This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Patrick Cain of Patrick Cain Designs about his interesting path to becoming a furniture designer, and the business side of being a maker.

 

LET’S CHAT!

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NOTABLE MOMENTS :

• Patrick attributes his success to having a curiosity and learning.
• He started mid-century modern and moved into minimalist design.
• He’s currently working on a brutalist vibe with a little touch of Memphis. 
• Patrick’s company employs people from every continent. 
• The shop’s process is super collaborative. Patrick has everyone in the shop give input. 
• In addition to his main site, Patrick sells his second hand concrete pieces on Etsy, and also at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. 
• “Do what you like, save what you love as a hobby”. 
• Patrick looks at selling at the flea market as free A/B testing. He can tell if he’s doing the right thing by who approaches him to hear more.
• “I believe in open cabinetry because you can’t hide things!”
• The dogs in Patrick’s photos are from Angel City Pitbulls.
• If you’re thinking of starting a business, focus on a product that’s safe and then expand.

 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING FURNITURE:

• If it’s MDF or particle board it’s not going to hold up.
• The heavier the better.
• Look for furniture that is environmentally friendly. Things that are made from new materials are better if they’re going to last 10 years.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS:

• Patrick uses recycled styrofoam in his concrete pieces.
• Their team looks for fallen trees and materials that can be reclaimed. 

 

SOME CHALLENGES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS/MOST REWARDING:

• One of the biggest challenges is, Los Angeles doesn’t make it easy to run a business.
• Being able to pay yourself is tough- it goes to employees and getting reinvested.
• Having steady work.
• Finding employees! Finding reliable people is so difficult.
• Having a happy customer is really rewarding. 

FIND PATRICK:

Website | patrickcaindesigns.com

The Gram | @patrickcaindesigns

Facebook | facebook.com/PatrickCainDesigns

Pinterest | pinterest.com/PCD_Furniture

 

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