Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Bagtas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After 20 years of service and retiring from the US Navy. I applied and wanting to work for the government, while waiting for a job opportunity, I started building a small display cabinet in my garage using only hand tools I had at that time. I was an electrician in the Navy but wood working was a hobby and always had this enthusiasm to work with my hands and a passion for woodworking. My neighbor saw the display cabinet I built and asked me to build her one exactly like mine- and that was the start! While I was building small projects for friends and relatives, I started collecting machines then I just sort of morphed into working full-time in the garage. One project is all it took, what started off as a hobby, turned into a passion and a full-time second career. MB Woodworks was opened as a business in 2003.
Since I did not work for anyone in the woodworking industry and did not have experience, I relied on different woodworking magazines, literatures, books, and watched many videos to learn the trade. I joined the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association and Woodworkers Guild in North county to gain more woodworking knowledge and skills and but most importantly to surround myself with people in the industry and expand my network. I attended various woodworking shows and conventions in different venues around the country. I also attended Palomar Woodworking College, and that’s where I gained self-confidence, learned technical know-how and proper work techniques in woodworking. That was also the time where I focused on cabinetmaking rather than just merely woodworking.
That would be the start of my journey of making fully customized fine-crafted cabinets. As a business owner for over a decade, I developed a customer base through relationships with architect, home-builders, designers and other woodworkers. Through these partnerships and having developed a positive rapport with clients through the years, most work is generated by referral. I get very busy producing cabinets and other residential furniture all throughout San Diego.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My biggest challenge was not having enough experience in manufacturing cabinets in the most efficient way that could benefit my customers and at the same time make a small profit while enjoying the work; my inexperience hindered the chance of creating and accepting bigger money-making projects. I had a basic DIY knowledge and nothings else, my self-confidence was nil and impeded my ability to grow faster. I had to learn everything on my own, and sometimes the hard way.
MB Woodworks – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
MB Woodworks design, build and install custom design cabinetry and fine crafted wood furniture for individual clients. Projects vary, but the common thread between them is that my shop exhausts all measures to produce the finest custom work that seamlessly coordinates customer style with living functionality. Whether I am asked to create products using contemporary or traditional design styles, my ultimate focus is of quality and perfection. I have experienced great success with the pyramid scheme in customer relationships- you do a great job for one customer and he/she tells two other customers, then you do another great job! I still have my address book full of the same people I’ve been dealing with the past 10 years. At this point of my career it’s still really is amazing that they always come back, and still impresses me and I am proud of it.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is being able to live a happy life with no regrets.
In business, success to me is having all happy and satisfied customers every single time and they come back for more.
Contact Info:
- Address: Scripps Ranch, San Diego 92131
- Website: www.mbwoodworks.net
- Phone: (858)583-0130
- Email: mbwoodworks@gmail.com
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