Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Aguilar and Kris Slocum.
High Proof Designs began out of necessity. Aaron had just gotten a new BBQ smoker and came up with the idea to burn a logo into the wooden table attached to it. Aaron searched Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for companies that did woodburning and was unable to find anything. He took to the internet and researched woodburning and Aaron did the tables, posted them online and began getting orders for other jobs; thus was born Aaron’s Custom Pyrography.
He did several jobs, learning as he went. Each job getting progressively more complex and difficult, eventually, his garage became a woodworking shop/pyrography studio. Aaron began to recognize the market for a full custom decor and gift business.
From there, Aaron and Kris began to discuss plans to re-brand and scale the business to a larger customer base. They recognized the proper way to scale was through technology and automation. Kris’ background in computers, graphics and fabrication as well as complimented Aaron’s skillsets. They added an industrial laser that expanded the materials they could customize from just wood to include glass, metal, acrylics and more.
From there, they have been hard at work establishing themselves and the High Proof Designs brand in the marketplace as the go-to company for any custom gift arena.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The growth has been organic and at times overwhelming thanks to the support of our families and friends. Our biggest challenge has definitely been competing with the online players in the customization game. As a small and up and coming business it is difficult to compete with the resources and capital of a large scale, worldwide operation. We’ve continued to be patient and lean on our philosophy of great customer service and quality products to differentiate us. We connect with our customers on a personal level and understand the importance of the events and milestones in their lives in a way that a large scale internet company could not.
Please tell us about your work. What should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in custom home decor and custom gifts of all types with and emphasis on the personalization that changes a gift into a cherished heirloom. We have the ability to fabricate in wood and engrave on glass, metal, acrylic, and more.
What sets us apart from others is our philosophy that all personalization is a unique reflection of the gift giver as well as the receiver. We go out of our way to capture our customer’s ideas, conceptualize them, and create something that exceeds their expectations.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is defined not only in profits but your reputation and standing in the community for doing quality business. At a certain point, with enough work, trust and recognition regarding your brand become more important than what could be defined on a profit and loss sheet.
There are companies that become an institution in their area and their success becomes generational and creates an ecosystem allowing others to profit as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.HighProofDesigns.com
- Phone: 469-587-9099
- Email: HighProofDesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highproofdesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highproofdesigns/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HighProofDesign
Image Credit:
Aaron Aguilar, Tricia Slocum
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