How to Home Podcast Aaron Massey

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!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
 
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
 
FOLLOW US on Social Media:
Website | https://howtohome.com/
Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp
Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij
Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc
Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH
SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:
Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp
Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm
Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c
Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Philip Shen about tips for creating a great sleep environment in your home.
 
LET’S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
 
WHY SLEEP IS IMPORTANT:
We spend ⅓ of our lives sleeping, so it’s critical for health. The body restores and repairs itself during sleep. Good sleep also supports your memory.  
HOW TO CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT:
Make sure your room is cool and quiet. Get the proper mattress for your alignment. Block out noise and light. No tv or electronics in the bedroom. The bedroom should be for sleep. Comfortable and soothing colors. Hot showers, massage and warm beverages/hot water (non-caffeinated) are great before bed. Tracy suggested blue light cancelling glasses.   
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MATTRESS/PILLOW:
For youngsters, the mattress requirements aren’t as important- but it’s important they’re cool. Philip recommends mattress protectors for health. 80 percent of the sleeping population are side sleepers, and side sleeping creates the most pressure points. It’s important for side sleepers to get the correct firmness. Philip recommends mattresses with zoning technology. Mattresses should last 8 years. If you have broad shoulders you need a bigger pillow. Body pillows are great for support.  Philip likes the Snuz mattress, specifically the hybrid bed.  
SOCIAL QUESTIONS:
Q: If you have a cooling mattress and put a mattress protector over it, are you negating the benefits?
 
A: Yes, but they make cooling mattress protectors as well. Also, with the zipper top mattress protector that’s available, you can actually unzip and clean without buying a mattress protector. 
 
 
FIND PHILIP:
Website | www.sleepchoices.com
The Gram | @sleepchoices
 
FOLLOW US on Social Media:
Website | https://howtohome.com/
Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp
Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij
Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc
Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH
SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:
Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp
Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm
Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c
Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

 
This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Brad Rodriguez of Fix This, Build That about ways to establish your DIY confidence and potentially transition it into a business.
 
LET’S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
 
NOTABLE MOMENTS :
- Brad was in corporate America for 17 years before he went this route.
- He sets defined goals and thinks ahead for what he wants to accomplish daily in the shop to make his time more efficient.
- His philosophy for Fix This, Build That is: Educate, Inspire, Entertain.
- In terms of getting your feet wet with DIY, Brad suggests: “Start with something you’re going to have success with”.
- A skill Brad wants to add to his arsenal is metal working.
- His favorite wood to work with is walnut.
- This is Brad’s favorite project to date (a side-board cabinet): https://fixthisbuildthat.com/diy-sideboard-cabinet-woodworking-plans-2/
- Tool Must-Haves for the beginner: 3 piece cordless 18 volt set (drill, driver, circular saw), orbital sander, tape measure, pencil, carpenter square.
- Brad recommends letting other people know you’re into woodworking, because people will cycle through tools and pass them on or give you a heads up about estate sales etc.
- Some of Brad’s favorite resources are Pinterest and Google image searches. He’s also inspired by hotels.
 
SOCIAL QUESTIONS:
Q: As a maker is it hard to stay on top of personal work for your home and family?
A:  It absolutely is. Brad also talked about the guilt of balancing projects between children.
 
Q: What is your “woulda shoulda been” career?
A: Brad’s always thought he would be a good litigators.
 
Q: Now that you do your hobby as a business, what do you do for fun?
A: Brad enjoys the business side of the making (the analytics etc.), but is working hard to step away from the business and focus on hobbies again. Right now the down time is dedicated to the kids and occasional Netflix.
 
FIND BRAD:
Website | https://www.fixthisbuildthat.com
The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/fixthisbuildthat
Podcast | https://madeforprofit.com/episodes
YouTube | http://youtube.com/c/fixthisbuildthat
 
FOLLOW US on Social Media:
Website | https://howtohome.com/
Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp
Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij
Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc
Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH
 
SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:
Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp
Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm
Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c
Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

This week Aaron and Tracy chat with artist Peter Staley about blending creativity and construction.
 
LET’S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
 
QUICK FACTS ABOUT PETER’S WORK:
- Peter refers to his structures as shrines to nature.
- His first woodworking was building stretchers for paintings and then he moved on to set design.
- Once he built his own store (his wife’s kids shop), a lot of people had him start building their stores. He likes to bring nature inside.
- Recently he’s been building a lot of cabins, which was a natural progression after building a work cabin for his wife’s second store. His latest cabin is a liveable space, 200 sq ft with a sleeping loft and outdoor shower.
- His nature inspiration stems from his time in the Adirondacks as a child. https://visitadirondacks.com
- Peter can look at a space and visualize what he wants to do with it.
- Peter sees his builds as art and it’s a very spiritual process.
- His favorite materials are: cedar and shou sugi ban.
- He loves buying from Angel City Lumber- https://www.angelcitylumber.com
- Peter feels this medium is the one that connects with people the most, whereas his art doesn’t necessarily connect with everyone.
- Peter’s tip for creating a more functional small space is: laying stuff out with blue tape and seeing how it would feel to move around in the space.
- “I would like someone to enter a space I made and have a spiritual experience.”
- Peter’s suggestion for the beginner: “Get some tools and start playing around. Make a box!”
- Peter believes everything needs to go as green as possible. He’d like to see a return to natural and comfortable materials.
 
