In this episode of the Build Guild Podcast, Mark Bates, a local carpenter who has spent the last thirteen years operating his own business. Mark’s clientele comes from a mix of referrals from Lowe’s™ and word-of-mouth around the community. Mark began working in the contracting industry working as an installer for Lowe’s™, and then became an installer himself. New to social media, Mark is learning how to advertise his business by showcasing his projects for both his business and his own home. Similar to Coty’s family, Mark’s family is involved in the foster care system. Recognizing the juggernaut of emotions surrounding a foster child’s first day in his or her new home, Mark constructed a castle at the front of his house to make that difficult first day a little easier. The second floor of his home contains a hidden passage, spiral staircase and hidden room to add a whimsical touch to his children’s childhood. Mark’s perspective is completely unique from the other makers of the Build Guild podcast. Most notably, Mark’s tools differ from the fine woodworking tools the other Build Guild makers utilize in their daily business. As a general contractor, Mark’s tool investments occur often and are focused on transportation and durability, whereas Ben, Brian, and Coty all see their tools as lasting investments that can (hopefully) last for years before being passed on to novice makers. Mark is an incredible example of how making isn’t limited to fine woodworking but is an all-encompassing field with room for anyone with an idea or just a little bit of whimsy. His 9-5 work is impeccable, but after hours he’s created an environment where his children have a place to make their daydreams a reality. Episode 4 brings us up to speed with Coty’s journey in the Small Business Revolution™, Brian’s current (secret) projects he’s spending the summer on, and Ben’s hair-brained YouTube ideas for Mark’s house. Mark and Coty are both in need of employees for their businesses, and a resume with any relevant experience can be emailed to Markbatescontracting@gmail.com and Arganicwoodwork@gmail.com, respectively. Most Underrated Piece of Equipment in the Shop: Mark: Oscillating Tool from Dewalt https://amzn.to/2YZzWIq Ben: ⅜ Milwaukee Ratchet https://amzn.to/2KccSBL Coty: TiteBond Glue Brush https://amzn.to/2WjE3Cg (Ben’s Suggestion) : https://amzn.to/2EHvJkO Brian: Black and Decker Jig Saw Value Selection: https://amzn.to/2Z3lDTd Luxury Selection: https://amzn.to/2Md1S9R Skil Jig Saw: Value Selection: https://amzn.to/2MehZUM Luxury Selection: https://amzn.to/2HNBwaB Wen Jigsaw: https://amzn.to/2HJxIa4 Other Mentions: Wen Air Filtration Systems: Luxury Selection: https://amzn.to/2Mi0GlU Value Selection: https://amzn.to/2Wa6VwB Saw Blade Ben’s using in his Sawstop: https://amzn.to/2HK8XKZ Send us all your beef jerky: https://amzn.to/2MhGC2P https://amzn.to/2MiTNR9 What’s Coming Up Next: Mark’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbatescontracting/ For Episode 5, we will have Jo Ellis from Make.Do. in Searcy. Check out her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/makedocreate/, and her website at http://makedocreate.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebuildguildpodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebuildguildpodcast/support