Andrew Ward and his wife Jessica Smigels moved to Detroit from North Carolina to raise their family near the numerous members of their extended family. It turned out there were far more family members than job opportunities, so the Wards decided to make their own jobs.
The couple founded
Line Studio Detroit, a Corktown-based company that turned concrete into countertops and pieces of furniture. Today it has become their full-time jobs.
"It was hard to find a job that paid well enough to keep the lights on and for me to go to school," Ward says.
Line Studio Detroit has carved out a niche for itself making custom jobs for cast-concrete countertops, vanity tops, and furniture. It’s aiming to release its own line of housewares later this year. Further down the line, Ward hopes to add large outdoor public works to the company's clientele, including water fountains.
Line Studio Detroit has become so busy that Ward is starting to look at making his first hire. He would like to add two new team members by the end of this year.
"I would like to keep us small enough so we can pivot when necessary," Ward says.
Source: Andrew Ward, co-founder of Line Studio Detroit
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.