SOCIAL QUESTIONS:
Q: Do you feel you have a signature style?
A: Not on purpose, but yes. Peter doesn’t try to make things in his style, it’s just his natural progression.
 
Q:  How long is the planning process?
A: A couple of weeks.
 
Q: Where does your inspiration come from with your art?
A: It just comes to Peter and he needs to get it out.
 
Q: Is it hard to see a structure decorated in a way that doesn’t fit your intention for the space?
A: At first it is, but then you get used to it.
 
FIND PETER:
Website (Build) | https://www.mindtreearts.com
Website (Art) | http://www.peterstaley.com
The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/mindtreearts & https://www.instagram.com/p_staley
 
FOLLOW US on Social Media:
Website | https://howtohome.com/
Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp
Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij
Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc
Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH
SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:
Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp
Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm
Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c
Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Kumiko Love about tips for jump starting your family budget and how to stick with it.
 
LET’S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
 
KUMIKO’S METHOD:
- Kumiko does the budget by paycheck method, and also implements a calendar.
- She doesn’t use a predetermined dollar amount or percentage.
 
JUMP START YOUR BUDGET:
- Learn the emotions and triggers behind your spending.
- When you’re a freelancer, knowing everything about your past spending is important.
- Meal plan! Food is a budget killer.
- Track your spending and figure out where your money is being sucked.
- Call the companies behind your monthly bills and see if you can get your costs down.
- Create an allowance for spontaneous purchases.
- Homeowners should have an emergency fund and a maintenance fund.
- Find a financial adviser you can trust, if you don’t feel comfortable making the decisions on your own.
- Kumiko thinks you’re more motivated to save if you have savings accounts labeled as your specific goal.
- “If I spend the money right now, what am I giving up in the future?”
- For student loans- sit down and figure out exactly what you have.
- There are financial counselors out there for free! Check out non-profit organizations and banks.
 
TOP 5 TIPS:
- Discover your why. Why do you want to start budgeting?
- Track your spending. It’s the number one action step.
- Look at your recurring bills and try to get them down.
- Sit down and look at your debt. Write it all out.
- Figure out what kind of learner you are? That’s how you have to organize your finances to stay motivated.
 
COMMON PITFALLS:
- They can’t change their mindset surrounding what they have/need.
- They feel stuck.
- Food! They need to meal plan.
- Not knowing where to start with debt.
 
CONTACT KUMIKO:
Website | https://thebudgetmom.com
The Gram | @thebudgetmom
Youtube | @thebudgetmom
 
FOLLOW US on Social Media:
Website | https://howtohome.com/
Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp
Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij
Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc
Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH
SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:
Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp
Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm
Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c
Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Zac Ruiz of Den For Our Cubs. They discuss how he and his wife made the decision to leave their life in Southern California to live in a tent in New Mexico- and Zac’s philosophy on living a life you love.
 
LET’S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
QUICK FACTS ABOUT ZAC’S HOME:
- They currently live in New Mexico.
- They transitioned from apartment, to camper and then to the tent.
- The canvas home is 300 sq ft and 12 ft tall.
- They built a platform and then a frame, then essentially just slid the tent on.
- They have polycarbonate sheets on the front of the tent to let in sunlight.
- They heat the tent with a propane heater. This is the one he mentioned: https://www.mrheater.com/big-buddy-portable-heater.html
- They have a water well and use their Berkey to filter it. https://www.berkeyfilters.com
- The house cost $5,000 to build.
- They have a composting toilet. This is the one thing Zac mentioned not enjoying in terms of upkeep.
- They’re not off the grid, they go into “town” for normal activities.
 
“If you don’t like your life- try something. If you still don’t like it- try something else!”
 
The Etsy Shop:
- Zac sells custom lights for homes and businesses.
- He builds in shipping container.
- www.etsy.com/shop/MoonStoneFox
 
SOCIAL QUESTIONS:
Q: Did you ever have a moment where it was so overwhelming and you felt like you made the wrong choice?
A: There are always doubts/fears but he was so tired of California and ready for a change that this life is refreshing.
 
Q: Do you plan on homeschooling?
A: Yes. Zac and his siblings were homeschooled and they plan on doing the same.
 
Q: Are bugs a problem?
A: Surprisingly, NO!
 
Q: Do you grow your own vegetables?
A: Yes, but not a full farm lifestyle. They try to buy local as much as possible.
 
FIND ZAC:
Website | https://denforourcubs.wordpress.com
The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/DENFOROURCUBS/
Etsy | https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonStoneFox
 
FOLLOW US on social media:
Website | https://howtohome.com/
Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp
Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij
Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc
Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH
SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:
Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp
Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm
Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c
Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM