Originally from Costa Rica working in missions, the Millers moved back to the United States when co-founders Anthony and Caleb were 16 and 18 years old, respectively.
The day after the family got to America, the brothers landed their first job: working in a shed company.
"Three and a half years later, we decided to start our own business because we wanted to build our own dream instead of working for someone else's," - Caleb and Anthony
"Building sheds was the only thing we knew how to do, and even though we were told that we were too young, too new to America, and we didn't know enough, we chose to bet on ourselves."
So at 18 and 21 years old, Anthony and Caleb started the shed company in their dad's backyard with no shop and just a tiny office. "We sold exactly one shed in our first four months, but quitting was not an option for us, By April 2018, we had generated enough sales, mostly through Facebook Marketplace, to keep us working in Eagle Ridge Barn Builders full time."
The first year, the two brothers built sheds almost entirely on-site, but in 2019 brother Nathan bought into the company and started a shed hauling company so that they could also offer pre-built and delivered sheds. And some months later the business was moved from their parents backyard to a dedicated piece of property with a lot more room for growth.
Every start-up business has its challenges, and, as shared previously, Eagle Ridge's initial challenge was generating sales.
"We've made a lot of progress through hiring a sales manager, investing in sales training system, and setting clear expectations for our salesmen."
Of course, to still be in operation after 6 years, Eagle Ridge has had its share of successes, as well. "In the evenings, when everyone has gone home and everything is quite and we walk around the shop, that's the moment when we remember that four years ago this land was a corn field and we were working out of the shop with a dirt floor and no electricity," - Anthony
"Six years ago Eagle Ridge didn't exist, We've actually built something here, something bigger than us. We've been able to change the lives of some of our workers. And we're not done yet."
-Caleb, Anthony, Nathan, Carson