TJ Customs

03/30/2025

I continue to be incredibly proud of the work Tim Jakubowski puts in every single day. I continue to look at him in awe of what he is able to create from a 2D drawing I create. Our timelines may suck because we are two people, trying to run a business, be there to watch our kids sporting events, and sometimes we just need a break. We work usually 6-7 days a week whether it’s building, painting, quoting….we work. Our work supports our kids sporting events and so much more.
See when you work with a small company you’re helping support a dream of being able to show up for your kids when they need you. You’re supporting a family. Not a corporation that wouldn’t know you from the next person. We meet with our customers who are important to us in every way. Again…our timelines suck…we do every aspect from drawing out your vision, to getting supplies, to building cabinets, drawers, doors…drilling all those tiny adjustable pin holes, filling all the nail holes…painting or staining (which depending on the weather can take two days or more!) to coordinating install. Sometimes a project I think will take a week to finish takes 2 weeks which throws a whole wrench in everything. Sometimes the quality of wood sucks so bad we have to cut out chunks of wood and use wood bondo….there you go another delay…to say it gets frustrating is an understatement. We have tried different stores, suppliers…and still have issues. It’s not fun. Delays mean we don’t get paid unless we book another job…which when we get delayed…pushes our timeline which then sometimes is too far out for a customer…believe me when I say this…we get just as frustrated if not more than our customer sometimes.
But…I wouldn’t trade this life for anything or with anyone. Tim does beautiful work. He works hard. We were planning to do his total knee replacement this year but we can’t have him down for that long….its going to take some time and effort to get to the point he can be off for a couple weeks. So in the meantime…he pushes through pain…often unable to even walk by the end of the day…or in so much pain he wants to just cry…but he pushes through…why? Because he is dedicated to his work and our customers. He is proud of what he does and doesn’t take criticism lightly and is really hard to accept a compliment…
If you have a project coming up with us…we appreciate you being patient …i promisese you we are working as hard and fast as we can…but please remember…we have two kids…ones a sophomore that we only haveve a few years left at home with…and ones in 4th grade that sometimes just needs his mom or dad.z
Here are some projects we have done…I am so incredibly proud of him…

And as always...support local! Even the new business... everyone starts somewhere...you don't always have to buy from them but liking and sharing their name is free..

08/14/2024

We’ve been busy…continuing to work hard on projects…beyond proud of my hubby and his beautiful work. It amazes me to see what I draw (I’m terrible at drawing) and what it turns in to. TJ Customs appreciates each and every customer. Even though we try to take some days off for ourselves or to spend time with family and friends…it still feels like we are constantly working. Something people rarely talk about when you own a small business is feeling guilty about taking time for yourself because you feel as though you have to get something done for a customer. It’s hard, it’s strestressful, it’s overwhelming and exhausting. Trying to balance a business, kids, sports, and just trying to understand that it’s just cabinets…not a life or death situation…becomes really hard. Then finding out one of your best friends has cancer…adds to stress. Knowing Tim needs to get a total knee replacement sooner than later and we will need to shut down production for a few weeks…adds a whole new level of stress. Knowing school is starting in a couple weeks…you haven’t done back to school shopping and aren’t ready for summer to be over because you feel like you didn’t take enough time to enjoy it with your family…adds stress. But…being self employed is a stress we wouldn’t change. We love being able to go watch a track meet, go camping (only got out 2 times this year), or take the boat out during the week (only got the boat out once unfortunately)…we truly appreciate the love and support from our friends, customers and family. We wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you. Cheers to continuing to grow…here’s some projects for you to enjoy…always remember…support local…be patient with them…most of the time it’s only a couple people with the company and if they forget to message you back…or a project install date gets moved….they probably got side tracked because one of their kids needed a ride somewhere to practice, or they’ve got a house full of kids…support local businesses…support your friends or family that own them…you don’t always have to buy from them…but a shout out, a like or a recommendation goes a long ways….

12/28/2023

Here’s a kitchen we just completed a few weeks ago. He got everything finished and sent picture! Love the colors and the final product! TJ Customs is finishing out the year and ready for a few quiet days before back to the grind…

12/27/2023

A couple of recent projects we’ve done…slowly chipping away at them but also taking some time to enjoy time together…Merry Christmas from our family to yours….TJ Customs

12/05/2023

We’ve been busy over the last year and a half….heres a peek at recent work!

07/07/2022

Taking a few days off to relax, unwind and re-energize in our Happy Place. We work hard day in and day out. Do we always get projects done as fast as we may like or people may like…no. Unfortunately we are a two man show that does everything for each project. From designing projects, chasing down wood, building, wood filling, painting, staining you name it. We love what we do and are grateful for each and every one of our customers which sometimes turn into friends. But we appreciate everything and everyone. We appreciate all of the support from our friends and family. We hate not meeting timelines but sometimes whether it’s the temperatures that cause paint or clear coat to slowly cure or when measurements are wrong we still push forward and try to get as close to a timeline as we can. Everything gets pushed back because of supplies or something comes up with the kids. But we work hard to make sure each project is what the customers want. Thank you all for your continued support. We couldn’t have done it and be where we are without each and every one of you. We appreciate your patience in completing things even though timelines aren’t always what we say. We promise we will get it done! Please understand we are doing everything in our power to raise a family, run a business and make you all happy. Here are a few of our latest projects…

03/31/2022

THIS👇…shared and so true…. We at TJ Customs are just trying to figure it all out….And we appreciate every single one of you!

The unfortunate truth of owning and running a business.

Running a business is really hard.

What they don’t tell you is that it can cause severe stress and anxiety, and drains you mentally to the point of depression in even the most laid back people.

People will talk about you, compare you to others, use you, they will view you as a service and not a person anymore.

Friends and family will expect discounts and people will value you and your hard work less than a big chain store.

You have to worry about if you forget to email/message someone back, are they going to think it was on purpose? Did you disappoint them? Will they hold that against you? When in reality you just can’t get to everyone’s messages and emails.

Starting up and running a successful business puts incredible strain on personal lives and relationships, many of which fail because there is just often no work life balance. You need to be the director, the worker, the admin, the marketing team, the accountant, the cleaner..... All whilst being a parent, a husband or a wife, family support, friend... it’s one of the hardest things you will try and balance

There’s a reason you don’t see many people succeed in small businesses after 5 years. If they are successful they are overwhelmed. It takes a toll. It’s freaking exhausting. Especially the past couple of years when so much has been out of our control.

Here’s a small reminder that we are just normal people with hectic lives. Be kind, be patient, support small businesses…….and hopefully more of us will stick around!

02/22/2022

A few projects we’ve completed recently. We are ready for lumber prices to drop, materials such as wood, paint, clear coat, stain, wood filler, gloves, oh and everything else we need to build items to come back in stock…we are ready for life to be normal again…TJ Customs has been working so hard for a 1.5 man show to get things done! You can order something from a huge company and get it quicker or you can support small and local and get a piece filled with love, pride and a lot of hard work that will absolutely take loner to get but I promise it will be worth it! Please visit our page and give us a like! We appreciate every one of you!

02/22/2022

Lumber shortages and prices make our job hard…very hard…TJ Customs continues to work hard but progress is slow…here’s a small reason of why…now include paint shortages, stain shortages….even wood putty shortages….it’s all pretty challenging and frustrating for all involved…

Since the outbreak of the pandemic lumber prices have been extremely volatile and are now surging again, with an over 25% increase in January alone.