We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jake Mulder. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Jake, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now is getting out of bed around 4:30am. I start my energy drink and wake up a little before taking a shower and usually leave my house around 5:45-6:00a. I have no patience for Houston traffic, so leaving early helps me miss that whole headache. I try to be at my client’s house by 6:45a (I don’t bother them unitl 7:00) to get everything all setup, and start cutting shortly after 7:00a. I install a design, caulk, wood fill, sand, and finally paint the wall at the end of the day. I usually finish by 2-3:00, again, so I can miss traffic. I do not embellish when I say: I left a job one day at 3:30 instead of 3:00, should’ve taken me an hour to get home, I didn’t arrive home until after 7:30p. Nope, not for me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jake Mulder and I specialize in creating custom accent walls using different types/sizes of wood trim, and I also work with Venetian Plaster. I started my business in 2022 after we moved to Houston from Columbus, Ohio. Since I’d been doing walls since late 2017, the timing of the move seemed like the opportune time to “officially” start my business. I think what makes my business special and unique, is me. I always tell people that I’m the ultimate unicorn: gay, white, left-handed, red-headed, stepchild, in an interracial relationship for almost 24 years, with someone older than me. I always ask my clients if I can listen to music while I’m working and warn them of my awful singing voice. They usually get a free concert. I feel like I am professional, but people see me as approachable and fun, and that’s important to me,
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I don’t feel like the world has told me who to be at all. Prior to being an adult, I wasn’t necessarily raised in an accepting environment/household. Since I turned 18, I have been unapologetically myself. I used to have to hide who I was and be mindful of how I presented myself while around certain people, and I no longer feel that way. If someone does not accept me for me, I don’t need that negativity in my life. I am who I am, take it or leave it.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been several times I’ve almost given up. I was kicked out of my house when I was younger: I got off work one night at 10:00p and all of my belongings were packed and in the driveway. Living in my car and struggling for several years, there were many times I almost gave up. After moving to Houston and getting a job working at the airport (I was a supervisor and then manager for Swissport), I was doing very well! I ended up injuring my back and over the course of three years, had three back surgeries, including a fusion of part of my lower spine. Being unable to move and complete tasks as you used to is extremely disheartening. During this time though, I attended online schooling thru Columbia College and attained my Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. I attended therapy and took classes to help understand my own trauma and for the past 10 years, my whole outlook at vision on life has changed. Staying positive and continuing to do what makes ME happy is the most important thing. That’s exactly why I do what I do now: the look on the faces of clients after seeing their completed area, makes my day.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
This is going to sound really bad and I’m sure I’ll get a ton of hate but: Social Media is the Devil. I’ve met some people who agree, but they are very few and far between. I used to love technology and making cartoons, I even went to state when I was in junior high to present my cartoons (along with 2 others from my school) to the governor/other state representatives. Seeing how social media has taken over is scary to me. Most kids I know, want to be an “influencer” or are constantly making videos. I’ve met several “influencers” and I feel like the whole thing is just very fake and I don’t see how it can be a long-term career. I could be completely wrong but it would also make me very uncomfortable to be sharing everything that’s going on in my life or allowing people into my personal life by constantly filming in my home. The whole thing is kind of creepy to me. I try to limit my time on the computer/phone so I am present in the moment. It is probably also to my own detriment, as if I posted more: I’d have more views and more followers and more jobs.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell the story of someone who accepted everyone. I love and accept everyone for their differences. I love experiencing different cultures and meeting new people. I’ve always been told I’m too nice. I give everyone multiple chances before I have to make the decision to write them off, and even then, it’s extremely difficult. I love helping people and being generous. I try to smile and say hi to random people when I’m out, you never know what someone is going thru and you may be the only one to smile at them that day. I want people to tell others that I was a good person who had empathy and compassion for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MulderArtistry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mulder_artistry/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-mulder-073151134/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MulderArtistry/
