On the show today, Krystle gives us an amazing insight on what not to do when it comes to hiring out a contractor in your home. Unfortunately, Krystle learned the hard way and it’s our sincere hope that you don’t have to. We touch on how to ensure you’re hiring the right contractor that is both trustworthy and will do good work at a good price. Thankfully, there is a silver lining to Krystle’s story as her contractor nightmare scenario turned into her new full-time career as a DIY creator on Instagram & TikTok, which we go in-depth on as well and how you might find a similar success on social media in DIY or any niche you’re passionate about. Make sure to go give Krystle a follow if you haven’t already and shoot her a DM if you have any follow up questions (@perkinsonparkway)!
On the show today, Krystle gives us an amazing insight on what not to do when it comes to hiring out a contractor in your home. Unfortunately, Krystle learned the hard way and it’s our sincere hope that you don’t have to. We touch on how to ensure you’re hiring the right contractor that is both trustworthy and will do good work at a good price. Thankfully, there is a silver lining to Krystle’s story as her contractor nightmare scenario turned into her new full-time career as a DIY creator on Instagram & TikTok, which we go in-depth on as well and how you might find a similar success on social media in DIY or any niche you’re passionate about. Make sure to go give Krystle a follow if you haven’t already and shoot her a DM if you have any follow up questions (@perkinsonparkway)!
Hey, what's up. I am your host, Alex Dalessio and welcome to the real life renovation podcast. If you're looking to get your hands dirty and DIY your home renovation, or even just a small project in your home, then this is the community just for you. Join us as I chat with some of your favorite creators to discuss how their DIY journey started the renovation projects that they've accomplished and even learn tips and advice on how you can achieve similar results in your home. If you have zero experience like I did, when I started, then there's no better community for you to gain the knowledge, confidence, and inspiration to release your inner bad-ass upon every corner of your home. So let's pick up the hammer, have some fun and nail your home renovations together. Welcome to the real life renovation podcast. This is episode 10 today. I'm with crystal Perkins and you can find her at Perkins on Parkway, Instagram, and Tik TOK. Uh, she actually paid a contractor to renovate her home in 2019 and it ended up badly and that's kind of where Crystal's journey started and I'll let her touch on that. It's a really awesome story. So when COVID hit, uh, Chris was able to work from home. She had just had a newborn baby that she now had time to, to be a mother and be there for a baby, but also kind of explore a creative side, which is really where her DIY journey and social media journey really started to blossom. So she was runaway in her home in Dallas, Texas, and crushing every part of it. So with that said, I'll ask the classic opening question to crystal. Imagine you're sitting down right now with HGTV V producers to pick a show on you. What would you tell them sets you apart from other creators?
Krystle:Great opening question. If I was sitting down with HGTV, I think I'd start with the idea that I feel like home and DIY is the way that I currently like work through creativity and work through projects, but I just like making stuff across everything. So I think it would be really cool to have a show where you have like the elements of home decor and DIY and all that stuff. But also like I make music. Like, I love that kind of stuff. I like making for the sake of making, like I spent all weekend making jewelry with my sisters. Like for me, it doesn't have to be, you know, correlated or all the way boiled down to just home stuff. Like I liked doing it all. That's kind of how my account grew, which is why that's what I really focus on. But I'm more interested in creativity and like, as it presents in, in all of those different kinds of aspects. So I think it would be something around like that idea, which would probably take it out of the HDTV realm and probably somewhere else.
Alex:Maybe the DIY network or I think it's the Magnolia that org or something
Krystle:like that. Yeah. Something like that. But I think it would be fun to have a show where you focused on home decor, interiors and stuff, but also just different aspects of creativity. Like I would love to just meet a ton of people from a ton of different fields and just talk to them about their passion, why they're passionate about it and what it is and why they like it. And all that stuff. Like one of my favorite podcasts is song Exploder. Have you ever listened to that? It's a really cool podcast about music and it takes you through like the entire evolution of like a popular song with like a specific artist and getting into the nitty gritty of that, of how that all works together is just like, that's what, like lights my brain on fire. Like I love that
Alex:stuff. I love it. And yeah. You, so you have a band, correct? Yeah. I've heard one of, I forget if you posted it on your stories or it was like a real or. Or something, but you guys are really, really good. So how long have you been, how long have you guys been in it together?
Krystle:We've been making music together for, I think almost four years now. So we actually met on Craigslist, which is hilarious because we were both in DFW and like wanted to make music, but didn't know how to meet people. So it was a really kind of weird origin story, but like we met, we liked each other and we started, so we released an album in 2020, and we're working on, um, our next album right now, which is really fun.
Alex:That's so cool. So you really do just explore all sides of creativity and that's what I love about, uh, just your social media presence in general and kind of your style is it really is just whatever you're passionate about. Whereas a lot of people will feel like they need to be pigeonholed, like where you're passionate about the Stanley cups and you've made like so many funny take toxin reels of stories about it. Um, you just. I think, uh, you did the birthday party, uh, set up like you, you you've done home decor and then obviously you've done giant like room renovations as well. So you really just kind of go with the flow and I think that's, what's so awesome. And you don't see that very often on social media. Yeah. I think
Krystle:the general advice for most creators is niche down, which I think the reason I've experienced some success is because I've followed some of that advice when it comes to my social media, for sure. But also at the end of the day, if it's not serving me and not serving the products that I'm working on and what I'm passionate about, then what's, what's the point of doing this anyway. So I think that it's important to just present all of that stuff. Like what I do, my kid's birthday party, I get that, you know, most of my audience doesn't have kids and that's fine. So it maybe didn't like perform as well, but I also think there's something to say about people feel that passion you can feel when someone's getting burnt out on a project. And it's not quite the same, you know? So if there's a way I've been thinking a lot about that, just as like, I, I look forward and plan like what I want to do on the internet and what I want to talk about. I think more and more, my counts specifically will be less like niche specific. And I have just decided, like, I don't care. Like I'm just going to do what I want and we move forward. I don't know how it's going to go, but I think it'll be an interesting experiment for sure.
Alex:I love that. And I want to touch, uh, a little bit on the social media side, because I know you do it full time, uh, to now, which I think is awesome. And you were one of the people that I look towards when I made the jump, um, as a source of inspiration, but I did before we got into that, I didn't want to touch on just your story on. Your your home journey and touch on the contractor. Cause I think it was a family friend or something along those lines, which I was probably like another dagger in the heart. Yeah,
Krystle:definitely. So we started looking for a house before the housing market went totally crazy, which you're very fortunate. So we were shopping in the last part of 20 17, 20 18 and our budget was really small. So we were looking for houses in the 200, to like two 50 was kind of like our cap range. And we kept looking at all these homes that were smaller, that had been flipped already. And I was so picky and this is before I'd already, I'd always knew that I like liked home stuff and you know, I've. In some way, shape or form blogging on the internet now for like the last 15 years. So whether it's like social media, whether it is, you know, fashion, blogging, starting an Etsy shop, like all that kind of stuff. Um, is that your house or is that mine?
