when the best and the biggest contractor was talking to my boss how one of his trim carpenters left to go on his own and they were short of help. This is the spring of 1987 when the big building boom started.
I high tailed it down to this major company over noon hour and applied. The boss asked me if I could build stairways. I again had to think fast…I was thinking….he asked if I “could” build stairways…not if I “have”. I answered immeditately, even though I had never built so much as a two step stoop….”Yes..I can build stairways!” He said “Good, youre hired and I have a stairway for you to build in a few weeks” I went home with a catalyst burning so deep and researched everything I could find about stairways..mind you, no google or computer back then.
I started my new job…and with some desperate prayers to God…built that stairway. I was called in after it was completed and received a one dollar raise. Now mind you…after a year at this company,…25 cents or maybe 50 cents was the norm.
My employer then asked me another question which had me digging fast for a comeback. He asked…”Stan, how many stairs have you built? I replied….”You wouldnt believe how many! I got away with not revealing my secret of this being my first stairway.
I was blessed with stairs after stairs..after stairs. i loved the challenge and loved life again.
Well this catalyst really started getting out of hand thanks to Fine Homebuilding. I still have the magazine that changed my life forever. It was an article about three curved stairbuilders…one especially that worked in the sanctity of his own stairshop. I drooled over that article repeatedly. The catalyst was having gasoling dumped on it now.
I tried for a few years to let my employer have me build a curved stairway. No luck…I was going to have to find one by moonlighting. I had the first section of my stairshop built because I was prefabbing straight stairs for my employer and installing them after hours.
I went to look at a moonlight job for another straight stairway..when the contractor thrust a set of prints in front of me showing a curved stairway. “Can you build this?” I again dug deep and knowing I had never built a curved stairway,..said with confidence “Yes, I can build that” He asked me to give him a price. I went out to my truck and conservatively figured out a price that had plenty of “head scratching and learning time in it” and went back in with a quote. I ended up coming home with a $5000 down payment that day!
I remember ordering all the materials…then when they arrived …I went out to my stair shop to start on this stairs. I had an inmediate dose of reality right then. I had spent all that $5000 on parts and I had the biggest gut ache come across me. It was an almost unsurmountable task. I just remenber making two fists. and saying outloud in my shop…”I can and I will build this stairway! ” I did get it built…and the rest is history. I moonlighted until I was confident I could make it on my own/
Now in 1997,…I was still working for this major contractor. I had just passed my 10 year anniversary with them by two days. Something in me clicked…and I realized if I didnt go on my own now…I would soon be there 15 years…then 20…then it probably would be too late.
I thought to myself the seriousness of leaving the best and a very secure job I had ever had. I had overtime 52 weeks a year. But I thought to myself…”I would rather try and have failed…than failed to have tried”. So I gave my notice and the rest is history.
I have remained small…but I have had the biggest life from following my gut…and I never ever forget thanking God for giving me a free will to do such.
Sorry for this long winded story…but in reality…I am leaving out scores of experiences that I have been blessed going through.
My latest is this Dewalt contest…and I swear this thread is no way connected as I dont think one more vote could be mustered out of this fine group anyway. I believe this contest will be the pinnacle of my career and its causing me to reflect on where I cane from. It doesnt matter where I place…I have had a life I wont forget.
Stan
Replies
Thanks Stan.
Good story.
Inspirational Stan...we can all say, I knew him when he was in a contest for Dewalt...
I hope your dad came to realize that there was a reason you had to move on. I'm not admitting anything, but I may have squeezed more than 3 votes in for you...I'm just sayin'.
Mike: My dad did accept my decision about 3 years later. He is 87 and very much proud how it all turned out. Farming just was not a passion of mine...it was just a job while I found myself.
Stan
Stan
Great story.
I'm glad it only tok your Dad 3 years to come around. He sounds like a wonderful man, even if he was kind of short on words in the story.
We all need to find a way to do what we are passionate about.
Rich
I was trying to keep the story short as possible...but in doing so I left out of volumes of stuff I could have talked about.
One thing that comes to mind is that while farming..and feeling I was in a rut....I felt like a balloon being squeezed. It finally kept squeezing till it popped out the side.
When I started making a living on my own instead of from inside the family, I had such a sense of accomplishment. I was an embarrassment to my dad until that person inside me came out several years later.
