“Nailed It: My First Blog (Go Easy on Me!)”

From Strength to Strength: Building a Business That Works as Hard as We Do

I’ve been building project dreams, extensions, and just about everything in between for years, but putting words together? Let’s just say I’m more comfortable with a saw in hand than a

keyboard. Still, here we are—time to give it a go.

Running a business is a bit like juggling flaming torches while walking a tightrope. Except, in my case, I decided to build the tightrope myself, just to make it more interesting.

When I started Arundel Carpentry & Construction, I knew two things: I love bringing visions to life and I hate working with drama. Thankfully, that mindset has been the backbone (or maybe the dovetail joint) of our success. Over a small period, we’ve grown from a one-man band with a tool belt and a dream to a trusted team delivering high-quality carpentry and building works across West Sussex.

Staying Cool Under Pressure

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that a calm head in the storm is worth more than the fanciest toolkit. (Although let’s be honest, we’ve got some pretty fancy tools now, too.) Whether it’s an unexpected design change or a client who suddenly decides they’d like a walk-in wardrobe the size of Narnia, staying relaxed and focused has been my secret weapon.

There’s no place for panic in this business—it just sawdusts up the works. I trust my team, trust my gut, and when in doubt, trust that a good cup of tea can solve most problems.

Great Clients, Great Projects

The other key to our success? Amazing clients. Honestly, we’ve been lucky to work with people who genuinely value the work we do. Working relationships are so important for having that pleasant environment for everybody to produce top quality projects and having all the trades enjoying there time spent in site.

Streamlining the Chaos

Now, I’ll admit, one area I’m looking to improve is communication. Like most businesses, we’ve been drowning in emails and phone calls—sometimes I feel like I’ve spent more time typing than hammering. So, we’re trialing a few different scheduling and communication systems.

The idea is simple: make it easy for clients to stay updated without having to scroll through 50 email threads or leave endless voicemails. (If I never hear, “Hi, just checking in…” again, it’ll be too soon.) This way, we can focus more on the quality of the work we produce and less on untangling the admin spaghetti.

Keeping it Simple

If there’s one lesson I’d like to pass on to anyone thinking of starting their own business, it’s this: trust your instincts, keep things simple, and always focus on the bigger picture. And remember, there’s no problem too big for a fresh brew and a five-minute laugh with the team.

So, here’s to the future—more sawdust, less stress, and hopefully a bit of that “streamlined communication” magic I keep dreaming about. Because at the end of the day, building a business is a lot like building a house: it’s all about having a solid foundation, a clear plan, and maybe a little help from people who believe in what you’re creating.

And if all else fails? Well, there’s always that walk-in wardrobe in Narnia to escape to.

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