Alex:I live in Baltimore city. And so we live in it's so funny because we live in a nice area. Yeah. But you'll still have like third, the ambulances and the, the police cars go by with their little sirens. Can't escape it.
Krystle:Um, so I went on the internet for a long time. And so when we started looking for a house, I knew that I had opinions about what it should look like, what the design should look like. And we would walk into these flips and I just didn't want to pay for choices that I wouldn't make. And so we ultimately landed in a place where, Hey, do you think we could learn how to do this together? All that kind of stuff. And my husband at the time was like, sure. Yeah. So. And so fast forward, we walked into the house that we currently live in and we're like, that's it? This is the one that we want. It was very, very dated. Um, it was at two 60. So it was like at the very tip tip, tip top of like what our budget was at the time, because we just didn't have a ton of money in terms of like a deposit, not one of those like very lucky millennials that parents gifted them a lot of money to like buy their first home, you know?
Alex:Yeah. Me and Kali put the minimum down payment 3%.
Krystle:Let's do a 3% down payment. Like we were ready. So knowing we had like a 3% down payment and then we saw this, this house. We were like, we got to like, make it work. We got to make it work. We'll we'll fit. We'll figure it out. We'll borrow money. Like, I don't know how we'll do it, but we'll do it. So it ended up that the house had so much, I don't know if you can swear on this podcast. I was going to say so much shit wrong with it that we just gotten. So over our heads. Basically, we, it was, we bought it from a woman that had aged out of the home and was in a facility. And so basically we just bought it from a lawyer and a realtor and we saw it on Friday. We put an offer in Friday night and they accepted our offer Saturday morning. And it had like three or four contingency offers like on the back end if we were to fall through. So we were like, we can't, we can't do anything. Cause it was a bigger house. It was like, this is 2,400 square feet for two 60. And so the price per square foot was really low. So we went through all this stuff, we ended up getting it and it likes that. And we should have known it flooded while we were like in the process of closing in the house, like a pipe burst in the wall. And then like, it was just so many things. So we would buy the house. Our realtor is like, there's going to be stuff wrong with it. We'll figure it out. So the first thing that was wrong with it, we knew it had foundation issues. It turned out the house was out of level 700. Seven inches from the back to the front. So that was kind of the first thing that we did. We took out a loan to like do that, but we took it out with the foundation company. So that was like automatically $16,000. So we were just like, what? Oh, no, like, oh no, like what have we done? And that's just the beginning. Luckily in the process of all this stuff, my husband got a new job where his monthly salary increased quite significantly. And if he hadn't have done that, I don't know what we would have done to be honest. So that helped there. And then we lived in the house for a little while. Uh, so we bought the house in February and then we lived in the house for like six months. Just kind of like we basically spent the first six months just like ripping shit out, like ripping out like old carpet. They left the addicts full of boxes. There was like gross old fridges. Like there was so much gross stuff. So we spend doing, doing a lot of demo ripping stuff. And then trying to
Alex:decide, you know, no experience before this.
Krystle:No, neither of us did. Neither were like, let's go for it. And I like helped my dad, like growing up, like build fences in the backyard. You know, my dad was the typical do it. Yourselfer type gentlemen would much rather outlay his own time versus pay for someone to do that. So growing up with kind of like that example, I was like, I've seen my dad build a deck before. Like, it can't be that hard. Like I can do this, you know, versus my husband, we quickly learned was very scared of like my confidence in doing those types of projects. Like, what do you mean? Do you feel like, you know, you can tile, like, what do you mean? You've never done it. I'm like, yeah, but I think I can figure it out. And him being like, he's like, I don't think so so quickly. It was like, well, we've got to figure out how to do this. And Michael was like a little bit scared and. Then I was like, oh, I'm pregnant. Like, what are we going to do? Like, our house has concrete floors with tax strips. Like we gotta figure this out. Like, so then we, yeah. So then we were like, well, let's just cause we wanted to move some walls. So we were like, let's bring in a contractor to do, like, we got to get plumbing redone. We got to get like a lot of like big structural things kind of fixed. So let's bring in a contractor to help us, but we also don't have any money. So what are we going to do? So because our house, we bought it. So under like market value, there's a specific government loan that you can take out. And I am going to remember that I'm not going to remember the name now, but it's basically a loan that you can get from the government that says you can borrow up to 97% of what the house will be worth after you finish. So we brought someone in and they said, yeah, it's something like that. I wrote about it on my blog. I can, I can remember what it is. I'll put
Alex:it in the description. Oh,
Krystle:I feel like it'll come to me. Um, so we worked with a mortgage broker to do that, but it's like really specific the way that you'll do it. And because we were going to borrow like $90,000, we had to get like an independent, um, he's, he's a contractor, but he basically, his job was to come in to walk through the house and confirm that stuff was actually being done because we were taking the money. And so as the work is completed, they disperse the payments. So that brings us to trying to find a contractor for the job and, um, finding someone to work with us. Cause there's a lot of people that, you know, they don't want to work on a, as completed basis. They need, you know, a certain amount of upfront capital to get started. So I don't want to get too into the weeds because it was just a live, it was a literal nightmare, but we had a friend that was like, yeah, I'd love to work on it with. And the, we fronted him before the money from the loan started coming in probably like $20,000. Um, and then he also started getting paid as the disbursements kept coming in. Um, and the work just basically like was really, really slow. And the guy that we were working with kind of the independent person that was just to come in, like he really saved us because as much as we got screwed, like we would've got taken advantage of advantage of so much more had that guy, like not been involved in the process. So he was kinda like he would come through and he'd be like, oh, well, I can only like disperse this much because not very much has been done, but if you start a couple of things, I, next time I come like all disperse that too. So we did that a couple of times. And then finally it got to the point where I was like, I, at this point, like,
Alex:The clock's ticking
Krystle:a box ticking, the clock's ticking. And then at this point, it's like, I have the baby and our house is in shambles, like our housing
Alex:while it was like
Krystle:that before we had moved into the house, we renovated upstairs. And so we were also living here while all of this was going on, which I don't recommend to anybody, if they're going to do anything. Like if you can't afford to get an Airbnb and hire a contractor, work on your house, like don't do it. That's what I say to people. I'm like, don't do it. So we have the baby I'm literally in the hospital. Cause I ended up having a lot of complications after my delivery, where I'm back in the hospital for four days. And he's like, I need plumbing fixtures, like pick your plumbing fixtures. And I'm like in bed, like out of it, like what,
Alex:like the last thing on your
Krystle:mind, like I already, like, I have a new baby, like I'm sick. Like I can't. So fast forward, like we have the new baby, we bring them home to this house in like dust. It's a literal nightmare. I can't, it makes me too sad. And then, you know, come like July, we realized that like, this is not, it's not working. Nothing's moving. Like we've got to go. Like we have to cut our losses and like move on with our lives. Because at this point we've given him money. The loan has dispensed, you know, probably half, maybe like 40, like maybe 50 to 60% of the funds at this point. Like the house isn't moving, we have no kitchen. We haven't had a kitchen for almost a year. Like, we've just like, we like are both getting like really fat because we're just eating out all the time. I'm so glad that a baby only needs like milk to live at the first couple of years of life. Cause he was just so stressful. So finally. We got to go. And I call my friend, Zach, who I know him through music. He helped me with my album and I'm like, Zach, I know you work for like a contractor. Like please come to my house. Like I need help. And so he comes over to my house and he's like, shit, crystal, like, this is bad. And I'm like, I know because a contractor taking over a job in the middle is actually hard. Cause there's a lot of like liability involved, especially once you've done structural stuff. So finding a contractor to take on a job like that is actually kind of hard because they want their work to like be voucher and they don't know what's happening.
