The first thing you’ll notice about One Man, One Garage is that there are actually two men working in that garage, Marcus Williams and SJ Stone. These two friends share a business, a shop dog named Ellie, and a 1950s ranch house with a detached garage on a residential cul-de-sac in Nashville, Tennessee. “The name of the business is a joke,” says SJ, “but I also see a deeper meaning in it: You can get anything done and you can do it anywhere, whether it’s in your garage or your craft room. Just get started.”
Marcus and SJ use their garage as a workshop and laboratory, designing and fabricating original laser-cut kits that assemble into lamps, birdhouses, planters, maps, ornaments, and more. With over 15,000 Etsy sales, this team thrives on nonstop innovation. “It’s totally based on passion,” says Marcus. “If you’ve got the drive, you can do it. We’re living proof of that.”
Read on to discover exactly how Marcus and SJ got their start, and shop the collection.
So, how did One Man, One Garage get started?
SJ: We had been friends for a while, and the business evolved organically. We started out just playing around with the laser cutter, going into it as amateurs. And then one day, we naturally became business partners.
Marcus: Etsy was a great start for us because we got to launch basically from our garage, put some items online, and quickly see what the public liked. So launching happened really fast.
With such a wide variety of products, how do you decide what to make next? What guides your product development process?
M: Passion really drives our designs and it can be a long process. I’ve always had a love for different styles of architecture. I first got to explore that through 3D objects like lamps and lanterns, and things have evolved from there.
Our house is full of little UFOs: unidentified, (un)finished objects. We have prototypes we’ve been working on for two years—and we don’t take on custom work because we have a notebook full of our own ideas. It’s a business decision that sometimes disappoints people, but ultimately lets us follow our passion.
SJ: I first started designing based on something I wanted—a wooden case for my phone—so I tinkered around and learned how to make it. Later, I wanted to make a gift for my mom for Mother’s Day. She loves tea, so I made her a tea caddy with a cookie jar on top. It’s that functionality that is so important to us. We always want to make designs that are artistic, but once you put them together, they have a purpose.
With the holidays coming up, everyone is on the hunt for the perfect gift. What are some of your best sellers?
M: People have always steered toward the tabletop fireplace. We designed the kit to be a whole unboxing experience—the parts lift out and everything’s included inside. The vintage camper birdhouse kits are a favorite, too. They’re loved by people who love trailers, people who love models, people who love birdhouses, and people who love toys. Plus, it’s such a small flat pack that it ships easily.
And our United States ornaments are really popular. No one lives where they grew up anymore. Some people buy two: one for where they were born, and another for where they live now. In Nashville, which is a tourist town, we really get to cater to locals and visitors from around the country with those designs.
Part of the One Man, One Garage experience involves assembling the finished piece from a kit. How does that part of the process resonate with customers?
M: One of the things that makes me happiest is hearing how our designs encourage families to spend time together. We design a gift, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. The other piece is the quiet time, where a couple people can sit down and make something together. Maybe it’s taking an hour to hand paint your retro camper, or sitting down with your dad to help him out with the Craftsman-style birdfeeder. We love the idea that you’re gifting some of your time in addition to thoughtfully finding a perfect, unique item.
It’s also encouraging to watch people grow with us. They start with a small kit. They make it, and it’s a confidence-builder, and then we see them come back for something larger and more challenging.
Nashville is a very creative community. How does your environment influence your business?
SJ: There’s a lot of talent here. We’re part of an artists’ co-op of 50–60 artists, and we often get together for pop-up sales on the weekends. In Nashville, there are so many street fairs, farmers markets, and festivals. When we first started out, we were unaware of the local craft market—we didn’t know it was a thing you could do every weekend, complete with food trucks and music.
M: That’s probably a unique quality of Nashville. It’s a happening place and there’s always something going on. A lot of artists need to travel for fairs and shows around the country in order to reach new audiences, whereas in Nashville we have tourists coming every weekend. We see new faces all the time.
