How We Started
I’m Chris, the owner and creator of Stop and Stair Railings. While the rest of the site is dedicated to my lovely customer base, I'd like to use this page for something different. Here's some insight into myself, why I started this company, and where I'd like to take it.
The Past
I started working in railings back in 2013 for a company doing commercial work. I needed a job, and my uncle opened the door for me, showing me the ropes. I was the kind of person who would pick something up, get good at it, and then get bored quickly. But for some reason, working with my hands, and especially that first time I saw a gorgeous glass railing spanning an entire building, I was hooked. After only a year of working there, I had developed a keen eye for detail and a knack for organization that others seemed to lack. I led my first project to success, and as time passed, my thirst for knowledge in the industry only grew.
The Present
Fast forward ten years, and I had a friend ask me to help with a residential project. Another company that installed windows thought they could handle a glass railing system, after all, glass is glass, right? Unfortunately, it was a disaster. I was shocked at how unsafe this guardrail, something people's safety depends on, was installed. The railing wasn't properly anchored, and the glass wasn't the correct thickness for the application. It was a serious accident waiting to happen. We fixed everything, and by the end, working with that customer directly, seeing her smile when everything was completed, and experiencing the uniqueness of the project, I knew what I wanted to do.
So, I started a company dedicated to bringing the quality and diverse options demanded by commercial projects to the residential market. Working on a unique project every week and working directly with my customers has brought me a sense of job satisfaction I never imagined. It's been a challenge. Appealing to homeowners and differentiating myself from companies that mass produce similar products isn't as easy as I thought, but every time someone's eyes light up when they see the completed project, I know I'm on the right track.
The Future
The details matter in this industry, and there's plenty of work for companies that prioritize volume and basic functionality. But I'm building a high-quality brand for like minded customers who appreciate meticulous craftsmanship and want options beyond a stock set of materials. No matter how big my company gets, I will always be working on projects myself. I can't see myself running things from an office and missing out on my favorite part of this work: bringing your vision to life.