On this episode of Grit Daily Startup Show, Leonard Kim sat down with Michael Ausilio, the owner of Ausilio Design. Based in Friday Harbor, a small and tight-knit island community, Ausilio has carved out a niche for himself in a competitive field by blending hands-on construction experience with technical design expertise. In their conversation, Ausilio detailed how his career evolved and the principles that have guided him along the way.
Foundation in Hard Work
Ausilio attributes much of his work ethic to the influence of his father, a master carpenter who built his career in Sausalito, California, before relocating to Friday Harbor. “One thing my father ingrained into me is working hard,” Ausilio said. Growing up, he often found himself drawn to his father’s craft but recognized early on that matching his father’s level of skill would take time and effort.
While there was a time where he had to accept that working with him wasn’t a reality yet, after years of proving his commitment, Ausilio joined his father on job sites, starting with basic carpentry. “I kind of just decided I was going to do it, and it’s paid off greatly.”
Transitioning to Design
While Ausilio started in construction, his move into design came through a research and development role at a seismic tie-down company. There, he learned AutoCAD and began working on technical drawings, which laid the groundwork for his transition into residential design.
“That’s where the design started,” he explained. He did that for about four years, and during that time, he also started drafting for a local design company. This combination of experiences helped him realize that designing homes was a better fit for his skills and aspirations.
Challenges and Opportunities in a Unique Market
Operating in Friday Harbor presents its own set of challenges. With limited land available, much of Ausilio’s work involves renovations and additions rather than new builds. “What ends up happening is you get renovations and additions,” he noted. A common project he encounters is adding mother-in-law suites to existing homes to accommodate aging family members.
Ausilio emphasized the importance of ensuring that additions look seamless. “Most of the homes I’m doing additions on are $1.5 million homes that need to look like $2.5 million,” he said. Key to achieving this, he explained, is aligning rooflines and maintaining the home’s cohesive design.
Leveraging Technology and Expanding Reach
For the first five years of his career, Ausilio relied entirely on word-of-mouth referrals. However, as competition grew, he turned to digital tools to expand his reach. Surprisingly, Yelp became a significant driver of new clients.
“Yelp has been killing it for me,” he said, explaining that many of his clients are already familiar with the platform. He also noted the diversity it brought to his clientele. Most of the clients he gets on Yelp are immigrants, just all over the board. And he loves that.
This broader exposure has allowed him to work in areas beyond Friday Harbor, bringing new experiences and techniques back to his local market.
Collaborative Approach to Growth
Ausilio’s success is also tied to his collaborative mindset. By co-designing with other professionals, he’s been able to learn from their experience while refining his own methods. He co-designed with older male and female designers in the region.
“By co-designing, they hired me to do the drawings on the back end,” he said. “They did the client interface. And that’s been something that I’ve done a lot in the last five years. And I’ve helped other businesses grow. But I’ve also learned so much about design through these other designers, because they had so much more experience than me.”
Lessons for Aspiring Designers
Ausilio is clear that success in design doesn’t require a formal degree but does demand commitment. “You just have to do the research. You just have to craft your skills in design when everyone else is sleeping,” he said. His advice for those starting out is simple: “The best way to learn design is to just never say no.”
This relentless drive, paired with a willingness to adapt and learn, has allowed Ausilio to build a thriving business in a competitive field. For those looking to follow a similar path, his journey offers a clear blueprint for success.
