Hoy starts Jamie’s Custom Cutting
Business: Jamie Hoy of Coshocton started Jamie’s Custom Cutting in his family garage in late October 2012. Photo contributed to The Beacon
COSHOCTON – Across the United States, March is officially National Disability Awareness Month. Disability takes many forms, but for one local man it’s meant realizing a dream of entrepreneurship.
Jamie Hoy of Coshocton started Jamie’s Custom Cutting in his family garage in late October 2012. Armed with a contract from local manufacturer, BoltAron, Hoy set out to provide a product needed by the local company, as well as create income for himself.
The contract with BoltAron called for Hoy’s Custom Cutting to saw up to 200 boards designed to provide stability during shipping of the company’s plastic sheeting, which is used as wall covering in the healthcare industry. This required purchase of specialty equipment for his workshop, along with a dust collection system and other tools and fixtures to make the process safe, accurate and efficient. Hoy also negotiated with Keim Lumber for pricing and delivery of raw wood products from their mill directly to his home-based workshop. Once the wood was cut and ready for shipment, Hoy worked with Hopewell Industries for pick- up and delivery of finished product to the company’s Newcomerstown location.
Hoy is an entrepreneur, and he has cerebral palsy. According to Medline Plus from the National Institute of Health, “Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and to maintain balance and posture. The disorders appear in the first few years of life. Usually they do not get worse over time. People with cerebral palsy may have difficulty walking. They may also have trouble with tasks such as writing or using scissors. Some have other medical conditions, including seizure disorders or mental impairment.
Cerebral palsy happens when the areas of the brain that control movement and posture do not develop correctly or get damaged. Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before 3 years of age. Babies with cerebral palsy are often slow to roll over, sit, crawl, smile or walk. Some babies are born with cerebral palsy; others get it after they are born.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have it. Treatment includes medicines, braces and physical, occupational and speech therapy.”
Due to his disability, Hoy received specialized employment services through several agencies. With support from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, Hoy was able to purchase a Saw Stop, a customized saw that virtually guarantees an accident-free workplace. Besides being key to Hoy’s safe operation of a large power tool, it is readily available in the open market, making it affordable and available.
Sean Ragsdale is his vocational counselor. “Jamie has the skill and the personality to be a successful entrepreneur. When presented with this opportunity, he reacted immediately, identifying what he needed to get started as well as what he already had in his workshop that could be part of his business operation.”
Debbie Christmas of the Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities assisted Jamie in “test runs” of the product and acted as a liaison among Hopewell Industries, BoltAron and Jamie’s Custom Cutting. “Jamie is meticulous about the quality of the products he provides. The company has been able to use every one of the boards he shipped to them. There is absolutely no waste.”
At the center of Hoy’s business, and his success in it, is his family support. Hoy’s mom, Connie Bullens, teases that she is merely his volunteer labor. In addition to preparing finished goods for pick-up, she helped him compare equipment and costs, write the business plan for Jamie’s Custom Cutting, set up his work area, negotiate contracts and maintain financial records. Most importantly, she has given up her parking spot in the family garage to accommodate Hoy’s business needs. “That was a really tough decision,” she laughs.
With guidance from the Kent-Tusc Small Business Development Center, Hoy wrote a business plan for Jamie’s Custom Cutting, detailing the anticipated marketing, management and financial future of the company. “Although he came to the table with his first potential customer already in place, preparing the business plan helped Jamie identify other options,” says Jackie LeBerth, consultant for Kent-Tusc SBDC. “He has fabulous family support and a great work ethic, both of which are essential in the success of any small business.”
Even with virtually all “the bugs” worked out of his processes, Hoy is not resting on his laurels. He is busy designing and experimenting with other products – those he can make for other companies, such as Eagle Hardwoods, as well as those he can make for individuals.
“I love working with wood, any kind of wood,” Hoy said “and I appreciate that several local businesses using wood products have given me the opportunity to work with them.”
Hoy dreams of an always-growing, bigger and better Jamie’s Custom Cutting. “I’m hoping to get to know more business owners who want to talk about working together,” he said. “You never know what we’ll come up with.”
For additional information, contact Hoy at 502-5391 or jlhoy@yahoo.com.
Category: Business
Jamie hoy is one of the finest young man that I know!