12/20/2025
1 year ago today was my husbands last day at his full-time job. That means 1 year ago today, he also decided to fully pursue Around the Lakes Custom Woodworks.
ATL started as a “side hustle” to make extra cash. First building desks from 2x4’s. (They were in high demand because this was also the beginning of COVID when everyone was working from home). ATL wasn’t even a thing yet. But as Toms talents grew, so did our projects and clientele. All of a sudden we were making actual custom cabinetry. This was not in our plans!
After 4 years of this side hustle, that we honestly needed to even pay ours bills, It was in my gut that there was more to come. I continued to express to Tom “we need to do it, I think you need to quit your job.” The biggest set back was his promised income every 2 weeks. What if things fail? What if we can’t pay our bills? but after months of persuading my husband to do something wild like quit your promised income.. He decided to bite the bullet and take the leap.
Once a dream, now reality, we bought a shop in small, downtown Hoffman and renovated it to work as our new adventure, our family business. Behind the scenes has been filled with lots of prayers, full of ups and downs, as we knew this year would be! But to be honest, it’s been mostly ups and it’s because of our customers. We haven’t taken for granted a single one of you. When there are so many other cabinetry shops to choose from we are so grateful for every single project that we have had the opportunity to take on.
So here we are, 1 year in, wow, we actually did it. We cant wait to see what year 2 brings for us! And thank you for trusting us with your projects!
-the Zach family