Alex:Well, something happens it's yeah. It's like, who's, everyone's going to point fingers at each other. It's like, I did it right at that person. Didn't do it right in the world. Already
Krystle:closed up walls have been removed at this point. Like my house is being held up with like temporary like stuff. So he comes over and then he calls Jose and Jose comes over and he's. Oh, geez. But Zach kinda like, cause he knows him and they like, so he basically does me like a huge favor and he says like, let's get this other contractor out of there. Um, like at one point I was just on Thumbtack, try to find people that would come and like, oh, sorry. That was my watch. Just Siri. Um, at one point I was like on Thumbtack, try to find people to just like show up at my house, like do stuff. It was like, it was so bad. And so Jose comes and he's like, let's get this. Like let's sunset him out of there. And at that point I wasn't talking to the other contractor anyway. Cause I was the one that had like the personal relationship with him. So my husband, Michael like took over all of that because not only did I have a newborn baby and I was like about ready to go back to work off like maternity leave. And that was the other thing, like I had unpaid maternity leave. So like we were strapped for cash, you know, like I wasn't working. It was like, we were like, and you're
Alex:adding, yeah, you're adding the baby, like a baby. And the finances like to pay for baby stuff. It
Krystle:was like diet. It was like dire straits. Like I, I think the only reason I didn't have like a full, like institutionalized mental breakdown is because I was just like so tired that you could only do like the next thing, you know, it was like, I couldn't think about everything that was happening. And a lot of people have asked, like how much money do you think you spent total? Like, and I honestly, I've never done the math because it's too. Scary. And I think it would send me into like a serious episode because I will just throw up, like, I'll feel like it's
Alex:in the past.
Krystle:Yeah. I'm just like, forget it. It's done. So then we get Jose he's on the job. He brings in structural engineers to make sure that all the work that's been done is okay to make sure that the house is fine. And he brings in, you know, all these people. So he gets involved and then things like start like cook it. Like he, we let go of the other contractor. And then we have a couple months of lag time because we have to wait for his crew to be available, to come and work. And then we have to wait for a structural engineer to come and give like the proper reports and stuff. And then October comes and they are just like, they're here every day. Things are moving. Like he's being so nice. And that he knows that I'm like now in like an obsessive, like crazy person state. So like when people aren't showing up, he's like, just listen. No, one's going to be at the house today. I know that might seem alarming, but we're waiting on XYZ. So like, whatever
Alex:communication is so awesome and stuff
Krystle:like that. Yeah. I don't, I'm just like, oh, and the cool, the cool thing is, is because, you know, at that point I'm like getting ready to go back to work. Like I'm seeing all these people doing all this work, like I'm seeing like professionals like get into the nitty-gritty of all this stuff. And like, honestly, I'm like that doesn't look that hard. Like I can do this. I know I get, so I'm like watching other people do all this stuff. It's so cool. And then we, for the other like little portion of the loan that's left, they are like, it has to be done. Like you've had so many extensions. Like if you don't get it done by December 31st, 2019, like you're, you don't get that. So that really lit a fire under everybody. And we started just blasting through things. And I think we had the kitchen countertops template ID on the 23rd of December. And then they came back and they installed them on the 30th of December. And then we had the final walkthrough on the 31st. So it was like all this stuff. So it ended up that like, he ended up getting the rest of the money from the loan and then we also had to pay him additional money, um, to like get everything done. That's why we don't talk about how much it cost. Cause it just makes me sick. So they're like, ah, like, oh, that seems pretty good that you renovated your like whole house for 90 K on the loan. I'm like, wouldn't that be nice if that was the truth? Yeah. And I think, and I think part of it was that the person that we were working with the niche initially had very unrealistic ideas about what they could accomplish for the budget. And I did get some other estimates because that's something that I always tell everybody, no matter what work they're doing, like you've got to get multiple bids on everything. And I got multiple bids and the numbers were too high for what I wanted to do. So this is a big learning experience. Like all the way around is like, you know, Tommy who quoted me$165,000 to do what I wanted to do was probably right. Because that's probably where we net it out anyway, you know? So it's just one of those things. It's like a huge, huge learning experience. And that's something that I hope that I can help people do on my platform. I probably don't talk about it enough, but I did have some friends recently who they wanted to replace all the windows in their house. And he told me that he only got one bid and I was like, are you kidding me? Like, that's all I talk about on my channel. And he's like, okay, okay. You'll find, we'll get some extra booze. I'm like, yes, you will. Thank you very much.
Alex:I think so. I think some people are afraid to do it because of like the negotiations, like stage of like, okay, whatever. I just want. Um, but it's so important. I've always heard. Cause I worked for a construction company before I quit my job to do this, but I was just like an engineer. So I was just like, I would just walk around and see, you know, like subcontractors, sling, drywall. Like it was nothing, um, tile, an entire bathroom in like a day, not even a day and a half, like a day. And I was just like, I could do that. And then I started doing it. I was like, oh, maybe it's a lot harder.
Krystle:Maybe it's harder than I thought it was, but I could, I could maybe get there.
