Exploring Life & Business with Jake Birkmaier of Rising Stairways

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Birkmaier.

Hi Jake, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started college with the goal of building a career in finance or consulting. I was drawn to the fast pace, the high stakes, and the opportunity to lead teams through complex challenges. But over time, I realized I was most fulfilled when I was working directly with people—especially in hands-on, grounded environments where I could see the impact of my work every day. That shift in perspective led me to small business, and eventually, by chance, to the stair-building industry through my now mentor and partner, Paul Graham.

What began as a summer job turned into a passion. I saw how much opportunity there was to improve the customer experience, final product, and internal operations in this space. The skills I developed in my education—like process optimization, applied computing, and strategic planning—gave me a unique lens to identify those opportunities and act on them. At Rising Stairways, we use that mindset everyday to streamline our quoting process, improve communication, and build a more thoughtful, reliable experience for our clients.

But what really makes this business special—and my favorite part of it—is the team. We’ve built a group of people who not only care deeply about their craft, but also about helping each other grow. Whether it’s sharing knowledge, stepping up when someone needs support, or finding new ways to improve how we work, there’s a real sense of pride and camaraderie in everything we do. That culture of trust and shared purpose is what drives Rising Stairways forward—and it’s what makes it feel less like a job and more like something we’re building together.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While things have generally gone well with Rising Stairways, every entrepreneurial venture carries tough times. Starting Rising Stairways meant walking away from a more predictable path in the corporate world and stepping into something that demanded substantial sacrifice, persistent work, and a great deal of risk. There were moments—especially early on—when I questioned whether I’d made the right decision. The financial pressure, the long hours, and the weight of responsibility didn’t just affect me; they impacted my family too. It’s one thing to take on risk yourself, but it’s another to know that your choices ripple out to the people who support you.

As a leader, I do my best to show up every day with confidence and clarity, not to imply I’m always perfect in that regard. I try not to let the team see when I’m pulling a little too much weight—but the truth is, they lift me up more than they know. Their work ethic, their attitude, and just the way we show up for each other, they remind me why this business matters. Even on the hardest days, we buckle up and work together to ensure success.

The reality is, building a business from the ground up comes at an extreme cost. There have been countless late nights, missed personal events, and moments of real frustration—times when the pressure felt overwhelming and the sacrifices weighed heavily on me and those closest to me. It’s not always glamorous, and it’s certainly not easy. But I’ve always tried to lead with strength and composure. A mentor of mine once told me, “Take asymmetric bets when you can—when you can’t, outwork the odds.” That mindset has carried me through the hardest days, and it continues to shape how we grow Rising Stairways.

As you know, we’re big fans of Rising Stairways. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Rising Stairways is a custom stair-building company focused on blending craftsmanship with modern tools to deliver a better experience for builders, homeowners, and designers. We specialize in designing and fabricating high-quality stair systems that are not only structurally sound but also visually striking. What sets us apart is our ability to bring precision and clarity to a process that’s often filled with guesswork and delays. From the first quote to the final installation, we aim to make the experience smoother, faster, and more transparent for everyone involved.

We’re known for our ability to turn complex stair designs into reality with speed and accuracy. Our quoting process is streamlined and tech-enabled, allowing us to provide detailed, reliable estimates quickly—something that’s rare in this industry. But beyond the tools and systems, what truly defines our brand is the pride we take in our work and the relationships we build with our clients. We don’t just build stairs—we build trust, and we stand behind everything we create.

What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built. Rising Stairways isn’t just a business—it’s a team of people who care deeply about their craft and about each other. That shared commitment shows in every project we take on. We want readers to know that when they work with us, they’re not just getting a product—they’re getting a partner who’s invested in doing things the right way, every time.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We’re always looking to grow our team with people who are eager to learn, work hard, and take pride in what they build. At Rising Stairways, we believe that great craftsmanship starts with great people—and we’re proud to have a culture where everyone supports each other and pushes to get better every day. Whether you have experience in the trades or are just getting started, if you’re motivated and ready to be part of something meaningful, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://risingstairways.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risingstairways/