Meet Ryan McKrell of Shale Valley Building / GRIT terrazzo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan McKrell.

Hi Ryan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started in the trades about 7 years ago. At the time I was working in a cafe tinkering with almost any idea that came to mind. Most of my ideas took me to a completely different corner so I’d have to pick up all the nuances, tricks and advice I could. I was processing a roll of 16mm film in my basement one night and the next I was making wax casts for jewelry. I would say I’m seasoned in learning as I’m going.

Which led me to thinking I should pick up welding. I stuck with it. I enjoyed the shop environment and fabrication so I decided to take some tests and get my certificates through Lincoln Electric.

I moved to Washington state and worked for company that did custom fabrication and installations for Google and many other large companies in Seattle. This solidified my building knowledge and problem solving even more.

I eventually moved back to Cleveland, got married and was thinking about another career. I was torn between being a mechanic or carpenter. My thought process was that everyone needs that type of work no matter who or where you are. I eventually landed on being a carpenter.

I worked for a couple family owned companies and learned a tremendous amount from all the trades involved. After continuing my education of what goes into a home and commercial spaces I realized I could attempt my own approach as a business. I just said “ Let’s see, worst case I just go back to what I was doing”

So I started my construction company Shale Valley Building. I hired my brother-in-law and we started with bathrooms, basements, decks, painting, drywall and pretty much anything that came our way.

While growing my company I met wonderful clients that took a chance on a small business. I completed larger more detailed projects and ultimately saw I could do this.

While stabilizing my work flow with Shale Valley Building I was searching for another way to approach building. It took a while to conjure up something that was missing from Cleveland since there are so many artists and trades doing some amazing things.

So I created GRIT terrazzo, a custom terrazzo surfaces company. My concept was locally recycled material and community outreach. We partner with bars, restaurants and other local companies. We offer whoever is interested a large bin to recycle glass back into our surfaces. It’s a free service.

We then clean, crush, sort and size all the glass for the surfaces we make. No more than 20 miles away from where we process it.

GRIT terrazzo has been received very well throughout Cleveland. The concept is still new and I’m hoping it takes off into directions unknown to me. All I know is that I’ll keep learning as all my ideas grow and I know I will meet some amazing people along the way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running any business is difficult. I’m the type of person who wants to know everything about all things especially if it’s related to my business. I struggled with letting go. I had to find the right people to fill those gaps.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
In a broad sense at Shale Valley Building we are general contractors. We work residential and are expanding into commercial applications. I like to think of us as an extension of whoever we are working for. We enjoy doing odd things other contractors tend to stray away from. We try to align how we build with whoever we build with.

At GRIT terrazzo we are Cleveland focused. Something that was missing from ordinary building for me was the community out reach. We pick up your trash. Keep products local. Seek out small businesses that want to partner. It created a community at such an early phase. I was met with a tremendous amount of positivity and it’s continuing to show. Being part of something bigger than myself has always grounded me.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There are a few books that I think people should read in their lifetime. My favorite so far has been “ A Thousand Waves” by David K. Reynolds

Pricing:

• Our terrazzo surfaces start at $100 sq/ft

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Shalevalleybuilding and also grit.terrazzo