Siblings: Thiessen Design + Construction
Photos by John Burns
Going into business with any family member can be a challenge, but siblings in business together can pose a unique set of hurdles. After all, sibling rivalry begins almost at birth. Fortunately for brother and sister pair, Daniel Carlson and Tammy Thiessen, childhood rivalry turned into adult collaboration— Thiessen Design + Construction.
Thiessen Design + Construction is a design-focused remodeling and construction company that offers a turnkey approach to designing homes from concept to completion. They are known for their clean and bright aesthetic and concierge approach to the entire process, including design, remodel and furnishing.
“We take what has been a fragmented and overwhelming process and make it a customer- focused, comprehensive and enjoyable experience,” Tammy said. “I provide the vision and Daniel executes the plan.”
THIESSEN DESIGN
When Tammy founded her interior design business, she quickly realized that the fragmented way the construction industry functioned wasn’t the best for homeowners. Starting with a general contractor and then backing into the design of the project didn’t make sense. As a designer, Tammy understood that project design needed to come first and then feed into the build process.
“Historically, the role of a general contractor or builder is to execute against what you, as the homeowner, want. But, you have to know WHAT you want, and that is typically what people need help with,” Tammy said. “We help them reimagine their space, advise on what walls should and can be removed. Determine where the focal point of the space should be, and what is even possible in each situation. That is why the traditional contractor- centric approach to remodeling or building isn’t the ideal process for the homeowner.”
+ CONSTRUCTION
Daniel, a licensed general contractor, was building custom carpentry pieces for Tammy’s designs at the time. The two of them began brainstorming ideas for a new type of company that could serve the needs of their clients better. One that had design at the forefront and whose purpose was to make the process enjoyable for homeowners.
When Thiessen Design + Construction takes on a new project, the first step is to advise clients on what should be done. Tammy owns the first phase of these projects. She meets with clients for initial consults, bids the project and takes it through the design phase.
After that, Tammy and Daniel are fully integrated. Once the construction starts Daniel takes over the process
and manages the project. He works directly with the design team throughout to alleviate the demand on the client. Most of the time he can go to the design team to get answers on job specific questions, rather than making last minute calls to the homeowner.
The combination of design plus construction lets projects stay under the same umbrella from start to finish, cutting through unnecessary red tape and keeping communication channels constantly open.
“Our top priority is to make the experience easy and enjoyable for our homeowners. When we finish a space it is 100% done, all the way down to hanging art on the walls,” Tammy said.
SIBLING BONDS
Tammy says she and Daniel have a great relationship, so being in business together is just an extension of an already tight-knit relationship.
“Our families have always been close. We’ve lived in the same town for over 10 years now and have dinner together every Monday night, virtually without exception,” Tammy said. “I can’t imagine having that level of rapport with another person.”
That sibling bond has grown stronger through their collaboration toward mutual success and is what keeps
them aligned in their business relationship; however, it can make the separation between work and family harder to delineate.
Sometimes it is hard to separate work and family—our family conversations often weave in and out between business and non-business topics,” Daniel said. “Sometimes it would be nice to turn it off at the end of the work day but it is also really great to be able to share this exciting company we are growing with our family.”
Tammy says that while they do end up talking shop a lot when they are together, as the business has matured, they have worked hard to create space to talk about other things. As they have matured, so has their relationship.
“It’s been incredible to be on the same team together,” Tammy said. “I certainly don’t think working together is ideal for all family members, but if you do} work well together, it’s such a solid foundation to work from.”