Alex:Yeah, exactly. That's exactly how it was. But they always told us that if, cause we had to bid out the projects for subcontractors, they were like the lowest bidder. Like you almost always just want to, unless you know them or. Like someone that knows him that can outrun him. You almost want to knock them off right away. The highest one might be too high. The middle one is usually like the one you want to go, where do you want to go with generally? But yeah, that, that sounds like a disaster, but it was, I loved how you turned it into. So talk about how you started kind of turning that into your passion and basically turning it into your full-time job and getting everything you wanted.
Krystle:Yeah. So let's get to the silver lining in this nightmare. Let's get to the silver lining. So it's horrible. It's really, really bad. And we get the house done. And then at that point it's just bare bones, right? Like we were just getting the house livable, like a kitchen and floors and we were happy. So now fast forward, it's the beginning of 2020. And I'm back at my job and I'm hating. My life. This is before COVID. This is before COVID. This is January of 2020 before the
Alex:mysterious.
Krystle:So I'm back at work. Um, and we don't have like a lot of furniture, like none of like the cool trim out stuff is done. It's basically like we got the kitchen in, we got the floors in, we it's livable at this point. So there's nothing like, that's cool. That's happened at this point. So I start kind of tackling small projects, um, at night, but I don't have a ton of time. And at this point in the journey, I had been documenting a lot of like the renovation and stuff on like my personal Instagram account for like friends and family. But I'm like, well at, you know, at, into September I had decided like, I guess we'll start posting it. Like the before and afters are kind of fun. I'll start, I'll start a new Instagram count and just start posting it over there. So I had done that and I'd always liked making stuff. And I went back to work and I felt like I didn't have a ton of time, but I also felt like, oh, like, I get a lot of joy out of like being creative and all that stuff. And after like this horrendous, like year long saga after having a baby, like all that stuff, I was like, whoa, I forgot. Like what I like to do, you know? So I'm back at work. I'm hating my life, Michael. And I literally made like a sheet, like, okay, what w what do I need to do to quit my job? Okay. Like, we're way financially underwater right now. So I've got to go back to work, but like, if I could get a new job, what would be the things that I think would be really cool working with my hands on the list. I love doing that stuff. Like, what could I do? Like, oh, if I could just work in like a ceramic studio all day, like, that'd be amazing. Okay, great. That's at the top of the list. And then the second thing is like, no commute. Like at this point I'm commuting an hour to, and from work every day. Um, so those are kind of like the two things that are really detracting from my quality of life. And the third thing is, is I was in like a client service. In advertising, of course, which is like a cool creative field. But like at the end of the day, my job was like more strategic and more, you know, working with the clients, which, um, I don't like talking to people that much, to be honest, like that's not, that's not what feels, so it fills me up as a person. Like if I'm just working on stuff like alone all day, I feel good. You know? So all those things and then work, like how can I quit my job? Like how much money do we need? Like, could I find a new job? Like, we're just exploring all these options. We've got a Google doc going, we've got a whole whiteboard situation. Like, what are we going to do to change our life here? Our son is like going to daycare every day. He's like a tiny baby in daycare. And I'm like a new mom. Who's like losing her mind over it. And then it's like February and everyone's like, oh, this thing, this thing is happening, you know, like what's going on. And then it's March and I'm in the office and I'm like, should we be here? Are we going to work from home? Like, what's happening? Like, what are we doing? And then we get like the work from home, the work from home. And then we pull our kid out of daycare because we don't know what's going on. And so all of a sudden, a lot of my clients, their budgets dry up because they don't know what's going on. Like everything just so unclear. So then I'm just getting paid to like, be at home with my baby. I'm like, this has pretty nice. This is pretty good. So I'm doing like maybe 10, 15 hours of work a week because I just don't have that much work to do which so lucky, so nice. And then my husband and I were both at home, so then we're like tag teamy baby duty. And then so all of a sudden I'm like, I have free time to like do stuff again. This is amazing. So I started doing like little projects here and there I start chronicling I'm on, you know, Instagram primarily. And then like, I've always had a blog. So I started blogging like a little bit more, like I've had a blog for like the last 15 years or whatever, since I was in college. When is that? 15 years? No, that's like 10 years ago. So it was like 10 years ago, you know? So I just start writing like DIY content and like do it yourself. And then I actually, there is like, I think this is like, at this point it's like June, like we still been at home, it's unclear what's happening. The budgets for my clients are still dried up and I have, uh, this, this woman reached out to me on Instagram and be like, Hey, I see what you're doing. Like, it seems really cool. Like, do you want to join like this group of like 10 to 15 other like women that are like interior designers and small business owners, like, we're all trying to do stuff. So this is Nicole, she runs bento rug studio. Um, so I joined that and we just all start like hyping each other up, like, yes, like so cool. And I do like my first, like build DIY where me and my friend Annalise, like do a build over a weekend and then share each other's products. I'm like, this is cool. Like, and then it starts like gaining some momentum, you know? So it takes a long time to hit like that first thousand followers. Um, but then after that, it starts to ramp up pretty quickly and. I'm realizing that, um, you know, then at that point, cause everyone's like kind of like COVID sick at that point. My clients were like, oh, well we do have to spend budget. And then I'm all of a sudden working again, like a normal, you know, 50, 60 advertising hour workweek, but still at home. And so I'm just like fitting in the projects at lunch. I'm fitting in the projects after work. Like I'm trying to make all of that happen and it's really fun and I'm loving it and I'm growing. And I hit like 10,000 followers, I think in like December. And then my account really blows up in January, February, March of the next year. Um, and I'm like, I think I can do this. Like I think if I don't have to devote like 50 or 60 hours a week to advertising, like I think that I can make the, I could turn this into something. And Michael's like, okay, like he's very supportive. He's like, all right. Like if you think you could do it, like, let's try it. Let's go for it. So, yeah, so we like put some money away knowing that my income will get a little bit weird. And then we also decided to go to Denmark because my husband's Danish and we haven't seen his family for, at this point, like almost two years. So I quit my job in April and then we moved to Denmark for 10 weeks. And then when I get back in July, I just like, I punch it and I'm like, let's do this. So like, I went to Haven, which was fun. I didn't love like cut the conference environment, but like I met some good connections while I was there. Um, and then I started, I think I landed my first brand deal at that point and I felt really excited. And then it just kept growing and I got on Tik TOK, which I should have done sooner, but that's how it goes for everybody. And that's just kinda how it is. And I feel like I'm always like it's it's house projects. It's home decor. DIY is it's those small DIY guys. And then it's just. Anything else? I feel like sharing
Alex:just like the personal, like the lifestyle. Funny, like you have mixed out of that and a little bit got like the Stanley cups, then
Krystle:it's funny how I was just gonna say on Tik TOK. It's like, I feel like I can almost be more myself on Tik TOK than I could be on Instagram, but tic talks there, the views are just much more like volatile in terms of like what you're going to get eyeballs on, which is just, it's been an interesting platform to navigate for sure. That's
Alex:what makes it difficult to, for, for brand deals. Um, you know, like, cause I started gaining my initial phone. I had Instagram and take dive, but kind of getting the initial filing on Tik TOK and then starting to kind of prioritizing Instagram as well. Uh, but learning how to navigate good brand deals and good brand videos. It's difficult because on Instagram, you know, even if you don't make the most captivating reel ever is still gonna get shown. A decent portion of your following, whereas tic-tac you could have, like, I remember one time I had, at one point I had like 140,000 on Tik TOK. This was last Memorial day weekend. So literally a year ago and I posted it sponsored posts. Yeah. I didn't know as much as I did now about how to create content. And it was like 2000 views and I was like, oh, this is not good.
