Furniture Design | HTH 025

07/09/19 • 46 min

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

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 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

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

Previous Episode

Get Better Sleep | HTH 024

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 1⁄3 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

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