This week in our ongoing Meet the Maker series, we’re getting to know Ryan and Amanda Fitzgerald, the designer and business maverick and maven behind the raw and repurposed wood and metal art line FITZ Fabrications.
LBC: What inspired you to take the leap as an entrepreneur?
Ryan + Amanda: We had belief in our product and a desire to make it happen. It didn’t happen overnight — Amanda and I both worked full time jobs when we founded FITZ Fabrications. A year’s worth of early morning and late night work before and after “work” helped gain traction for our brand — after a year and a half, I (Ryan) now work full time for FITZ Fabrications.
LBC: How would you describe what you create?
Ryan + Amanda: Raw and re-purposed. Approximately 90% of the materials we use to create our products are old and recycled. We get a thrill from taking something old and making something new — what a cool concept!
LBC: When you first got started, how did you envision your business would be defined?
Ryan + Amanda: We have a handful of core values that are specific to our brand:
1. Be creative and resourceful.
2. Be gracious and generous.
3. Be detailed.
4. Work hard.
LBC: Where can we find your products?
Ryan + Amanda: You can order online through our website, Etsy store, and Country Outfitter’s Marketplace. In Tulsa and metropolitan area, River City Trading Post, IDA Red, and On the Corner. You can also find us traveling around the nation at craft shows: War Eagle Fair, An Affair of the Heart, The Little Craft Show, Vintage Market Days of Northwest Arkansas, Renegade Craft Fair — just to name a few!
LBC: Walk us through a typical work day.
Ryan + Amanda: Every day looks different and is subject to change here at FITZ Fabrications. However, there are a few things that are staples day in and day out. We always begin and end our work day by checking emails and our website orders. From there, we start in on the day’s goals, which we usually lay out every Sunday night.
LBC: What are the some things makers should think through when they initially decide to start a business?
Ryan + Amanda:
1. Product quality
2. Business efficiency
3. Customer care
LBC: When you’re overwhelmed, what brings you back to focus?
Ryan + Amanda: Complete one task at a time. A person usually gets overwhelmed when there is a lot to manage. Make a list of all the things that need to happen, prioritize the list, and complete a task, in full, before moving to the next.
LBC: Tell us about a few of the best business decisions you’ve made to date.
Ryan + Amanda:
1. Building social media platforms for our brand. It’s a great way to connect with folks and introduce them to your products.
2. Always exploring new ways to better our products.
3. Word of mouth is huge — don’t be narcissistic, but talk about your business and products with people you meet. Continuously give out business cards and point people to your website.
LBC: Please share one mistake or obstacle from your business experience.
Ryan + Amanda: We have plenty of obstacles in our line of work. Our product is so unique and recycled that we’re always working through road blocks. For instance, we make live edge walnut tables with metal legs. Most of the time, we use hairpin legs on our tables, but one day we had the idea to use plumbers pipe. As suspected, plumbers pipe is used for plumbing, not for table legs — with persistence and creative thinking, we made a beautiful set of table legs using plumbers pipe!
LBC: Is there a cause or organization that you’re particularly passionate about?
Ryan + Amanda: We contribute to our local church every month. We believe it’s a place for community and a place that makes a difference collectively in the world.
LBC: What are 3 essential resources in your business toolbox you can’t do without?
Ryan + Amanda: 1. Wise friends to offer advice
2. Adobe Creative Suite
3. Squarespace
LBC: Suppose we had a time machine. If we blasted ourselves forward a few years, where would we see your company?
Ryan + Amanda: Our desire is to have a thriving e-commerce on our website. We hope to be shipping to all fifty states every week.
LBC: What’s the one thing you would eat, if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life?
Ryan + Amanda: Chips & Salsa for Ryan. Avocado for Amanda.
LBC: Tell me about a few of the places on your travel “bucket list”.
Ryan + Amanda:
We’ve been saving and dreaming of a month long trip to Europe for a few years now. This summer we’re finally getting that opportunity: Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, London!
LBC: If you were given a million dollars, but were not allowed to keep a single penny for yourself, friends, or family, how would you spend it or give it away?
Ryan + Amanda: We would provide full scholarships to help deserving, underprivileged people earn a college degree — it would completely change their life and they would impact the world positively. We would also look into supporting world missions who are helping meet basic needs of people: food, shelter, water.
Thank you, Ryan + Amanda, for sharing your talent with us (and your favorite snacks – yum)! We absolutely love your line and we look forward to all the wonderful things ahead for FITZ Fabrications! We’re cheering you on!
Want to see your brand featured in our continuing “Meet the Maker” series? Drop us a line: hello AT luckybreakconsulting.com. Please use “MEET THE MAKER” as the subject line and be certain to include your web address. We look forward to hearing from you!
