In early 2003, we came up with a concept to build a home for resale.  Not so unusual, especially in the Brainerd Lakes real estate market.  It seems as though everyone was building spec homes.  Our concept was to be different. Our home would be on a lake.  Our home would stop traffic.  Our home would drop jaws.  We would focus on the details.  We would focus on craftsmanship. We would just simply build a house that would out class the competition.  With Matt and Jeff’s background in rustic furniture manufacturing and furniture design and their family history of building homes (Matt and Jeff are 4th generation builders), we knew the home would be well built, we knew the home would be rustic, yet be tastefully done, the design would flow, and of course it would have nice fixtures, flooring, and cabinets!!  The concept was, and still is, simple, build a home that simply “knocks their socks off”!!

And so we needed a partner that would serve as a project manager.  We are certain Jon’s wife Krista cringed when she saw us coming, as we always seem to have a business idea.   Anyway, we would accept no other business partner other than Jon.  If Jon wouldn’t do it, there would be no project.   Working for the Target Corporation in management, Jon knew about working with and managing people, he knew about working with vendors (subcontractors in the construction world), he knew the importance of a deadline, and most importantly, he knew about the importance of customer service and quality.  We couldn’t do it without Jon.  So the “pitch” was made, resulting in Jon’s 30 year old (throw your salary out the window) mid life crisis. He left his corporate job (which always had him somewhere new), deciding the Brainerd Lakes Area was the place to raise a family.  He strapped on the tool belt and headed to the jobsite!!

In the spring of 2003 we began our project.  Matt and Jeff still at Lonesome Cottage, and Jon at the job.  The project went very well and we were surprised how much fun building a home was/is.  We would all meet after work and look at the progress and discuss ideas.   By January, our first home was ready to go on the market.  To our surprise, it sold immediately to the first person who looked at it!!