Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Marsh.
Brian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
All throughout my childhood, I remember feeling pulled to create my own work – something enjoyable that would also provide income. In 8th grade, I made my own flyers for landscaping, dog sitting, and various other simple jobs for a young guy I could think of… I now see that was a seed that was just beginning to grow. In every house my family moved into, my father would tear down parts of or build additions, and as the oldest of 6 children, I was always recruited to assist in any way possible.
I joined a class called “Stage Tech” at Bearden High School which I ended up really enjoying and completing three semesters. In this class, we learned all that goes on to prepare for a play/musical beforehand and got to learn basic woodworking and painting skills which we used to build the elaborate sets for the plays/musicals. I believe it was here that I really discovered my joy in creating/crafting.
My heart had moved from arts to medical throughout college, where I pursued a medical degree geared towards entering the Air Force. I realized this was not a reality due to a lifetime of Asthma, and so I began looking for the next career I could have. Since my Sophomore year in high school, I had held a job at Altruda’s Italian restaurant, moving up their ranks over the course of seven and a half years.
I knew I didn’t want to do that my whole life and was tired of working late hours while all my friends and family enjoyed evening dinners, shows, football games, and all the things I couldn’t while working in the hospitality industry. I began to strike a relationship with a regular at the restaurant, who ended up extending an invite to discuss a possible career at his business.
Once I decided it was time to take the big step to leave the restaurant, I sat down with Mr. Terry Turner of All Occasions Party Rentals. We had a sincere, in-depth conversation about who I wanted to be and where I envisioned my future going. I did not have a clear path, but I knew and expressed that I desired steadiness, fulfillment, and growth.
He laid out of large view possibility of all of this, which I eagerly stepped into as an engaged 23 year old looking to lay his solid foundation for a family. I could see that Mr. Turner leaned into my growth as a man and not just as a potential employee for his business, and that spoke loudly.
I worked strenuously to learn all that I could about the business and the event industry – to ensure that I had as much knowledge as possible of how to succeed. I asked questions often, pushed my superiors to give me more and explain how things worked, shook as many hands as I could, and engaged in genuine conversation. I came to find out that no one ever truly understands how big the event/wedding industry is until you are behind the scenes seeing all the setup, catering, planning, design, and media.
The MASSIVE group of effort and people it takes to set up each and every event – not to mention taking it all down afterward as well. Needless to say, I was learning more than I knew I could, and I still had the constant thought in the back of my head saying “There is something else here.” It was during a small sales meeting with a bride that wanted a hexagon arbor (we did not have in inventory) that my gears really started turning.
I approached the boss several times asking if I could build it for the company so that we could make this bride happy. the flame had been lit in my mind and I had been spending nights scouring Pinterest for wedding trends and I had noticed that there were some really cool arbors and wood items that were unique and like nothing we had in the area.
After several conversations with the boss, it was clear that they did not want to invest in an arbor, so I breached a new conversation (nervous and yet confident in my hopes) to let me build it anyway and rent it to the bride. I would only rent arbors so as to not compete with my employer. Somewhat hesitantly, an agreement was made.
I had no idea that this would become what it is today. I wanted to make $300 one weekend. But the flame was lit, and people caught on quick. There was an outpouring of support for my woodworking ability and the need for this niche to be filled in the industry. I began researching more and more and creating/adding new arbors and backdrops to rent.
It was easy to manage after work hours for a while and I was already on social media throughout the day, so I had the opportunity to post quickly as well. As arbor rentals grew, so did the requests for furniture builds. I had no idea how to build any furniture, but I knew I could learn anything I put my heart and mind to, and I knew I enjoyed the challenge and especially the joy I got to see in people when their dream wedding day came true or their dream furniture design was realized.
AOPR was and is my second family, but the day came when I was getting burnt out from doing time and half at both the company and my own business. I was scared, but I had a very long talk at the end of one day with Mr. Turner in which I submitted my resignation and poured my heart out for my reasoning and what I truly felt called to do next. May 27th, 2021 was the first day as the full-time owner of Marsh Made Design. It was a great day.
While my grit to succeed and put my heart into all that I do was gifted to me by God, I attribute much of my work ethic, sales knowledge, and abilities to those that personally invested in me. I truly could not do what I do today, creating a living out of something I truly enjoy if it were not for all of my friends, family, and industry leaders that have constantly poured into me and encouraged me to push forward and grow.
Today, Marsh Made Design serves an average of 150 brides/grooms a year and we are quickly growing in the luxury, custom furniture, and business outfitting niche. This year, we are set to triple the first official year’s income, and we have already added a new team member, something I also never thought would happen for me/my business. I love what I do, and who I get to do it with.
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?
I have strived to never miss an arbor rental and to always pay attention to the details – so it has been pretty smooth. We have maintained a reputable name in the industry, and I do my best to make a personal interaction in every transaction
Custom furniture builds are always a challenge since almost every build is a first-time thing for me – but that’s the fun part!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Marsh Made Design provides designer wedding arbor rentals and custom carpentry. We specialize in custom wedding decor requests for brides in the wedding industry.
We build custom furniture and home renovations outside of the wedding industry. We are quickly making a name for luxury and custom builds for local businesses as well. I truly love getting to help build someone’s business dream and watching them thrive after contributing to their setup/building design.
I believe what sets MMD apart from others is me, simply put. I put my heart into every sale and pursue a relationship with each customer that extends past the transaction. Every person is unique and valuable to the growth of this community.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m a pretty open book! All those close to me know me well.
Contact Info:
- Email: marshmadedesign@gmail.com
- Website: marshmadedesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshmadedesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marsh-Made-Design-100249551345947
Image Credits
Andrea Spidell, Emma Grace Photography, T&K Photography, and Kecia Killian Photography
