Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Foley.
Hi Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved art. I grew up very involved in art, drawing painting etc. all my life. Fast forward to college I majored in art and design. Other than that, I really didn’t know for sure what I wanted to do with my life. I loved my art and design classes so I kind of new some kind of artistic career would be in my future! In the summer of 2001 as a broke college kid, I needed a summer job. My dad had a established cabinet shop. Dad offered me a job to help out in the shop. I didn’t see the art in cabinetry right away, but it didn’t take long! I became addicted to building furniture for friends on the weekends. I really enjoyed seeing furniture take shape from a concept scribble on a napkin to a beautiful and functional work of art!
So that was the beginning. I worked alongside my dad and the other craftsmen until 2008. The 2008 recession took hold, and it absolutely strangled the cabinet shop. Those were very scary times. I hope to never see that again. I stayed in the cabinet business for years after that. I bounced from shop to shop that had work. My wife and I moved to Kansas City in 2016 and started my own shop and I haven’t looked back since!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh no! A scary dark road at times. Such is life, I guess! It’s not an easy business to begin with. A lot of timing and moving parts! The 2008 recession was really eye opening! It was amazing to see what direct effect a housing market crash can do to a small business. Many big and small businesses were decimated. A lesson I won’t forget. Ever!
Like I mentioned, cabinetry is not an easy business. It requires precise timing, and an incredible work ethic! It requires more than most would ever dream! Theres about a million variables at play that dictate how your year will be! But… to me, it’s worth it. I think it’s really about the art and job satisfaction. The smile of a happy customer seeing their dream kitchen finished, the pleasure of watching raw material become an insanely gorgeous piece of furniture! Thats the good stuff!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own and operate Mfcaseworks. A cabinet shop that specializes in custom cabinetry and furniture. We take on unique projects of all kinds. We absolutely love making dream kitchens/bathrooms/furniture for our customers. I think the thing that sets us apart from the other shops, is meeting our clients. finding out who they are, what styles they love. Incorporating little details throughout their builds that reflect them as people. We hear them and build projects around them! I can tell you, that makes all the difference in the world! We love it! Every one of the projects I build looks like the people I built it for. That’s real. That’s cool. What companies in the world do that!? Does it take time? Absolutely! but the end results are unbelievable! Everyone’s different, everyone has a style preference, but it doesn’t have to stop at style. Turn the page to who they are as people and incorporate those details as well! Capture the essence of them! That makes a huge difference!
As an example, A new customer, Monica, just moved to town from Wisconsin. At our initial meeting, Monica, didn’t really know what she wanted her new kitchen to look like and it was stressing her out! We talked for a while, and I got to know her a little better. I asked a few questions about basic kitchen details, colors, etc. We talked a while longer. I watched her eyes light up when she talked about her grandmother’s kitchen details and Bingo! We talked about vintage antique kitchens, cloth curtains instead of cabinet doors, Mixed paint and stain features. By the end of the meeting, we both knew exactly what we were going for! She’s now so excited and so am I! This process doesn’t have to be stressful! It can be so much fun!
What’s next?
Man plans, God laughs! I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing while I’ve got the time and health to do it! So, no immanent changes! I enjoy the work, the work keeps coming, so will I. I can’t say for sure what the future holds.
To me, this is all about the art. The second that changes, that’s a different story. I have enjoyed watching the business grow to what it is today. I have only my customers to thank for that! I look forward to many more years of this profession. It suits my personality well. It gives my life meaning and purpose! I love meeting new people. So, I’m incredibly fortunate and grateful to be where I am!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mfcaseworks.com
- Instagram: Mfcaseworks
