Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Crissman.
Hi Lisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like most start-up businesses, our origin story isn’t nearly as glamorous as we’d like to imagine. Masonmade started with a question that my husband Steele and I asked ourselves: “How can we support our family, fulfill our personal career goals and have a better work-life balance?” Our answer to that question was to quit our day jobs and start a new business, different from what either of us was doing, and work for ourselves. In 2017 we dove head first into Masonmade. In the beginning, we made a lot of lists of who we knew, what relationships could be fruitful, how much the product cost, what similar business models existed, how we could differentiate ourselves, what opportunities the market presented, what we should invest in first, etc. What began six years ago as a chicken scratch idea in a Moleskine notebook is now an industry-leading company. We have an entire library of Moleskines with volumes of notes, good ideas, failed ideas, and plans for the future.
We researched and googled. We googled everything! Our very first pro forma (after we googled “what is a pro forma”) was a template we found online, and we still use that template today for our annual forecasting. We’ve learned a lot and improved our spreadsheets and systems, but that template is a good reminder not to overcomplicate things. It’s our guidepost. Set a goal, outline what is needed to get there, and go to work.
Where we are today can be attributed to a few key things, most notably, relationships. We have been incredibly fortunate to have a network of people, personal and professional, who support us, from clients who allowed us to work on their projects to vendors who put their faith in our ability to sell a product, to employees who were willing to join us on this journey. From the outset, we worked incredibly hard to earn the trust of each person and partner we worked with, and each member of our team shares that commitment to service, integrity, and growth.
We’ve gone from the two of us working at our dining room table to a team of eleven awesome people who bring unique experiences and talents. We’ve outgrown two physical locations and built a state-of-the-art design studio and material yard in the heart of St. Louis. We are fortunate to have worked with some of the most renowned architects, designers, and builders on projects ranging from custom residential homes to award-winning commercial projects and everything in between. We know that skilled architects and masons are at the heart of what we do, and we aim to champion their craftsmanship through our love of natural stone and brick.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business from scratch is complicated, and building Masonmade was no exception. Steele and I encountered many challenges, including finding the right suppliers, building a strong team, and navigating a competitive market. One challenge we didn’t necessarily predict was having to create everything. We didn’t purchase an existing business or inherit a company. There was no outline, handbook, marketing strategy, customer list, or inventory system. There was no history to learn from or report to analyze. Developing a business model, brand, and marketing strategy is fun and exciting. Writing a handbook, building an inventory system, and figuring out what printer you need is a bit more tedious. We probably underestimated the time and energy it would take to create each system, process, and form. We’re constantly seeking a balance between working on and in the business. However, we’re confident in our incredible team and are collectively committed to growing and evolving to meet the needs of our clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your business.
At Masonmade Design + Supply, we specialize in natural stone & brick. We supply a variety of colors, cuts, and finishes within each stone line, as well as different product types, including thin veneer, full veneer, paving, coping, treads, and custom-cut architectural stone. We source our materials from over 25 trusted quarries and fabricators across eight countries. Our stock selection includes limestone, bluestone, granite, slate, sandstone, quartzite, travertine, marble, and brick. We offer an artfully curated selection of natural stones and brick, each chosen for its aesthetic qualities and performance in commercial and residential projects. We partner with nationally acclaimed architects and incredibly talented builders, masons, and landscapers. We also have the pleasure of working directly with local designers and homeowners.
What sets us apart is our unique fusion of product expertise and service understanding. While our product lines are beautiful and unique, we want to think we offer more than just building materials – service is our thing. We are committed to providing the highest service for each client every time. Our capabilities include design consultation, estimating, shop drawings, sample kits, and custom mock-ups to ensure our clients find their perfect combination of natural stone and brick. Before we offer recommendations for a project, we get familiar with our client’s ideas, needs, budgets, and timelines. We are delivering on the big-picture vision while managing all the necessary details.
We are based in St. Louis, but our client base of architects, designers, and builders is expanding across the US. In the past year, we have supplied materials for incredible projects from the Hamptons, to the mountains in Colorado, to Napa. In addition, we’re excited to share the launch of our new trade program that aims to offer a range of benefits to our architect, design, and building partners. Stay connected with us to learn more about this program as we launch in 2023.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We’re grateful for the opportunity to share more about Masonmade with your readers. We’re a passionate group of self-proclaimed stone geeks dedicated to providing our clients with the industry’s best products and customer service. If you want to learn more about our products and services, please visit our website or contact us directly. We would happily help you find the perfect natural stone or brick solution for your next project.
Pricing:
- Please inquire for a quote.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.masonmadestone.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/masonmadestone
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/masonmadestone
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/masonmadestonedesignsupply/
Image Credits
Allison Diaz