ONE EXTREMENLY MAJOR point is that those 15 years farming were not waisted or in vain. I look back at them now smiling...those years of private sobbing to myself gave me the catalyst that is ever bit as strong as it is now. I just look back where I came from and thank God I went through those times. Like i said...I was a very quiet and insecure person then. I didnt have much self confidence in myself.
Oh..while I was farming...that catalyst started in me and a hired hand mentioned his muzzleloading hobby of his to me back in 1979. I found myself going to the National Muzzleloading convention and coming home with a hunk of curly maple. I spent my off winter season turning an obsession I had burning in me to be able to do something with my hands. Thats where I learned woodworking with minimal tools. I went on building 8 Kentucky longrifles and entered competition shooting with them. I won several Illinois championships and in 1989 won the national Musket championship by one point. I had so much pressure in me building up to do something with my life...that I squeezed out into this muzzleloading sport. What I didnt realize I was getting my confidence for the first time in my life...
Back to the stair career...my wife and many others have mentioned many times how much bigger my stairbuilding business had been if I had started without waisting those 15 years of farming. My reply is I wouldnt have made it...I needed those years to melt me down....temper me with fire...
Sorry for the rant...but it better explains where I am coming from.
Edited 11/30/2008 11:07 am ET by StanFoster
Edited 11/30/2008 11:08 am ET by StanFoster
...if I had started without waisting those 15 years of farming.
and without those years you wouldn't know what it's like to not work your hands and creativuty. Kind of like the yin/yang, happiness/sadness, ups/downs. Without one, you don't have the other.
Stan,Thanx for sharing your story.Best of luck in the Dewalt 17. Your stair project outshines the others.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
What a great story, reminds me of the article in FH by larry Haun "one carpenters life"......maybe you should submit yours
liveinsawdust: I am not worthy of submitting an article like Larry Haun did. That was one special person and a true cornerstone in the industry. I am just a much smaller influence and telling my story here is about as big as I want it to get.,,but thanks...that was a nice comment.
Stan
Edited 12/1/2008 9:27 pm ET by StanFoster
Bump
You may not really be promoting this contest, but I will:
VOTE HERE
And thanks for the story. I love history.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
You wouldnt believe how many!
I love that line! Thanks for sharing.
Stan - I just discovered another latent talent of yours...writing! Thanks for sharing that, I feel like I lived it right along side you!
edited to add: can I use this on my website? I'll give you full credit for writing it. I just love it and want to share it with others.
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Edited 11/30/2008 9:14 am by Huck
Huck: Please use it anyway you want. Its a story I am proud of, even though the beginning chapters were the tough ones.
Stan
"just discovered another latent talent of yours...writing! "Yah, for someone who didn't do his homework in English class...LOLDid you notice he is humble too?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin: I appreciate your comments...makes me feel nice about myself. You just cant put a price on nice.
I just had to vent off a little of where I am coming from. I keep getting e-mails asking me to do so,,,,so I finally pulled the plug a little and let some of my story out. I could have written 20 times as much,...but I am a slow typer....that wasnt my favorite subject in school either!
Stan
Stan,
Thank you for the great story. We all have those defining moments that we either follow them or escape them. Mine was when I had enough courage to tell my dad I didn't want to be a truck mech. the rest of my life.
So at 30 I to entered the world of carpentry at $6 an hour and never looked back.
My journey has not been smooth at points but God has blessed me with what ever I needed to continue on this journey.
Once again thank you for sharing your journey.
GaryS
Stan,
What a story.
Wish the same had happened to me. At 65, I look back and think, "where should I have changed direction?".
We're all glad you found your "thing".........amazing
Pete
Stan I a pretty sure I have that issue!!
didn't one guy have to corkscrew the stairs thru a big R.O.??
Nice story!!
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion"
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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.
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
Mister T- yes...it was a guy with the last name of Mulder out of Michigan.the first name escapes me... I think it was Don...I havent read that article for a few years..
I was in awe...and I kind of mirrored his work...I have stolen one of his phrases he mentioned..."I love to work in the sanctity of my shop" I have parroted that phrase...and used it here many times. That mans story changed my life. I dreamed of the day that would happen to me. That dream came true and I never will take my situation for granted. The fire is in my belly hot as ever. I just think back to my past..at its like a rush of oxygen going over the coals in my gut and the flames just pooff out.
