Today we’d like to introduce you to Enrique Laurent.
Hi Enrique, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Our journey started 24 years ago in 1999, when I began my career as an apprentice to a master carpenter. I began by learning the art of trim work from this expert and honed my skills over the next two years. It wasn’t long before I felt confident enough to venture out on my own as a trim carpenter.
As time passed, I expanded my knowledge and expertise, learning how to create stairs and cabinets. It took me 16 years to master the craft of cabinet making, and it was then that I knew I had found my calling. I have always been a handy and practical person, and carpentry was a perfect fit for me. It is something I approach with pride and passion every day.
Throughout this journey, I have relied on my faith in God to guide me through the tough times and to keep me grounded during the good ones. Although the path to success has been challenging, it has also been a rewarding one. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of working inside the homes of Houston’s most prominent figures, including sports team owners, politicians, and prominent entrepreneurs. Each project presented its own set of challenges, but we always rose to the occasion and delivered quality craftsmanship.
Looking back on our journey, we take great pride in how far we’ve come, and we remain excited about the future. Our commitment to providing top-quality, custom-made cabinetry to our clients remains as strong as ever, and we are grateful for the continued support of our family and customers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our journey has been anything but smooth sailing. One of the major struggles we faced was navigating through challenging times to keep our business running. When the 2008 recession hit, it brought construction work in our city to a complete halt. However, we were fortunate to have clients with remodeling projects outside the city in Columbus, Brenham, and College Station. This meant spending most of 2008 and 2009 working in these areas to keep our business afloat.
Being in the carpentry trade requires a wide range of tools, and as a business owner, it is always important to have the most efficient and effective tools available (even if they happen to be expensive!). However, it took a while to accumulate a professional set of tools for our team and us. It was a challenge to invest in these essential tools while also managing the business’s finances. Nevertheless, we persevered, and now we are proud to say that we have a fully equipped warehouse with industrial-grade tools to create the highest quality custom cabinetry for our clients.
As you know, we’re big fans of Laurent Carpentry. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Laurent Carpentry is a 100% family-owned custom cabinet shop that specializes in designing and building high-quality, custom-made cabinets for residential clients in the Houston area. We also have Laurent Cabinet Doors, which is dedicated to providing cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and custom panels. We have a team of skilled craftsmen who are experienced in woodworking and cabinetry and only the best materials and techniques to create custom cabinets that are both functional and beautiful.
What sets our custom cabinet shop apart from others in Houston is our commitment to providing personalized service and attention to detail. We also fabricate our cabinet doors in-house, which allows for faster completion times. We work closely with each client to understand their needs and preferences and then design and build custom cabinets that meet those specific requirements. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service, which has helped us establish a strong reputation in the community.
As a brand, we are most proud of our reputation for excellence and our commitment to customer satisfaction. We believe in building long-term relationships with our clients, and many of our customers come back to us for additional projects and refer their friends and family to our shop.
In terms of offerings and services, Laurent Carpentry offers a wide range of options to meet the unique needs of each client. We specialize in custom kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, built-in bookcases, entertainment centers, and other types of cabinetry for both residential and commercial spaces.
Laurent Carpentry is a well-respected and trusted brand in Houston, recognized for delivering top-quality, custom-made cabinets and providing exceptional customer service. We take pride in the relationships we’ve built with some of Houston’s leading builders, such as Mirador Builders, who believe in our continued growth as a business. By consistently delivering on our promise of high-quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service, we’ve earned the respect and loyalty of our clients and industry partners alike.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success means having the opportunity to pursue your passions and doing what you love every day. It’s about setting goals and working towards achieving them, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. Success is a journey, and it’s not always easy, but it’s about having the perseverance and determination to see things through until you achieve what you set out to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurentcarpentry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurentcarpentry/
Image Credits
Flash Moments Photography