Krystle:It's not the same.
Alex:Yeah. And that's when I was like, okay, I really like AFT to put in a lot of effort and thinking about how you're going to create a video. Cause it's almost like followers, aren't the same as they are in Instagram where they're not seeing all your content or you're not, you know, if it's a video flops, like it's going to show to like 1% of your following,
Krystle:if that. Yeah. And I think it's interesting on Instagram because it has kind of those two touch planes. It has the stories, which is a little bit, you know, stripped back a little bit more revealing. And then you have the videos, which are the more polished, especially for the DIY niche, for example, you know, like here's the final thing. And on Tik TOK, you know, they really crave that kind of, you know, that, wow, like here's the final thing, here's the project. But I think in the DIY niche, you lose a little bit of that behind the scenes, like authenticity piece, you know, because I think there's kind of like two types of creators on Tik TOK, the ones where they're the lifestyle creators and people are just obsessed with them on like a personal level, you know, and you see really high engagement across those accounts because they have kind of like that Colt obsession following. Right. And for the DIY niche, it doesn't necessarily fall into that category. So if you, I I'm like, I wish I'm like, how could I, how could I hybrid the two of them together? You know, like how can I get people like obsessed with me as well as also liking my DOI content? Cause it feels like you kind of have to do one or the other. But I think it's just, the platforms are just different. It'll be interesting to see how, you know, both kind of evolve and stuff, but then some, and it's really interesting. Cause I feel like my smaller DIY is on Instagram do very, very well, but the smaller DIY is on Tik TOK. Like they don't
Alex:love forums. They like the big stuff. Like that's what that's, what is funny. Cause they're so polar opposite. Like if I have one video going viral on Tik TOK, you'd think it would translate, but it really doesn't like and vice versa. Um, and I find that I'll take there. It's constantly craving like a big project, whereas Instagram, that's not the case. And that's why I'm one of my good friends, Andrew at home by am, I think is his Instagram. He me one time, a couple months ago and was like, Hey, like how do you feel about Instagram in general? Like, should I be prioritizing Tik TOK more? Or. And I was like, honestly, like I had a bigger following on Tik TOK. I would want to have like 150,000 on Tik TOK. And like, I didn't really post anything on Israel had like 700 followers and I started prioritizing Israel. Cause I was like, I love the fact of the stories of being able to show up every day, not have all this super polished content. Um, being able to show who you are as a person and actually connecting with people. Whereas tic-tac even when you get comments, like it's hard to you. Can't really like, you know, having that connection with them. Cause there's no DMS on Tik TOK unless you're following each other. Yeah. There's no way to create a connection. I was like this just, I dunno, it doesn't have the same feel. I feel like it's Instagram. So I was like until Tik TOK figures that out and I don't think they will. Um, I know they're trying to do their own little story thing, but I was like, I don't think it will ever have that. It's that same feel as Instagram does with the close community.
Krystle:And I don't even have Tik TOK stories yet, so I don't even know really. I thought I went to everyone. No, I don't have it still. Everyone else has that. And I'm like, cool.
Alex:Yeah. It's so weird how they do that because it makes zero sense, but it's, I don't know. I posted on it like twice. Some other people are like, enjoy it more. I don't know. It's just, it also gets
Krystle:to be a lot. I don't know if this is the same case for you, but just be a lot of people have kind of more behind the scenes help, but like truly I'm the only one that does anything I did sign on with management later. Like, or like how long have I been with them now? Like last year, I guess, like in the fall. So I signed with management, so that helps a lot. So that, and then they negotiate like my brand deals and like pitch and stuff. For me, that's been like really, really nice to have if I plate. But aside from that, you know, previously I was doing all. Plus all of like the video editing the pictures, like the talent, like all of the things
Alex:and actually doing the stuff
Krystle:I'm like, I don't know. I have, I still people are like, well, well, how do you plan your content? This is something that my glass me all the time, he was like, I think we got to get you like a content calendar. He's like, where are you writing all this stuff down? I'm like, it's all up here, baby. Like I am so I'm like really bad. It was just hilarious. Cause I used to be like, my entire job was like making sure that like all the T's were crossed and I's dotted, but now I'm just kind of like this, like I guess I've always been a true creative at heart Benin. I don't like to plan anything. You know,
Alex:you have to brand deals and stuff all the time. You know, cause usually I'll post my first story around
like 10:00 AM on Instagram. And I was like, what you don't see as I've been up since six, responding to emails for two to three hours and creating that video that took you 45 seconds to watch, but took me three hours to edit and make the cash. And info's now I was like, yeah, I'll like basically work from like six to like six 30, like way more than I used to at my normal job.
