Two Dudes and A Hammer

John Carpenter and Travis Stecks were working for someone else when they made up their minds earlier this year to break out on their own.

“We just decided we might do better on our own,” Stecks said.

The two offer a variety of carpentry services under a unique name — Two Dudes and A Hammer. Stecks said they actually have a full set of tools but tried to come up with a name that was “different and catchy.”

They do mostly fences and decks but are willing to take on other jobs. Stecks said their hope is to eventually operate a full-fledged fencing company. In their early 20s now, Stecks said it’s a good time for them to start out on their own with plenty of time ahead to build up the business.

Carpenter’s background is mostly in framing houses, while Stecks’ experience comes primarily from fence and deck work. “Quality work is our specialty,” Specks said.

He’s thought about construction work, particularly carpentry, all his life and believes that attitude is what sets the new business apart from other small carpentry crews.

“I love working with wood,” he said.

Because the two partners already had trucks and tools, they spent only $400 for insurance and their business license in Rogers to get started.

Business is already growing for the two. Their willingness to take on any fencing or decking job, no matter how big or how small, helps, Specks said.

“We’re staying busy,” he said.