Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Camden.
Hi Craig, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My father has been a talented woodworker ever since I can remember. I was always intrigued to see what sort of imaginative creation he could fashion from a scrap piece of wood. My personal affinity for woodworking and building developed while obtaining my bachelor’s in fine arts at Ohio University, Athens. I originally enrolled in the acting program at OU with intentions of becoming famous under the bright lights, but after several quarters of productions design and technology my interests turned from fame and fortune to power tools and sawdust. Over the course of the next 4 years, I became a master at building one wall but making the audience feel like there were four walls. My studies in technical directing laid a firm foundation of proper construction methods, power tool operation, and safety, and problem solving as it relates to building. After college, like many members of my generation, my bachelor’s degree got little to no use, and woodworking or building was just a hobby at best. Instead, I pursued the stereotypical “American Dream”. I got a corporate gig, married the girl of my dreams, had two amazing boys, got a house, a dog, and a partridge in a pear tree. I eventually became a very successful customer service manager working for a fortune 100 company making a handsome salary and leading a team of professionals. I worked long, stress-filled hours being mentally and spiritually violated by savage consumers, unattainable Key Performance Indicators, and an inbox that seemed to be a descendant of the Gremlins because the moment you solved one issue and were able to delete the email, 2 more magically spawned in its place! 15 or so years passed in the industry and my wife and adoring children began to catch on that I was a mere shell of my former self. They could see my not-so-well-kept secret, that this career made me very unhappy and it was in fact killing me slowly. A career change was needed and quickly. So fast forward past the gut-twisting debate of “what comes next?”, “can we even manage this type of financial transition?” and “are we completely insane for even considering this?” And we decided to abandon everything we had ever known, and I became a finish carpenter. Here’s the craziest part. I finally got work lined up with help from a family member in the trade, started Camden Carpentry LLC., valiantly handed in my 2 weeks’ notice to the stable corporate gig and the next day the entire world came to a screeching and unprecedented halt with COVID-19. By the grace of God, trades were considered “essential workers” and I was able to start working. I’ve spent the last several years learning the secrets of trim carpentry and am now my own small business owner.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not. Between never having owned my own business, learning a new trade at nearly 40 years old, the pandemic, and the entire family’s livelihood on the line as the primary source of income, it’s one of the scariest things my wife and I have ever done as a couple. But we walk in confidence that God wants more for us. He wants us to be happy and live abundantly using the gifts he gave us. So that’s what we are striving for. My wife graciously agreed to go back to work part-time doing what she loves, healing people through massage therapy and my business continues to build.
As you know, we’re big fans of Camden Carpentry LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in interior trim work. The bulk of my work currently is on new build residential homes. I also have some experience with remodel work. I enjoy tackling unique projects and bringing someone else’s vision (or someone’s Pinterest idea) to real life. Custom closets, lockers/cubbies, wall details, those are some of my favorite projects because they can bring a small drab space to life, and it doesn’t take weeks on end to execute. What sets me apart from my competitors is that I chose to do this because I enjoy it. This isn’t some dead-end job to me. I take pride in what I do and who I am. And while you may not be able to tell from the truck I drive, I’m not your average finish carpenter. I have a bachelor’s degree is fine arts and I’ve spent well over a decade in customer service.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
God gets credit first in my story. Secondly, I have the most supportive, understanding, loving, and hard-working wife in my corner at all times.
Darin and Aarin Armbruster for taking a chance on me and your mentorship.
My parents and family for their constant encouragement and my two boys for wanting to be a carpenter when they grow up and making me feel like a hero in my own home.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @camdencarpentryllc