Krystle:I love it. You have to, it's like you have to do, like, I haven't taken a day off in a couple of weeks. It's like, it's, it's a totally different job. Like it's way flexible, which is really, really nice. And you get to do stuff that you're way more passionate about, but I am working more now. Than I ever did it, like my nine to five. And it was funny. Cause I went to Haven last year, which was really cool. Cause it was my first kind of entry into, I'd always known like the backside of it, like how advertising works in a nutshell, you know, but the social media piece of it, how do you grow? How do you create those like authentic things? And I went to a class on Instagram stories by, um, Philip or flop and basically he was talking about how he edits his story content. And every time you show up to his stories, you're getting like action packed, very value-driven content. Like his views are at 25 to 30% of his following. Anytime he posts on stories, which is just wild, you know? So after Haven I got really in my head and I was like, ah, 25 to 30%, like how do I get there? Yeah. Um, and I think it's just a difference from creator to creator, you know, like how you're going to show up for your audience and what they're going to expect for you. So like, after that experience where he was saying like, Hey, every time you're showing up on stories, it is value packed. Like, whoa, I got really in my head and I was like, I can't ever just get on and talk to people about anything. Like I can't do it. And so I had, I struggled for a little bit and I think it's better now. I've gotten a couple of DMS and like the last couple of weeks. Uh, it feels like, it feels like it used to, when I felt like I got to talk to you more, like, it feels more authentic, it feels more real. And I'm like, oh, okay. It's all. It's just, it just depends on who you are as a creator. Like whether it feels, cause I love seeing your intros every morning and I'm like, do I, do I like, do I need an intro? Like, do I need to like up my like video game? I'm like, it's just, it depends on how you want to show up what you want to do. And then people just get accustomed to expect what it is. Right. So you're training your audience for what to expect from you, you know? So it just depends on how you kind of want to move forward. And so I'm always, I'm always thinking about that. I'm like, how am I going to crack this code? But I just, I don't know if there is a code to crack
Alex:really. Yeah. And I think it's just everyone finds their style. Cause I used to see other people's styles and you know, try to imitate them. And I've had a couple of people message me and I was like, Hey, can I use kind of your similar, uh, Why you create your day, day, one, day, two videos with that same font, I was like, go for it. Like it was like, I, and I'm like telling them advice. I'm like, I use InShot to edit, like, this is what I do and try to like, plan the texts. And I was like, you know, everyone just finds their style and stuff like that. And I think that's, once you feel like you found it, then it's just, it's like relieving because it takes like the pressure and you're just yourself. And I love personally, I love when you just chat, like one of my favorite things, like it was a terrible thing to happen, but I would love if you could talk about the car crash part. Oh yeah. Cause that was like, you were hilarious about it, a home, your stories and just like where you were going. It was just so on brand.
Krystle:Well, it was just, it was the most ridiculous things I had been working on that office project for what felt like to me and attorney. And then I got in one small accident and they took my car for like two weeks, which fine. I can still get like what, but then I'm literally on the way to home Depot again. And someone just like slams into the back of my car. I'm like, I'm curse. Like I am literally curse. Like this project is curse. I am curse. Every time I go to home Depot, I'm curves, like this is bad. And so they took my car and then I was also like going to like physical therapy is literally a nightmare. Cause they're like, look up, look down. I'm like, this is such a waste of my time. Like, oh my gosh. So it was just one of those things where I basically took like three weeks off. And then, you know, my lawyer is like, I'll explain loss of income. I'm like, uh, I have a really weird job. Like it's really hard,
Alex:impossible to explain.
Krystle:Like, and all of the brands that I've been working with were so accommodating, like, yes, take as much time as you need. Like, so they just pushed back brand partnerships, but it's like that obviously. You know, takes away the opportunity for partnerships in the future. Cause I've still got other brand partnerships that I've got to like work on in the meantime. So it was just like, it was such a dumb thing. And I was just like sitting on the couch for like a week with a heat, like a heating pad thinking like, oh, like this is the worst thing that's ever happened to me. But it obviously, I was very lucky. Nothing really happened to me and nobody else was in the car. So it was just like, it was just, yeah, just one of those freak things where like, and the first time I backed into somebody, but I would like the record to reflect that the second time was in no way. My, like I was not at fault in any way, because I was talking to Michael about it because he, I think since we've been together and we've been together almost 11 years now, he's never been in any sort of like car situation. And I, I call him, I get in an accident. Like I just know you're going to say that I am bad at driving and all this stuff. He's like crystal, like let's. Calm down. Like, let's talk about like, where, where are you right now? Like where are you? Cause he was out of town. He was out of town. He was on a business trip. So that was this that's
Alex:frustrating, but
Krystle:I have my car back. Finally. It feels so happy about that. I
Alex:know. And just the fact that you're going to home Depot is just like the icing on the cake. I know. I love home
Krystle:Depot. They're so good to me. They're so good to me. So yeah,
Alex:I used to be like team lows. And then recently I've been team home Depot. I know it's very region by region and city by city or specific, but my Lowe's used to be like really good. And now like, I guess I, the reason I think I liked Lowe's initially was it felt less intimidating. Like I felt when I first started the
Krystle:whole that's their whole thing. Like that's the big differentiator like Lowe's is for like the person that's like doing their self and then home Depot is more like contractor. Like that's where the contractor yeah.
Alex:Exactly. And so now that I feel like I know what I'm talking about more, I'm more confident asking very specific questions when I would go to Lowe's. But like, I don't mean to slight anyone that's, you know, high school that has a job or whatever, but it almost felt like I was talking to, you know, some kid that, you know, was a senior in high school, like, you know, just had a job to have a job, which power to them. But, you know, I'd ask them a very specific question cause they're in the plumbing aisle, in the plumbing aisle and they have no idea what they're talking about. And I would go to home Depot and it would be this like retired contractor that is like seven years old, but just loves this stuff so much that he's like, you know, I want to get out of the house and go help some people. Oh no.
Krystle:Oh man, that reminds me. I just had the thought. My dad is actually, he usually travels for work, but he's going to be here for the next three weeks. I need to get that guy over here so we can fix my back. To text him after this. There you go. Because he's like, he's always my entire life. My dad was going to home Depot. He's like, it's time to go to the Depot. Let's go. You know, so my entire life, I was always familiar with the store and I always see these girls post these videos of like men being mean to them at hardware stores. It's never happened to me in my home Depot. I don't know if it's like the look that I have. Like, I'm just like very focused or like, whatever, but like nobody bothers me when I'm there. And I really appreciate that.
Alex:Yeah. Cause I've, I've definitely seen a couple of viral videos, especially on Tik TOK where, you know, the guys just assume. And sometimes, you know, I forget if it was like Angela, I think I might, might've been Angela Rose posted one. Um, the guy wasn't bad. Like a lot of people came at me in the comments because I commented something like you shouldn't ever have to go through that. Like that's bullshit or whatever. And a lot of people then came at me and were like, what are you talking about? Like that, that guy was like coming out like a good place where his heart like. And I was like, the reason he was asking her to help her was because he assumed that she couldn't pick up like a one by six by eight, you know, she's a grown woman. Like they would've never, they wouldn't have been, even asked a 12 year old. Well, maybe they would've asked a 12 year old, but it was very obvious that, you know, the only reason he asked if she needed help was cause she was a woman. And I was like, that's not right. She needed help. Of course she could
Krystle:ask me. Yeah.
Alex:I'm you know, but that's just mine, but this was amazing. I do want to hit you with a couple of fire questions and then, um, we'll close it out. I'll let you get crystal has a talk with the New York times, actually for, for their Stanley cup. She married, she reps a water bottle. Is it just called? Stan was like, what is the website? Is, is Stanley
Krystle:Stanley 1913 is like their, uh, their thing. And it's just so funny. Hopefully I'm crossing my fingers. I can work with them on like a brand level soon.