You have an incredible mobile trailer that you use for pop-up markets. How did that come to be?
M: We built it from the wheels up. There was a Maker Faire coming up and we wanted to participate, so the trailer became our Maker Faire project. We started working on it in June and the deadline was September. Those were some late nights. It was worth it though, because it gets a lot of attention. It even lights up at night. Not many people can do a pop-up in the evening, but we can.
What kind of equipment do you use to make your kits?
M: We have three laser cutters now. We have the original one we started with, and that’s the baby. We have a medium one, and that’s the workhorse that makes most of our kits. And now we have the monster that’s 4 feet by 8 feet. The garage is pretty full.
SJ: That’s another funny thing about the name, One Man, One Garage—we’re way past the garage. It’s pretty much taken over the whole house now.
Besides the two of you, there’s another important member of your operation. Tell us about your shop dog, Ellie.
M: She’s a princess. She turns nine this year. She has her own place in the studio, a dog house under a table, so she can see everything. She doesn’t like it when we work too late. She’s a good therapy dog, very good for stress relief.
So after nearly four years in business, what’s next for One Man, One Garage?
M: To get through the holidays! There’s always an ebb and flow in retail sales, and after Christmas we can scatter, learn new techniques, develop new products, and get ready for spring. It’s a wide-open world. And we’re also at a tipping point in terms of needing a larger facility. We’ve filled the garage and the house, and until we solve that hurdle, it’s going to be difficult. We would love to bring in new equipment and start working with other materials like glass or metal.
SJ: Another goal is to learn a little more about expanding into wholesale. We really want to push our limits and see how far we can go.
Follow One Man, One Garage on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Photographs courtesy of One Man, One Garage.
54 comments
DeUno from DeUno said 3 years ago
Great design! Love the shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 3 years ago
Love your shop! That camper is awesome! Congratulations on the feature!
Mary Robertson from MaggiesInn said 3 years ago
OMG... your work is amazing. You have such talent and intricate patience. Well done and congratulations on being featured.. you deserve it!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
I love all these laser cut designs. Congratulations on the feature!
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 3 years ago
It's impossible!!! I can't imagine how they make such a cute designe! I like it very much!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 3 years ago
Very nice shop and wonderful items. Congrats on the feature.
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 3 years ago
Great shop, inspiring designs! I loved putting together models as a kid, your designs remind me of that process. Your creations are beautiful. Best wishes as your business grows in 2018 and beyond!
Heublumenkinder from heublumenkinder said 3 years ago
Beautiful pieces of art ♡
Rosita from pillowlink said 3 years ago
WOW! Incredible things they do. And story very inspiring. Thank you for sharing this! WIsh them the best here around on Etsy!
Mari Bori from MariBoriEmbroidery said 3 years ago
It's so unusual! This is magically beautiful! Great work!!!
lulu from scoutvintagejewelry said 3 years ago
great feature, so impressive FYI * the link above in orange that says " shop one man,one garage" goes to a previous featured seller*
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 3 years ago
Wow! Amazing work! Congratulations on the feature!
MJ Toops from WetDesertVintage said 3 years ago
The feature is awesome but the shop link at the bottom is linking to another shop!
mari from frighten said 3 years ago
Congrats on the feature, guys! Love that cathedral lamp especially.
Lynette from TheLacePrincess4 said 3 years ago
WOW!!! That is some amazing talent. Such small little details, but that is where it sets you guys apart...attention to those small details!! Way to go!!
lavendergardencottag from LavenderGardenCottag said 3 years ago
WOW WOW WOW I just don't know what to say! Every item is exquisite! Congrats on your business success!
Pure Invites from PureInvites said 3 years ago
Wow... this is SUPER nice! Very Intricate design and the details are absolutely out of this world.
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 3 years ago
Oooo great feature story ~ beautiful designs and shop ~ just bought a little airplane for a friend flying the friendly skies ! They'll love it. Cheers to much continued success ~!~
Lertpan Pathamavuthikan from orientaltribe11 said 3 years ago
Gorgeous. Congratulations on the feature!