Stan
Stan,It has been great of you to share your work and "trade secrets" here... the pics you post are impeccable, the explanations of your methods allow some of us to imagine that we could attempt something similar, and the story of how you came to your trade is an inspiration.My attempt to flatter you with "imitation" will happen this winter. Starting small, I will rebuild a half flight and will just curve the outside stringer on the open side. Just adding a little flare.As busy as you have been with the Dewalt contest, you may not have seen my latest set of stairs... very crude 6x6 timber stairs. Kinda funny to compare with your work.Regards,Brian
Stan, what a great and inspiring story. I've always admired your work, but never knew the story behind it. Now I admire it more!You've got my votes.Benhttp://www.truenorthcarpentry.net
I gotta ask: is that pic on your website of the "helper" showing the toolbox you keep it in? Must be pretty handy to pull that out in a pinch!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Stan, Thanks so much for your story ! It was a great read. Many of us had defining times like that. I used to ask myself, when is this damn character building going to stop ? My early work was on a dairy farm. I think the repeated being hit in the face by a wet tail at 3 am helped build the fire in my belly to do something more ! !Greg
Thanks everyone...I just wanted to explain my obsession with my career and why it still gives me goosebumps. I never will forget where I came from, and how it got me to where I am.
By the way..."where I am" does not mean I am knocking down big bucks...because I am not at all. I am making a good living and my stair business is 100% of the family income.
I know I could hire a bunch of people...go at it like I am killing snakes...and I guarantee I would not be as happy making more money. I am kind of a loner...and can quit anytime I want and go fly. This past two months have been at a schedule I dont like with this contest...but its over and I have more time. I never work weekends in my shop..with the exception of this contest. This contest has actually helped me financially as I worked some huge days getting this done on time as well as some other stair projects....but I did not enjoy the stress part of it. This proves to me what I just said...I wouldnt enjoy making the extra money.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
No, of course not.That would never hold him. The one I keep him in is MUCH stronger. :)http://www.truenorthcarpentry.net
hey, stan,....best of luck on the vote totals...you're number 1 with us
thanks for the illinois farmboy story.... could be a book in there Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Bump...Gotta make sure Stan doesn't fall by the wayside to an inferior product.
Brian: Hey... I missed your stairs. I am not the type to ignore or not comment on something after I have seen it. The last few months have me just glancing and clicking on a few place.
Stan
Stan,I do a few staircases each year, but mostly fairly routine stuff. The stairs I did this month were outside stairs to my basement. They are landscape timber 6x6 with a log cabin detail on one side and a "housed-tread" on the foundation side with a stringer below the 6x and another, inverted stringer above the stairs. Lots of notching for lap joints on the retaining wall side.Definately on the other end of the stairbuilding spectrum (chunky vs. curvy)... you might find them interesting or at least amusing:Regards,Brian
Brian: Those look stout enough for an elephant! i like the half lap joints...thats a strong detail. A more formal stairway would not fit in. You matched it perfect to the surroundings.
Stan
Stan Loved the story,it hit home telling of farming but you did get a strong work ethic out of it, farming that is I know I did, even though it was not to be my passion either but I know people can never take away my roots and memories our where I came from in life Good Luck and kee[p up the good work in life.
Stan,
Thank You.
I am going to forward your story to my son. Been telling both my kids to "follow the passion" when it comes to your life's work.
Nice to see someones story in print about the success of doing so .
Interesting story, thanks for sharing.
By the way, I'd love to see some photos of your muzzleloaders if you get a chance, I'm sure they are awesome. I spent an enjoyable day with mine today, hunting in the wind and snow during our opening weekend. I looked like a snowman when I came out of the woods, but I love it. Just got done cleaning & oiling my rifle up.
Good luck in the contest, you've got my vote.
Mike
Mike: Thanks...I will try and post some pics of a Kentucky flintlock I have in a few days.
Stan
"Sorry for this long winded story..."
Wish it were longer.
I only get to read something this good once a year or so.
And you have not yet reached the pinnacle of your career! Just as when you first signed on and built your first stair but had no idea you would ever be doing this - so too, you have no way of knowing how much God still has in store for you.
Enjoy the surprises along the way.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Bump
This is far too good to allow it to pass into the netherworld after only a short lifespan of one prime-time cycle
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Stan,
You were 32 when you started in carpentry?? Like many others, the story makes me
admire your work even more. Happen to know the issue number of the story??
Best of luck in the contest.