Alex:So I feel like they have to, you've probably gotten them.
Krystle:And it's just so funny. Cause I obviously talk about Stanley cup in my stories all the time, but it's really like once the NFL, like the NHL, dueted my video on Tik TOK. I was like, people were like, hello. So you know about the salary cap. I'm like, yes I do. I have seven of them. Which, what else would you
Alex:like to talk about?
Krystle:Exactly. And I think that just speaks to as a content creator, just like share the stuff that you like, because you never know. I think, you know, especially when I started and when I started getting brand deals, it felt like, oh, well I'll only talk about a brand. If they're paying me. But like, that's such a, I think too, it's like that scarcity mindset, you know, when you get into like a scarcity mindset as a creator, I think it, it shows in your stories and like you talking about like sharing with other content creators, like when people ask you questions, like what people DM me and they asked me like, how much, like, how much should they pay you for that? I'll tell you, like, I, as long as I have don't have an NDA in place, like, I think there's so much to be said about just having that, like giving mentality. It's like, just share the stuff. Create good community with people, share your knowledge with people because all of that stuff is just going to come back to you full circle. Like I really,
Alex:a thousand percent, that was one of the more frustrating things and I won't name names, but there was a couple of people on Tik TOK that I kinda looked up to as I was growing. And I saw that they worked with Wagner paint sprayers, and they had reached out to me. So I asked a creator because you know, it was like, we're all home. It was like, we're cool. We're, it's almost like we're not fighting against the brand. It's not like a war, but like, you know, the brands talk and they know what they're charging all the glass. Meanwhile, if we talk, I hope you're getting more than me because that means I can charge more. If I know I'm getting more than you, then I'm no I'm capped out on cake. And so I was just like, and they, you know, they were like, oh, I don't want to tell you type thing. And I was like, that's kinda mess up. And then I was happy to find that like 90% of the time, if I asked the creator, you know, it's always been like, Good. We've talked about it very open and it's reciprocated, and I think it's just helpful. It's definitely not something you can Google, which is frustrating.
Krystle:Yeah. I know there are some platforms that are trying, like Clara is one that's relatively new where people will input how much they're getting paid for a specific type of stuff. But I also think that, you know, people assume that if they share like their brand contact or whatever, like there's not going to be enough work to go around. Like there are thousands of home decor brands in every single shape or form like, and I, and you know, it's just like barely scratching. The surface is like there's. So, and someone who worked on the backside of advertising, there's so much money. Like there's so much money, like the amount of money that we spent on doing like some social ads that I could whip out now in a day for like, you know, whatever. Yeah, it didn't make you throw up. Like, it really would like the money is going to just start siphoning and moving more and more into all of this like short form video media. So it's was like, just, just start making stuff. And if you don't have a brand that wants to work with you, just find something you're excited about and make something. Cause I promise you it will lead to stuff or your skills will get better because the money is just going to shift more and more and more and more away from like these traditional mediums. Like people aren't going to be spending $50,000, $50,000, LOL$750,000 to go out and create, you know, a couple of TV spots. They're going to funnel that all into creators. And you think about how far, you know, $750,000 could go for a whole brand to content creators to create like digital content, like the money's there, you know, like I just think just, yeah, it's it's
Alex:it's there. When I made the decision to quit my job, one of the first people we told was Kylie's grandparents and trying to explain it was hilarious. They were so supportive, but, um, yeah, but I was explaining, I was like, listen, like even just as much as a few years ago, before really Netflix and Hulu, it became a thing. TV commercials were a big deal because you just sit during a TV commercial, you didn't have your phone, social media really to like distract yourself on. But I was like, now what happens? There's no more TV commercials. Cause you're probably paying for Netflix or whatever. If there is, what are you doing when that commercial comes up and even like highs, grammar, grandma was like, oh, I go on my phone. I go on Facebook, whatever. I'm like, exactly. So that's where the money's going to go. There's going to go wherever the eyes are. And so that's why I was like, they are very much on the train and kind of seeing that it's already started. And it's just like,
Krystle:yeah, it's like, we're still at the beginning. You know, like we are at the beginning of what it looks like to be a content creator. What digital media. Everyone at some point is going to have some level of like internet fame, you know, basically with the trajectory of the way things go. And it'll be really interesting to watch. I'm excited about it
Alex:immediate as well. All right. Well, I did want to end this with a few just quick questions. You can talk as long as you want, or just quick, quick rate or whatever you want. Um, so my first one to you is in terms of a project or you test the waters, do a bunch of research or you just dive straight in and deep end.
Krystle:I usually just dive in and then when I mess up all Google, why I'm messed up and start again,
Alex:start over again. And then, then you just start going back and forth and then start nitpicking a little bit. Yeah. It prevents you from being. And just like going after it.
Krystle:And I feel like I can just kind of tell the way things fit together. Like the waste was word, and I've also consumed so much content at this point that inevitably I've probably seen someone do it at one point. So I just kind of assumed that I can also do it, but I also will always do something incorrectly and have to like pivot back and redo it. And that's just,
Alex:it doesn't matter how many times I've done something. I will mess something up and that's
Krystle:okay. I used to get frustrated by that, but now I just accepted as part of the process and try and move forward.
Alex:Okay. Um, most rewarding project of yours so far, and it could be decor. It could be a transformation.
Krystle:I think most like rewarding project I did was probably my studio upstairs. Just cause that felt very difficult. Like it was my first like woodworking. Uh, like doing something unique with PVC, creating a spot where I could work on my
Alex:business.
Krystle:We're gonna like work on my business, like have it come to like full circle, like fruition. So that was probably the most gratifying. And so now I can like film up there, which is really, really nice because I used to have to film and then hide it all for my toddler. And now I can like work on projects over multiple days, which is really, really nice.
Alex:Nice. Okay. Last one. Number one, excuse people tell themselves on why they can't start DIY, whether it's decor big projects, whatever it is.
