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Our Journey as Young Remodelers: From Dreamers to Doers

  • Writer: Sammy Blackowiak
    Sammy Blackowiak
  • Jun 18
  • 5 min read

Starting a business at 23 isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s been the most rewarding adventure we could have ever imagined. We’re husband and wife, partners in both life and work, who are deeply passionate about real estate, design, and remodeling. We didn’t come from long-established construction families or have unlimited resources. We just had big dreams, determination, and the willingness to take risks.


Here’s a look at our journey so far—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.


How It All Began: From Hobby to Hustle

Our passion for home design and remodeling started small. Like a lot of people, we always loved watching HGTV and those home renovation shows where they take an outdated house and turn it into something incredible. But it wasn’t until we bought our first home that we truly realized how much we enjoyed the process of transforming spaces ourselves. We were hooked!


What started as a hobby quickly turned into a serious hustle. After working on our own home, we saw the potential to help others do the same—whether it was through small DIY upgrades or full-blown remodels. The excitement of creating something beautiful and functional from the ground up became addictive.


At the same time, we realized we didn’t just want to stop at flipping homes or working on personal projects. We wanted to build a business. Jarod got his general contracting license, and I, Sammy, focused on honing my design skills, working with clients to bring their visions to life. Suddenly, we weren’t just remodeling for ourselves—we were building a brand!


Challenges Along the Way: The Struggles of Starting Young

Starting out so young in the remodeling business has come with its fair share of challenges. We knew from the get-go that we didn’t have decades of experience like some of the more established companies. And there’s always that doubt—"Can we do this? Will people trust us to handle their homes?"


But one of the hardest parts wasn’t the work itself—it was finding our niche and our audience. The reality is, many of our peers (people our age) aren’t ready to take on the luxury remodels or investment projects we were so excited about. They’re just getting into their first homes, still figuring out budgets, and maybe not ready for big-ticket projects yet. But we knew that if we stayed patient and showed our value, the right clients would come.


Another big challenge was learning to juggle everything. Being entrepreneurs means you wear a lot of hats. From managing client expectations and coordinating with contractors to navigating the ups and downs of the real estate market, there’s always something to figure out. And let’s not forget the personal side of it—working together as a couple comes with its own set of challenges!


How We Overcame These Hurdles: Finding Our Strengths

The biggest thing that has helped us overcome these challenges is knowing what makes us different and using that to our advantage. We are young, and that’s a good thing! It means we’re in tune with modern trends and designs and most importantly - we need to put in the work and effort to make a name for ourselves. We are present in every project and care so much about each client who trusts us with their home - it isn't just another lead to us. We understand what first-time homeowners are looking for because we’re right there with them. And we’re also able to connect with the older generation who want to invest in quality, because we offer fresh perspectives. We show up, we communicate, and we crave feedback to learn and serve our clients better.


Another huge key to our success has been playing to our individual strengths. Jarod excels at the construction and real estate side of things, whether it’s buying and selling properties or navigating the financial side of a project. Meanwhile, I thrive in the design space, working with clients on the creative aspects of turning their ideas into reality. We’ve found a balance between the two of us, and it’s that partnership that makes us stronger.


And of course, there’s been no shortage of learning experiences along the way. We’ve made mistakes—like underestimating timelines or budgets—but those lessons have helped us grow, refine our process, and get better with every project.


The Highlights: Why We Keep Pushing Forward

Despite the challenges, there have been so many moments that remind us why we love what we do. One of the biggest highlights is seeing the transformation of a space from start to finish. Walking into a client’s home after the project is complete and seeing their reaction is one of the most fulfilling parts of the job. It’s the reason we keep pushing forward.


Another highlight has been the connections we’ve made. We’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing clients who trust us with their homes and allow us to bring their dreams to life. And as young entrepreneurs, we’ve also been able to connect with other like-minded people who are navigating their own journeys in business and life.


What’s Next for Us: Growing, Evolving, and Building

So, where are we headed from here? Well, we’re not slowing down anytime soon. We want to continue growing our business, finding our niche, and building a reputation in real estate, design, and construction. We’re also excited to keep learning and evolving with the industry, staying on top of new trends and innovations that will keep our work fresh and exciting.


And of course, we’re always thinking about the future—both for our business and personally. We plan to have a family someday, and we want to create a business that’s sustainable and balanced, so we can continue doing what we love while building the life we envision for ourselves.


Final Thoughts: If We Can Do It, So Can You

If there’s one thing we’ve learned on this journey, it’s that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about putting in the work, being adaptable, and staying true to your vision. If you’re thinking about starting your own business or diving into a big project—whether it’s in real estate, design, or something else—our advice is to go for it. Take risks, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to learn along the way.


We’ve come a long way since those early days, and we know there’s still so much more to achieve. But if we can build a business and a life that we love at 25, so can you!


Ready to start your own home transformation? We’d love to help! Reach out today for a consultation and let’s turn your dream space into a reality.

 
 
 

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Twin Cities, MN

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