HOLLANDALE — When shopping for furniture, what you see is usually what you get. For a new business in Hollandale, that’s just not the case.

Stephanie and Travis Winter run the southern Minnesota division of 1-800-BunkBed, a national custom design woodworking business that is run by craftsmen out of their own homes. The company aims to help local woodworkers start their own business with local products, with the craftsmen receiving the profits. The Winters said the company is a good one to start with and has been extremely helpful along the way with marketing and other aspects.

The Winters, while still offering the custom bunkbed designs, have branched off into other types of products since starting their branch of the business in March. Some of the other custom pieces they offer are Adirondack chairs, Ottomans, garden planters and benches, among others. They’re open to any design or type of furniture that customers may be looking for.

“Everyone’s looking for something different, and we can do just about anything as far as woodworking goes,” said Stephanie.

Travis has a background in carpentry and construction, and started building the pieces in the family’s garage, which is now a makeshift woodshop. He got started on the business after an injury at his construction job limited his hours to part-time until he’s fully-recovered. He, along with his wife, hope that the woodworking business will eventually be his full-time job.

“He really has a fine-tuned attention to detail,” Stephanie said about her husband. “He’s usually pickier than the customers most of the time.”

Stephanie grew up watching and helping her father, another carpenter, and helps Travis in the shop as well. She also lends her creative eye to the pieces after Travis has constructed them. She’s experimented with different wood stains and different design ideas to give each piece its own look. She wants to be able to work from home so that she can look after her sons without the added cost of day care and gas but still contribute to the community and local economy.

“It works for us,” she said. “It’s something we both love.”

While the business has steadily been picking up after a slow first month, the couple said the biggest challenge is getting their name out there. So far, most of their marketing has come from word of mouth and from Facebook. Stephanie also plans to be at farmers markets in both Albert Lea and Austin to promote the business.

The business currently assembles and delivers orders to customers within the Blue Earth, Martin, Faribault, Watonwan, Waseca and Freeborn counties, but will work with customers outside of those areas as well. The Winters have had orders from as far north as the Twin Cities and as far south into parts of Iowa so far.

For customers within the six-county area, the Winters can be reached by calling 1-800-BunkBed. Customers outside of those counties can reach the Winters by calling 507-889-8013, otherwise they’ll be directed to a different bunk bed territory if they call the 1-800 number. The Winters can also be reached through their business’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/beautifulbunkbeds.

The Winters, originally from the Faribault area, have lived in Hollandale for about a year and a half. They live there with their sons Ryan, 10, and Ambrose, 3. Both sons seem to be following in the parents’ footsteps. Travis built Ryan a workbench, and Stephanie said both boys love to watch their father in the workshop.

“They want to be like Dad, play with tools and make things,” she said.

Stephanie said the couple’s long-term goal for the business is to be able to pass it onto their children one day, and to keep it in the family while growing it into their own business with their own name.

“I want to build something for my family to share.”