I'm not really sure why I wrote "Us" when really it's just me making sawdust.  I'm actively employed in law enforcement and took an interest in woodworking several years ago as a hobby. Ultimately, I started off wanting to create a wooden blanket box/chest for my wife as a gift.  Although I had some basic skills that I had learned through Industrial Arts way back in high school and general knowledge I had acquired through many years of life experience, I wasn't satisfied with how the chest was looking.  So....I thought maybe I could work on something easier to build up my skills while also having thoughts about starting a small business.  But, I just wasn't ready yet.

I decided I wanted to make some small shadow boxes (aka frames) for active law enforcement and military that could house their medals for display, while also allowing relatively easy access so they could be taken out of the box and worn on dress uniforms.  I considered naming my company "Honor Boxes" to represent what it was that I wanted to make.  Well, guess what?  I wasn't too happy with how they came out either because the corners weren't matching up as well as I would have liked.  I also wasn't satisfied with how I would hang them and how to insert the backing for them while on display.  If I was going to do them, I wanted to do them right.  If it was going to be my name on them, I wanted them to be of excellent quality.  So....I decided to start taking some woodworking classes to learn proper techniques and new skills. I bought a small laser engraver with a view to customizing the shadow boxes so they had more meaning.  But, I wasn't ready yet.

I started accumulating tools for my shop and bought a slightly larger laser engraver/milling machine to start making small projects.  One of my woodworking classes was on finishing wood, so I started to experiment with different woods, dyes, and finishes to see what finishes would work best with certain types of wood while I built up my skills.  I never took any money and simply gave away everything that I made.  I made plaques, desk nameplates, and small jewelry boxes.  I came up with a box design that does not require precise corners like a frame and now I quite like the look of them.  I came up with a larger version of the box that could be used as a gun cleaning kit or something similar.  I was close to being ready, but the size and speed of the laser engraver was severely hampering my ability to do what I not only wanted to do, but was now capable of doing.

I finally got to a point where I believe my skills are sufficient that I'm willing to put my name behind what I make.  I've purchased a larger laser engraver so I can make custom engraved wooden products not only faster, but bigger as well.  I've been experimenting with some challenge coin holder designs and am excited to branch into this area as well.  I'm always interested in new products I can make and look for ways to make my designs unique.

The company is set up after me talking about doing it "someday" for the past several years.  I decided I didn't just want to focus on law enforcement and military because, as much as we make fun of firefighters, I do respect what they do.  Being able to get up from your nap or get pulled away from your BBQ to go to work is very difficult and deserves respect.  Sorry.  I can't help it.  Seriously though, I wanted to create a business that created gifts/awards of recognition primarily for emergency workers (Police, Fire, EMS) and military service men and women.  As a result, Front Line Awards and Gifts was born to represent all of us.

Oh yeah....now I remember why I wrote "Us" up there.  My wife has been very supportive and put up with my taking over the garage with tools, lumber, and dust.  And the time I spend in there takes away from the time I get to spend with her, so she also has a lot invested in this.  And the chest I made for her still sits in my garage as a reminder that I want to make excellent quality custom products.  Some day I'll make one for her that will actually be good enough to give to her.  Some day...