Gaurav Builds a House Episode 1: The Journey Begins
Throughout this series, we'll cover topics ranging from permits, design and planning, construction delays, quality control, and intricate design details, and much more. So, stay tuned! But first, let's kick things off by taking a closer look at "The Move to LA" and the origins of Bend Goods in 2010.
The Move to LA and the Start of Bend Goods in 2010
Let's delve into how it all began. I grew up in Michigan and spent seven years of my professional life as a sculptor in the auto industry. It was a fantastic learning experience, but I felt a strong pull to explore the world of furniture design. I had a vision of creating colorful indoor and outdoor wire chairs and was eager to turn this idea into a business. In 2010, I made the bold move to Los Angeles, settling near the beach in Venice and Marina del Rey.
The Loft
Fortune smiled upon me as I stumbled upon a truly unique loft with concrete floors that were often enveloped in the rolling coastal fog. It was in the middle/end of the housing financial crash, and the timing was right for me to jump into the loft. The building had 50 units, an industrial feel, and only one other person was living in the building during the first few months I was there. It was in this loft that the Bend Goods team was born, and the startup environment was nothing short of exhilarating. I vividly recall a time when my loft was brimming with boxes, and I welcomed a few clients who came to shop our products. At that moment, I couldn't help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. We did everything from the loft: talked to customers, came up with marketing strategies, conducted photoshoots, brainstormed, and even hosted small events.
However, as time passed, we reached a point where it became evident that we needed to find a more suitable space for the growing Bend team to operate efficiently. I wanted a space that had a more separated/dedicated work area from the living space.
Takeaway
I think the key takeaway from this experience is that if you are passionate about the thing you are starting, it doesn't really matter where you do it from in the beginning. But eventually, there will come a time to move to the next stage. For me, it took me 4 years to take the next step.
Stay Tuned for Future Episodes…
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"100-Year-Old House Made New"
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"Why Buy When You Can Make Sinks"
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"Forming Shapes with Skylight Additions"
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"Precise and Precision Kitchen Designs"
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And Much More
