We recently connected with Brandon Mills and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brandon , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
I am a firm believer that having a positive and optimistic attitude has been a key ingredient to my success. We are all graced with the same 24 hours each day; I realize being hopeful and ready for the next adventure is important. We all face trials and disappointments, obviously myself included, but to me, it’s all about the mindset you have while facing those hurdles. As a child, I can remember my parents constantly reminding my siblings and me of the importance of hard work, perseverance and believing in ourselves. I can truly say these principles stuck with me.
When I first embarked on my woodworking journey, I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but the encouragement from my family and friends helped to motivate me and keep me optimistic, even when times were challenging. To my fellow entrepreneurs, do not discount the importance of having people who believe and support your dreams in your corner. A strong support system will keep you grounded, will remind you that failure is not an option and will not let you give up on your dreams. We are only a few months into 2024, and I have surpassed my sales from 2023. I credit this to hard work, determination, and a little voice that reminds me daily to keep pushing forward because anything is possible.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
To be completely honest, I think I am a pretty normal guy. I’m a husband, father, and an avid sports fan who has a passion for woodworking. Since childhood, I had a knack for building things. I was obsessed with LEGOS; I would spend hours playing with them. It was definitely my favorite pastime. I was able to tap into my creative side and building cool things brought me joy. As I got older, my passion grew into woodworking. I started out making shelves and cutting boards; those were my signature items. I got married in 2023, and during my wedding planning, my wife saw decor that involved marquee letters and she had to have them. At that point, I had never made marquee letters, but I couldn’t let my future wife down. Happy wife, happy life, right? Embarking on that project was a game-changer and marquee letters are now my best-selling item. It also allowed me to start thinking outside of the box to help bring my clients’ visions to reality. I love custom orders because if someone has a vision for it, I can build it. I have recently found a niche with party and wedding planners, providing exclusive rentals for their events. From champagne walls to giant shoe boxes for sneaker parties, custom pieces truly leave a lasting impression for guests and it’s very rewarding to provide that for my clients.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My faith and belief in God have undoubtedly been a cornerstone in my life as well as the journey to start my business. Before getting married in 2023, I was a single father and as any parent knows, you face all sorts of challenges. Navigating parenthood, along with a full-time job, often made me doubt if I would be able to truly explore my passion for woodworking, even though that was my true goal and desire. My faith in God, coupled with my faith in my ability, allowed me to keep pushing. I was determined to push out the doubt and fear and realized it was up to me to pursue my dreams even when it wasn’t easy. Having faith that if I continued perfecting my craft, my time would come kept me motivated, hopeful and committed.
Perseverance is also a main quality I attribute to being successful in my journey. Although it sounds cliché, the phrase, “Never Give Up” is more powerful than people realize. It’s so easy to be overcome with doubt, but you must remember your Why. Why you got started…Why it’s your passion, Why your product or service matters. You must keep all these things in the forefront of your mind during challenging times. Whether you say you can or can’t do something, you’re right. If you say you can, you will, and if you say you can’t, you have already lost the battle and you won’t. You must push yourself to have a can-do attitude because I truly believe it takes you far.
Lastly, being a person of integrity has always been important to me. Outside of my woodworking business, I have been in sales for almost a decade and learned very early on that being honest and trustworthy was more important than any individual sale. As Mills Custom Woodworking continues to grow, I want all of my clients to fully trust in the quality of my work and know that they are doing business with someone who has morals and values. I believe this is key to fostering strong business relationships as well as repeat customers.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I recommend the book, “Who Moved My Cheese,” to any entrepreneur that is starting their journey, or to anyone who is feeling stuck in general. One major takeaway was to never get too complacent- you can’t be afraid to take risks. It’s easy to get caught up on the what if’s, because many are fearful of the unknown. Fear can have two effects; it can paralyze you and keep you stuck, or it can spur you into action. You can’t realize your true potential by staying stuck! Venturing out of your comfort zone can be scary and intimidating, but envisioning what it will feel like to reach your goals and succeed is what’s needed to keep you going. When you let go of fear and embrace the uncertainty of new beginnings, your life starts to change, which is rewarding and exhilarating at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mcwrva.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/mcwrva
- Facebook: facebook.com/mcwrva
