Craftsmen Triad Fabricates Unique Ybor Metals | Small Business ...

As experienced business owners, three soon-to-be partners turned to the SBDC because they knew their forthcoming company, Stack Design Group, needed to focus on more than just its careful manufacturing of railings, gates and stairs.

Many business owners find that the best place to hash out partnership matters is with a nonbiased team. That?s exactly what three entrepreneurs did at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) prior to joining forces to create a custom fabrication company with products just as unique and culturally rich as its location in Ybor City.
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How Partnerships got it started

Partnerships are a great way to pool resources and talents. They make an idea stronger, easier to initiate and more sustainable. Creating a partnership afforded Stack Design Group an alternative to working in a vacuum as a solo business. Each owner brought a distinctive quality. Lead designer, William Stack, spent more than 20 years at several of Tampa Bay?s most notable architectural firms, while Robert Brindley added a multi-dimensional fine art quality. Harry Parker?s business acumen balanced the group?s marketing ability.

It was Parker who introduced his business partners to the SBDC.? He?d used the center in 2003 to open a South Tampa coffee shop. At the time, he met with six consultants in the areas of marketing, accounting and finance. So, when it came to pursuing the creation of Stack Design, Parker brought his partners to a familiar place.

?We wanted answers,? said Stack. ?We needed a nonbiased sounding board, relevant feedback, and honest facts. I can ask a SBDC consultant how healthy the business is and get an honest answer on how to improve.?

?It makes me feel good to hear that,? SBDC CPACertified Public Accountant and consultant, Mario Iezzoni, added. ??Business owners must hear what the realities are; the obstacles they will face; and necessary action-items to be profitable so they can grow.?

Meeting at the SBDC allowed for a very smooth startup ease. The careful preparation immediately allowed them to focus on creating high quality products without distraction. This resulted in hiring two more employees.

?All things are equal before you open your doors. But, once you start, the synergies between partners become ever-evolving,? said Iezzoni. ?Stack?s partners addressed the essential roles of separating administrative duties, accounting responsibilities and daily functionality prior to forming the partnership.

?Continuing Strong with Sweat Equity

A significant importance to their business was their accounting and recording keeping. Since each partner owned previous businesses, they understood the value of measuring and assigning costs. They met with Iezzoni throughout the course of their first year to seek advice.

?The key for fabrication firms is understanding absorption costing,? said Iezzoni. ?Management needs to calculate the actual labor costs, which are the basis of creating artistic quality that sets the company apart from competitors.?

Though they continually work at offering competitive pricing, they know it?s important to measure the sweat-equity in each fabrication project. Taking the time to assign costs to a job is helpful when considering opportunities and helps them work toward much larger fabrication projects.

Iezzoni says that when he?s exploring Tampa and sees metal work, he thinks of Stack Design. ??It?s really neat that I?ve met the designers,? he said.? ?If you ever get a chance to meet them, you?d understand why a stairwell, porch railing, metal gate or an atrium looks so appealing. It?s because of a convergence of hardworking men who are truly committed to growing a successful company with a focus on artistic quality and competitive prices.?

Ybor City?s Metal Fabricator since 2002

stackDesign HQ 1901 E 2nd Avenue ? Tampa, FL ? 33605-5203 ? phone 813.410.4066

http://stackdesign.com

Source: http://www.sbdctampabay.com/craftsmen-triad-fabricates-unique-ybor-metals/

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