-d
dcarroll: I was 33 when I started carpentry.. The issue of FH was the Dec1987Jan88 issue. It has the Jap guy on the cover nailing down copper shingles.
I just dug the issue out...and it still brings a tear to my eye. That one issue focused me for the rest of my life.
Stan
I'member that issue!The cover at least.I had moved here from CO and a BIL mentioned FHB, but I had never heard of it before. So he showed me a copy. That was the one. He was proud enough of his complete collection that he would not let me take it out of the house with me though. I could only read it while there visiting.'course you know how in-laws are.
So it wasn't long before I had my own subscription.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Stan,
I have talked about your work since the day I first read one of your post. I once even tried to get a customer to let you price some work for them.
Your story is inspiring to me and many others. I grew up doing this for a living and was expected to succeed because, "we can't all be brain surgeons"
I have a passion for my work that I don't see in many other people, you seem to have that passion along withmany other people onthis site.
I finally made my jump a litttle over a year ago. If I have half the passion that you do I think things may work out for me.
Thank you for sharing. I know that it's not always easy.
You brought a tear to my eye with what you wrote. Your story is now on my wall above the desk so I see it. It is a good reminder of how there is always a greater power then me in where I end up.
There should be a thread where more people tell their story. I could think of a few who's story I would like to know.
October 17th, 2009
Jeremy and Lisa
Was there ever any doubt?
I registered on the Dewalt site earlier today so that I could start voting for you.
Your stairway is amazing.
You have a true gift.
Thanks for giving us a glimpse of how you've gotten to where you are!
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
I have been influenced through my life by reading success stories of other people. I feel you get out of life what you put into it. So...I am just trying to put back.
Stan
I appreciate the interest in the thread...overwhelmed is more like it. I feel there are a lot of unanswered questions to from all the fine people here. Anyone wanting to ask me anything, I will try my best to answer. If I dont want to..I will just say so. Please ask anything you can think of.
Stan
Here's a question...
You built an amazing stairway, on a tight deadline, with an informative and picture heavy blog, on two separate sites, ...yet you have answered EVERYONE'S question or comments no matter what time the question was posted...On top of that, you have humbily campaigned for all 17 contestants in the contest, not just yourself..
You know what? there's no question, just awe.
Try to get some sleep Stan
Mike: Thanks....but I will admit....the building of the stairways wasnt tiring... but this internet stuff is starting to wear on me. I am thinking about backing off...and just letting the stairs vote for themselves. I can live easily with a 17th place or 2nd...
I have won already with the nice comments. But...I am tired.
Stan
Stan:
I also found the FHB stairbuilding story inspirational enough to visit the guy in Michigan, Battle Creek? He was very friendly and we had a nice time.
I've built a stair and a curved railing or two since, but nothing like what you've done.
With the Michigan economy, I'm about done in carpentry. I'm enrolled in a local commmunity college and I'm a year younger than you. My wife has a real job so I might be in school a while.
With your story, it's never too late.
Thanks,
Kowboy
Kowboy: You just gave me a fantastic idea! When I get my turbine powered helicopter running....I will plan a flight to see David Mulder in Michigan. What an experience that will be, to meet and talk to a private Icon of mine...the guy who I have drooled over and thought how could I become him?
i was reading the article last night...and it was almost scary. Mr. Mulder had a shop with 18 foot ceiling....mine are 17 ft....he is in a little woods of 15 acres...I am in a woods of 16 acres....he plans to bulld next to his shop someday showcasing one of his stairways....I am planning to build next to my shop someday and also showcase a stairway. He works in the sanctity of his shop...and I work in the sanctity of my shop. He started out building any type of stairway from two step stoops or anything......same here.
Anyway...that article forever changed my life...and if any of you have the 25th anniversary issue of Fine Homebuilding...you will find a letter I sent to Fine Homebuilding telling them how that article changed my life. I had no idea they were going to print it...and I was actually working out of town on a curved stairway when the contractor came by and said..."hey..I saw your letter in Fine Homebuilding....I had no idea what he was talking about till I read it myself.
Stan
Stan,
thanks for the story... it was a great one. inspirational too.
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
Pete: Comments from people like you and all the others makes me feel glad I posted this nutshell thread. I could have said a lot more...but then it wouldnt be in a nutshell! ha
Stan
One of my teachers used to tell me, If you've got it in your head, you've got it in a nutshell!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com