Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in the fire pit business, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eric Tamminga, the owner of Iron Embers, outdoor fire-pit manufacturer located in Canada.
Tell us all about your business...
Iron Embers is a manufacturing company that designs and builds premium outdoor firepits for fire lovers across North America. All our products are built by skilled craftsmen and women at our shop in Guelph, Ontario. We commit to only producing the highest quality items using thick 1/4" steel plates and back them up by a 10-year guarantee on everything we build.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a business owner?
I grew up around a family business in manufacturing, so I learned how to weld and work in a shop from a young age. While in high school, I founded Iron Embers with my brother, working on it after hours and during summers for several years, attending trade shows and markets to sell our products. I got a mechanical engineering degree and worked as a designer for several years before leaving my engineering job to focus on Iron Embers full time in early 2020. Building an amazing, high-performing team that can create excellent products is what keeps the work exciting for me.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The rapid growth that Iron Embers has seen in the past couple of years is my biggest accomplishment (to date). We scaled our team from 2 full-time employees to 35 in just 18 months, setting up the infrastructure as we grew to create a team and workplace that I'm proud to be a part of.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?
The most challenging part of being a business owner is knowing that you are responsible for the critical strategic decisions of the company at the end of the day. It's up to you to make a call on whether to seize the opportunity and push to grow with some exposure or take things slow and minimize risk. It's up to you to choose what type of people to hire and who to let go (granted there are systems in place for this, but you need to at least set the objectives). It's up to you to be an example of the culture you would like to see.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
Top tips? Read books, develop relationships with and learn from people who have already succeeded where you are struggling, and give yourself opportunities to fail and learn.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Top book recommendations:
- The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni
- Start with Why and Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
- Measure What Matters by John Doerr, Larry Page
Where can people find you online?
Website: https://www.ironembers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironembers/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IronEmbers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iron-embers/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as an entrepreneur or business coach that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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