Krystle:Uh, the number one excuse I get from people is time. That's the number one. They're like, I don't have time. I don't have time. I don't have. And I just, I'm a firm believer that you make the time for the things that are important to you. And so I am in a very luxurious situation now where a DIY is what I get to do for my job. But before that, there was a year where I was working a full nine to five and then DIY at nights and on the weekends, you know, so you, if there's something that you want to do, like break it into small little chunks, like tackle 15 minutes a day, a 15 minutes is too much tackle five minutes. Like it's hard to make the time for it, but if it's important to you, you've just got to do it. So that's like the number one things that, that people say to me and I'm like, you can do it. I promise you the time is there,
Alex:especially if it comes from all, like for me, the reason why I got into is one, um, frugalness slash cheapness, or not wanting to pay someone number two, like the actual, like. Not business. I put low knowing I'm putting money into my home. That makes my home value more. When I rent it or sell it down the road, assuming I do it correctly. And then the last part was like the creativity side. Like I, and like the, like the pride of like, I did this. And so I would give up weekends, um, here and there. And I would wake up at five, 6:00 AM, go before work, work on a bookshelf or whatever I was doing. Cause I like it. It was my outlet. Like it felt, it didn't feel like work. And that's when I realized I was like, if I could do this every day, I would. And that's where I kind of just manifest. I was like, I'm going to keep doing this and posting until I can. Similar as
Krystle:I love that. Yeah. I echo a lot of what you just said, you know? And now that I do do this, full-time now it's like, okay, well what's just for me. So like the only thing that I have left that's only for myself is I read a lot and I don't post it out ever. Like keep track of what I read. I just like allow myself to just like read and move on with my life. Um, which is kind of like the only hobby that I haven't monetized at this point
Alex:to have the bookshelf.
Krystle:That is true, but it's not like specifically that it is funny though, because my husband started the Tik TOK channel all about like the books that he reads and stuff. Cause I read a lot, but he reads even more than I do. And it's just been so fun to like, I don't know anything about books, sock. I don't know anything about like the book niche. And so it's been really fun to helping him grow his channel, which has been, I like, I I'm like, oh, should I get
Alex:into the channel
Krystle:consultant? Uh, his handle right now is called Michael Perkins intern. Cause we joke that he's like the intern for Perkins on Parkway. Um, but I, I think he should change it to something else, but we just haven't got that far yet. So
Alex:that's so funny because Kylie jokingly, when I officially made like the LLC and got like my business, so. Um, I put her as a single member LLC, and I kind of put her as an employee just so she can have a card. So like, if she was out, I was like, here's a card. Like if I ever need you to pick something up, like use this. So it goes business cap. So now I joke that she's like my employee and I'm like, did you like pick up the thing? Like, so now we have a back and forth. So when I'll ask her questions, like, what do you think of this? Like, what should I do? She was like, I don't know. Maybe if you pay me more as your employee, maybe I'll tag. That's
Krystle:always what Michael says. Cause he's always like, oh, I'm just waiting for you to blow up. So, and I will say that's another thing that's really nice about like having a spouse that has a day job. Obviously health insurance, I get from his job. And then the stability too, because getting paid as a content creator is so volatile. You know, people have like net 30, 60, 90, you know, and then all the time they're late. Anyway. So just like having that, like stable income was a huge deciding factor. So he's always like, oh, I can't wait for you to blow up. I'm like, but I like, I like you working here. I don't know if I want you to work for me because then it all depends on me. And I don't like that.
Alex:Yeah. It's a lot more pressure. I was talking to my buddy Dawson. You may have seen him. And he was like asking like how I was, you know, made the jump to the, do the leap of faith and stuff and just do it. And he, you know, he doesn't have a spouse, so it's like, you know, He was like, I literally can't potentially couldn't pay my bills. And he was like, I'm not saying I wouldn't be able to maybe make enough money, but just the volatile part of it, he was like, I don't know if I could handle that. I was like, I don't blame.
Krystle:Yeah. I don't blame you. It's it would be one of those things where you'd have to have like six months of savings. I think if it was me personally making the jump without kind of like a backup like that, it would be like six months of savings. That way I could live, if the brand is like gapped or whatever, didn't come in. And then, you know, this lovely country of ours, the health insurance situation, that gets a little sticky too.
Alex:So yeah. Yes. I don't need to get started on that, but I'm lucky she's a second grade teacher. So I
Krystle:unfortunately, that and good work. My mom is also a teacher. I have a warm place in my heart for all teachers. I think they are so
Alex:undervalued. Like the last two years have been a shit show. Like I've gotten to see her teach from home, but obviously for the first year, And I was like, bless her. So like hearing the kids. Yeah. It was like, I don't know how you do this. And then I was just teachers appreciation week. So I just dropped off, um, some like flowers and like Starbucks and stuff. And, um, I was just like talking to like a printer principal, like came up to me. She was really nice. I was just like, I don't know how you guys do this. Like, I just wanted to let you know, like, it is like, you guys are doing the good guys are training. Exactly, exactly. But yeah, that's all I had. Um, did you have anything before we jump off? No,
Krystle:I don't think so. I just want to say thank you so much for inviting me to be on the podcast. I'm a huge fan of your content. So it felt like an honor. Thank you.
Alex:No, it's an honor to have you on here. I appreciate it. Now. Episode number 10, a milestone,
Krystle:my like favorite number in the whole
Alex:world. It actually is mine
Krystle:as well. So there's I was born. I was born October 10th, so my whole life it's been like 10, 10, 10 has been like the next.
Alex:I love that. Well, it was fitting then. Yeah. Well, I really appreciate it, crystal. Again, you can follow her at Perkins on Parkway, Instagram. Tic-tac go check out all the stuff we talked about. You can find like the PVC pipe wall is one of the coolest projects I've seen. Um, she talks about her contractor journey and she's really awesome. Shoot her a DM. If you have any questions, I'm sure she
Krystle:would. I try and answer all of my ideas. So if you have a question, let me know.
Alex:Cool. Well, awesome. Thanks again, crystal. And until next time. All right. That was amazing. I was really excited to get crystal on the podcast for many reasons, but the huge reason was because so much of it has been about DIY, but I've been saying it on plenty of the other episodes. Sometimes you need to know your limits and you need to hire out contractors. So I knew a little bit of the backstory on Crystal's contractor conundrum, as you might say. So I really wanted to bring her in just to touch on that. And I think she gave us so much great insight on. Staying away from family, friends when it comes to contractors to getting multiple bids, um, it just navigating that whole relationship because it's a whole new ball game, uh, especially when you have a baby as well. Uh, that that's just insane, but she really is truly an inspiration. Uh, she dialed in on what she loved and what she wanted to manifest and she just made it happen. So if you're looking to become a DIY creator or do anything in life, I think crystal is just an amazing, amazing role model. So thank you crystal for that, just an absolute incredible episode. Um, again, as I always say, if you're able to rate this podcast, whether it's apple, Spotify, wherever you listen, um, if you can rate it, give it a good rating, that would be amazing. It goes a long way. Um, and just helping me find other people in the DIY community, um, and just making our community that much stronger. Uh, thank you guys for listening. Thank you for being here and until episode 11