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 3 years ago
Very nice shop! Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
huma kousar from antiquestexiles said 3 years ago
Wow lovly.love the shop congratulations 😍
Liene from SilkArtbyLiene said 3 years ago
Wonderful designs and so inspirational. Wish you the best :)
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 3 years ago
You both are so talented! The detail is amazing. So beautiful. If I could, I would shrink myself, and live surrounded by your creations. The Cathedral lamp is my favorite. Congratulations on your much deserved feature, and I wish you both continued success and blessings!!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop. I wish you much success :)
foofoogal54 from GracefulVtgClothing said 3 years ago
Wow, that is very cool. I may come back to see if you would do an Airstream. foo.
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 3 years ago
Stunning art!! Love those maps especially -- mind blowing!! Congrats on an amazing fab feature!!!
Linda Sweigart from CalicoJewels said 3 years ago
Wonderful!
Olga Kaplina from KnitteditemsbyOlga said 3 years ago
Very nice shop and wonderful items.
One Stop Steampunk Shoppe from OneStopSteamShoppe said 3 years ago
Wow, these designs are awesome! Congrats on the feature! : )
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 3 years ago
Jaw dropping WOW!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 3 years ago
Awesome work! Congrats!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 3 years ago
Amazing work, congrats on the feature!
unflappableproducts from unflappableproducts said 3 years ago
Wow you two both have such a gift! What detailed, fine work! Perfection! Congrats!!
Moth Maximus from MissMothsPassions said 3 years ago
Midwestern Makers, my favorite! :)
Cutie Expressions from CutieExpressions said 3 years ago
Nice shop! thanks for sharing :)
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 3 years ago
Congrats on the feature Marcus and SJ! Your designs and shop are so amazing! I wish you both much success in the new year!
Yuliya Vitkouskaya from Witerki said 3 years ago
Great design!
Rada Danilovic from RadArtaDesign said 3 years ago
Very inspiring story...boys, you are great!
Gillian Northcott from esanivintage said 3 years ago
wow really beautiful work. Especially the caravan. I would like a real life size one of those.
cindy Q. from mrsakarn said 3 years ago
Oh my goodness, such beautiful and creative work!!!!!! I love, love the mobile camper, how cool is that!!!!!! Pretty darn , cool! Congrats, and much continued Success!!!! CQ
Pardar Chia from NaturaSilver said 3 years ago
Inspirational & creative. Congrats to you guys! :)
Coral Olsen from CORALOLSENDESIGNS said 3 years ago
Congrats on the Feature! Great ideas and designs.
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 3 years ago
Congratulations on your feature. You have such beautiful and very unique items . You are both so talented much continued success!!!
Nancy from NanasBathBodyScent said 3 years ago
I am so proud to see a fellow Nashvillian in this feature! This shop is top notch! I have purchased 2 of the tabletop fireplaces and love them! Congratulations on the feature!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 3 years ago
Amazing work, nice shop. Great feature article
Dara Barth from Bumbleweedz said 3 years ago
Absolutely love the creative factor here! Stunning and gorgeous work!
Cynthia from rockpebblestones said 3 years ago
Wow!!! Your cathedral is amazingly lovely and so very intricate! Beautiful work!
Jeannie from MysticalRaindrops said 3 years ago
amazing work!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 3 years ago
Fantastic!!!! I really love your shop :)
Yuri Pysar from Pysar said 3 years ago
You rock, guys. Very talented designs. Congrats on the feature
Shirley Freeman from Sewingthrutheyears said 3 years ago
Love your shop. the camper is great
FatGeisha from FatGeishaShop said 3 years ago
I love Vintage Camper Bird House! I might get it for our backyard... Congrats on the blog post.
Danny N. from ShirtCandy said 1 year ago
Amazing shop!
Umesh Vigg from InspiringAbode said 31 days ago
Gorgeous. Congratulations on the feature!