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Thomas and Marcus, owners of The Mailbox Studio, are young entrepreneurs from Caledon. They create stunning mailbox stands, signposts, gates, and wooden features suitable in town or on rural routes. The brothers were successful in receiving a Summer Company grant to accelerate their business growth. We spoke with 16-year-old Thomas to learn more.
Tell us about The Mailbox Studio
We are students who love artwork and woodworking. We are Marcus (age 14) & Thomas (age16) and together, we started THE MAILBOX STUDIO. We build and install mailboxes, address posts and other custom requests.
How did you get the idea for your business?
During March break of 2020 when my Dad, Marcus and I were on our way home from the local movie theatre, we couldn't help but notice several sad looking roadside mailboxes which looked like they were just barely hanging onto their posts. At that point, just for fun, we started counting all the neglected looking mailboxes as we passed by. Some appeared like they were held together with duct tape, while others were held onto their posts with wrapped wire and still others were just rusty or deformed with missing doors.
Marcus brought up the question if the mail delivery person would even bother stopping at some of the bad ones? We talked about if maybe some people, due to unknown circumstances, might just need a little help.
Since we learned from Dad how to operate power tools when we originally built our own roadside mailbox post, we both immediately had the same idea! We could not just offer to fix these but could create and build far more attractive looking replacement roadside mailboxes.
Do you and your brother Marcus create all your designs? What is that process like?
My brother and I designed and constructed all our models ourselves. We started with the intention of designing three different standard products in order to offer three different price ranges.
This idea was based on keeping things standardized to help with the efficiency in our production process. However, due to custom requests, we’ve now added other products as a result of customer demand.
We share the process of running the business. I typically look after all the administrative things, deal with all the customers and purchase the materials needed, and Marcus helps with woodworking, finishing and is a huge help with every local installation.
What are some short-term and long-term goals you have for The Mailbox Studio?
One of our long-term goals for our business is to expand our operating area and offer our products in other regions. As for short term goals, we plan to possibly offer new items or mailbox models on our website as well as produce more units now that summer is here and school has finished.
What is your most popular item?
When we started the business, we only had mailbox designs. We later added address posts due to popular requests. We have had custom orders for signs and driveway gates as well. However, our best-selling items currently are our “Classic” and “Country Lane” mailbox models.
How are you getting the word out about your business? Social media, word of mouth etc.?
We advertise our business through flyers, online ads, word of mouth, newspaper/ magazine ads, and public notice boards in local stores,
What is something you have learned through this process?
The Mailbox Studio has not only improved my woodworking skills but also built my confidence in dealing with customers. It has also taught me the requirements of running a business. It shows me what it's like to be my own boss and improve all skills relating to business that are best learned with experience.
How has the Summer Company Program helped you to grow your business?
Summer Company has helped me get a better understanding on some of the essentials to running a business, such as bookkeeping. They have also given me more opportunities to expand my business, taught me ways to make my business even more successful and confirmed my ideas towards successful marketing strategies.
Summer Company is a fantastic program for anyone starting a company and would like to improve their business and leadership skills.
What is some advice you would give to someone who wants to start their own business?
My advice for someone wanting to start their own business is to make sure the business is something you really enjoy doing. If you have a passion for something, it is definitely worth trying and never be afraid, because even if things don’t work out, there is no failure, there is only learning how to solve problems to make it work out.
I would also advise acting and working towards starting your business as soon as you can, don’t be hesitant to try new ideas, regardless of competition and even talk to long-time successful business owners for advice. You will be surprised by the support & wisdom that others are willing to share.
What do you see yourself doing after school?
After I finish high-school, I see myself studying business and applying my experience to help succeed in what-ever profession or direction life takes me.
The Mailbox Studio | https://mailboxstudio.ca/ | 519-288-4123
Learn more about business start-up support, funding and eligibility for Summer Company and other programs: http://caledonbusiness.ca/startup
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