Today we’d like to introduce you to John Yarema.
Hi John, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up on a 100-acre farm in Romeo Michigan. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
For five years, I programmed dealer systems for Electronic Data Systems (EDS), which was a company bought by General Motors.
While I was working at EDS, my wife and I bought a one-room schoolhouse. It was in disrepair; it was horrible. Every night after work, we would work on that old school house. When we got around to the flooring, I thought, “I can’t afford flooring,” so we cut down the biggest red oak on my family’s 100-acre farm, cut it into planks, and laid it on the floor. I realized there was nothing more rewarding than building something with your hands and being tired at the end of the day. I got another flooring job, then another flooring job, eventually went part-time at EDS, and ultimately quit EDS to go out on my own.
That was over 30 years ago.
I started installing floors locally, and for many years I hammered out a good living. Swinging a hammer has provided me and my family a great life. We live on an amazing horse farm in Metamora MI, it paid for my 4 kids to go to private schools for their entire education. And then put them all through college.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have worked crazy long hours and worked extremely hard over the last 30 years. After all of these years of installing hardwood floors, my body is a little beat up. It feels like we all spend a lifetime beating up our bodies as a means to a living and then spend the 4th quarter of it trying to patch it up. I went Vegan 4 years ago, I run and bike and try and do something physical to promote better physical health every day. But obviously, everything is relative, so far, I have been very blessed. (Not religiously). During the crash of ’08, I went from 18 employees down to just myself. It was very stressful. Luckily, I landed one job in New York City at the Plaza Hotel for a Russian Oligarch. For over 2 years, I would fly to NYC on the 6 am Monday flight, and back home on the 5pm Friday. My wife Lisa took care of the homefront and we would only get to spend 36 hours a week together on the weekends. a8AIt was very hard. But everything is relative. During the recession, many people I know lost everything during that period; They lost their business’ They lost their marriage… And when I watch what is happening in the Ukraine right now to people’s families and businesses, it’s hard to complain. When it comes to the aches and pains, so many people have it so much worse than I do. My father had 5 back surgeries over his lifetime. He lived in chronic for nearly his entire life. He never let that stop him from being a great father. So, I would say it’s been a relatively really smooth sail.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I don’t know how to describe what we do. While we primarily specialize in ornamental woodwork, iron, and ceramics. 75% of our work is typically flooring, we build furniture; entire rooms; timberframes, stairs, I think what sets us apart is that my son and I are always trying to create new ideas. There is nothing more satisfying than creating something new on this planet. Philip recently finished furniture school at Kendall College of art and design. and joined me about 2 years ago. While we work around the world, my favorite project is 6 miles from my house in Historic Metamora Mi. We built a timberframe and floors for a 160-year-old historic Inn/restaurant. we worked very close with the owners and all of the wood for the project came from their forest where we carefully cut and dragged the logs out with horses to be turned into the flooring, walls, and ceilings.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Sam Harris Waking up Meditation App has been a life saver. It helps me go back to sleep at 3 am when I wake up and can’t stop thinking/worrying about work.
Contact Info:
- Website: yarema@yaremainc.com
- Instagram: yarema_inc
Image Credits
Andrew Zecchini
