Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Coombs.
Hi Jesse, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I guess you could say it all started with me never really liked being told what to do, or what I can and can’t do. Haha. I couldn’t just hear something couldn’t be done, I had to see it for myself, I’ve been custom metal fabrication since I was a teenager, I never flipped burgers, or had any of those regular teenager type jobs that most start with, I enjoyed making things with my hands. In almost 20 years of doing that, I had the opportunity to work at a few shops that taught me everything I know. I always kind of did things my own way and those companies allowed me to be as weird at work as I wanted as long as things got done on time and done safely.
I guess it helped me stand out and it seemed like I could always talk any crew through any horrible day we’d have. So I always advanced to a managerial position anywhere I worked. Ran shops, ran smaller companies, job sites and crews. Met supers, homeowners, giant contractors, millionaires, and a few billionaires. Built up a report with these types of people for so many years and they all eventually started asking me the same question….. “How much for YOU to do it Jesse?” I had respect enough to never take side work from any place I ever worked for, that’s taking money out of the pockets of your coworkers in my opinion. Then it turned into “You should start your own thing then.”
So in 2017 with help from my best friend of over 20 years, Zack Parks, we started Two Kings Customs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No! Not smooth at all. Haha, I had no idea how hard just suddenly starting an actual company is. I knew nothing about licensing, insurance, W9’s, none of it. We had no money, no help from anyone. Just two dudes that grew up together with low paying jobs we were tired of, putting every spare penny into buying just the most basic of welding tools. Zack put every ounce of faith into hoping my years of experience would magically make it happen. The self-doubt stacked up real quick and I gotta say, if it weren’t for him I would have given up 100 times that first 4 months.
Unfortunately, as most start up companies go, the money wasn’t there for two guys and their families, and Two Kings went down to one king…. but I still wasn’t alone.
I’m blessed with an incredible support group of friends and family. They helped get the word out, brought me work, and sometimes helped me cover the bills when I couldn’t. But with that awesome support group, we’re still rolling today and it’s going better than ever.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We specialize in literally making anything you want out of metal. Not limited to any one specific style or product, and that’s why the word custom is in the name. I like to ask people, what do YOU want. What do YOU see in your head, I don’t try to “sell” anyone anything, I want to create something just for you, from your imagination. We’ve made everything from garbage can lids and picture frames to grand staircases and sizeable custom fireplaces. I love the challenge of something new. I think the thing I’m most proud of is this silly little award I won for a house I spent almost 2 years exclusively working on that was in the 2020 Park City Parade of Homes. There were so many incredibly cool designs and features in that house that I was able to bring to life for the homeowners. Really gave me every opportunity to open the creative side of my mind I never knew I had.
What sets us apart from others? I’d have to say, there’s simply no way anyone is having as much fun as we are doing our jobs. I promise. Ha.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t think luck had much of a factor. This has been a slow grind and the only reason it’s still rolling is that we live by the motto “get shit done” There might have been some lucky breaks here or there but more than anything it just took lots of hard work and dedication.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twokingscustoms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twokingscustoms
Image Credits
Zack Parks
Palmer Helsten
Bruce Coombs
Kirk Wands
Todd & Rebecca Astill
Tyson Isom
Others
