Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Fisch.
Hi Kyle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born out of state and moved to San Diego around 2000; we lived just below North County. Growing up, I was active in many extracurricular activities outside of school, and I always enjoyed activities that involved building and creative expression. When I graduated high school in 2010, I had an interest in computers, and the tech industry was rapidly growing. I chose to attend an out-of-state university to pursue a degree in computer engineering. While I was initially interested in the hardware aspect of computer engineering, I had difficulty with some of the advanced mathematics and programming languages and chose to switch to an economics major. Being away from home was difficult for me, and it had a negative impact on my focus towards my education. I ultimately took a leave of absence to figure out a career path, and while searching for employment opportunities, I got my start in the building trades. Having little relevant work experience, finding a steady full-time job was difficult but my hard work eventually paid off when a roommate brought me in to work with the company he was employed at. I quickly advanced in responsibilities, taking every chance to learn and put my best foot forward. After a few years I had advanced to a position where I felt comfortable being able to find better employment, and I chose to move back to San Diego.
Since relocating back to San Diego, I have had the opportunity to work with people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. I initially worked in the field for a real estate development and investment company for a couple years and ended up working for an award-winning local builder/contractor for 5 years before going out on my own. Throughout this time, I worked as much as possible, took every opportunity to learn and master my craft, and worked as many side jobs as I could trying to establish myself. I always had the idea that someday I wanted to work for myself, however there were many ups and downs getting to that point, and I aimed to be self-employed around turning 30. In early 2022 I founded my company Hickory Heart, Inc and have been working on building my company since then. While I am a carpenter by trade, I hope to expand my business into a full-scale building and remodeling company.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t call it smooth, but it has been fairly consistent throughout my career. Early on, after I left school, it was difficult to find work, and some of the jobs were just too much stress for so little compensation. Going through a number of these entry-level jobs, I eventually had the opportunity to advance professionally, working in the trades, but with that progression, there was still exhaustion physically and mentally every day. It seemed like no matter how hard I tried, there was always an obstacle or a setback to negate my forward progress. I felt a lot of my talent was not properly utilized while I was previously employed, and wanted to have more control throughout the projects I contributed towards.
As I honed my skills working full time, I was working side jobs as well, mostly smaller projects and handyman-type work. I took about anything that came my way, and I tried to view every challenge as a learning experience. As I worked more on my own and gained more responsibility at my place of employment, I started the process of working independently. It seemed many of my ideas or designs fell on a deaf ear, and the only way I saw this changing was if I became self-employed. Overall, I enjoy it, although many days it can be quite tiring dealing with all the aspects of the business while also performing the day-to-day operations.
The pandemic put a strain on us and introduced new challenges to the home improvement industry, as customer safety and satisfaction have always been my top priorities. During these last couple years with inflation and economic swings, it has been hard to maintain competitive pricing for the services I offer while delivering the highest quality results. Throughout all this I have had the opportunity to work with some great clients, who appreciate my creative and professional approach to the work and services I provide them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Hickory Heart specializes in custom carpentry, remodeling, and unique creations catered towards your vision and home aesthetic. With over 10 years of custom remodeling and building, we pride ourselves in bringing your home improvement projects to reality. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and our goal is to provide you with a superior contracting and remodeling experience. We serve most areas of San Diego County and have worked on homes as old as 1907 up to new construction.
Our projects have involved collaborations with real estate investors, contractors and builders, other tradesman, and directly with homeowners. While every project was unique and required different skill sets to complete, customer and client satisfaction was always the outcome we achieved. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, no matter how small, are what separates us from others.
We specialize in custom carpentry, custom woodworking, remodeling, high-end interior finishes, general construction, and home improvement projects. Our creative problem-solving throughout the building and exceptional planning is essential to achieve the desired finished appearance. With our experience, we deliver the highest quality of work in a timely manner with a personalized attention to the details.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
My most important lessons learned were to always focus on the positive aspects of a situation and the importance of not taking shortcuts to achieve results. Early in my career, the stress and chaotic nature of the industry made it easy to cultivate a negative mindset rather than seeing each opportunity as a learning experience. The day-to-day functions and projects I was asked to perform were always challenging, both mentally and physically. In a deadline and results-first industry, it can be difficult to speak up and have your opinion heard, especially when I was younger and working with older colleagues. As I grew personally and professionally, I did my best to overcome these obstacles by always thinking about my end goals, both short and long-term. I approached each new challenge with the mindset that if I asked as many questions along the way, I could maximize my knowledge of each project and formulate how I would efficiently work around these issues or concerns when I was in a position to be the decision maker. Through my professional career, I have learned the importance of prompt communication in regards to scheduling, honesty, and the value of doing the job right the first time. I enjoy the challenges presented daily with my line of work and the creative problem-solving required to bring clients’ visions to reality. My passion shows in the quality of services I deliver; I pay attention to all the small details in my work and go the extra mile for all of my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hickoryheart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hickoryheartsd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hickory-Heart-Inc/100086615542465/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-fisch-677965267
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hickory-heart-san-diego-2
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/hickory-heart-inc-la-mesa-ca/
Image Credits
Hickory Heart Inc.
Kyle Fisch
J Walsh Construction
CT Homes
