Admit it, you have an inquiring mind, and you want to know about the team designing your dream home. We understand the inclination. So we decided to bring you shop talk conversations with the talented pros designing, building, and outfitting your homes.
WHJ SHARES WORDS FROM SUN VALLEY SAUNAS AND LOCAL BUILDERS + BLINDS LLC.
Sun Valley Saunas –Wes McMahon, Owner
Sun Valley Saunas sells high quality traditional and infrared saunas, indoor and outdoor, in Sun Valley as well as throughout the U.S. They manufacture their own outdoor traditional cedar saunas in Idaho, and they carry top Scandinavian luxury brands such as SaunaLife, Auroom, and Saunum. They also offer custom saunas from initial design to construction.
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? We sell everything from two person indoor infrared saunas to large luxury outdoor saunas. We ship all of our products throughout the United States. Locally, here in the Wood River Valley we do home visits to help our customers figure out what sauna is best for their space; we build saunas here, fix them if need be, and everything in between. We also have a robust custom sauna program throughout the U.S. where the sky is pretty much the limit.
HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR FIELD CHANGING IN THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS? I see it growing and I see more funky and interesting custom saunas popping up in different places out there. You’ve got your floating saunas now, your gondola saunas, and even saunas for spectators at hockey arenas (in Finland). I see that continuing. I also see the popularity for this age old tradition growing more and more as people continue to invest more in their health and well being.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW? We recently started manufacturing our own outdoor traditional saunas right here in southern Idaho. These saunas are made from clear Western Red Cedar that is sourced in Idaho or Canada, depending on availability, and we’re selling them at a really great price for something that’s completely made in the U.S. We can deliver them throughout the country and assemble them onsite if it’s a regional delivery.
DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS – HOW DO YOU WORK WITH CLIENTS, CONTRACTORS, DESIGNERS, AND ARCHITECTS? First, we meet customers where they are. A lot of people come to us and they’ve heard that saunas are “good for you,” but that’s it. So, we ask them about their space, whether they’re interested in infrared or traditional, price point, wood type, etc. From there, we give them some ideas, go back and forth a few times until we find the right sauna, then work with their electrician and contractor on assembly and installation and stay involved as much or as little as needed depending on the project. I even delivered a large fully assembled sauna (with help from my father-in-law) to a customer’s house here on Thanksgiving Day last year! It snowed.
WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING NEW PRODUCT OR DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR FIELD? The sauna world is pretty old school, so it’s only over the last few years that we’ve finally been graced with wifi sauna controls, which allow you to control your sauna from an app on your phone, like everything else at your house. It’s a total game changer, though, because a sauna takes a good 30-60 minutes to get to temperature. So instead of waiting around at home you can ski a couple more runs and come home to a hot sauna.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR LINE OF WORK? Most of our customers are super overwhelmed by all the sauna options out there when they come to us. I love making things simple for them and helping them pick out the sauna that is right for them and their space. Buying a sauna is an expensive and daunting purchase for a lot of people, so alleviating that stress is definitely a highlight.
HOW DID YOUGET YOUR START? My background is in the legal field. I started Sun Valley Saunas as a way to do something completely different and to help people feel great. Regular sauna use can add a ton of value to your life and they really couldn’t be easier to use.
WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO WHEN YOU WORK? Lots of Grateful Dead and indie music. MJ Lenderman is getting a lot of play in my office these days.
LAST BOOK YOU READ THAT YOU WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND WHY? The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday. I’m a big fan of Ryan Holiday and I think this is his best books definitely one of his most popular ones. It turned how I view challenges and problems on its head. Highly recommend this to everyone who has’t read it.
It’s only over the last few years that we’ve finally been graced with wifi sauna controls…It’s a total game changer, though, because a sauna takes a good 30-60 minutes to get to temperature. So instead of waiting around at home you can ski a couple more runs and come home to a hot sauna.
– Wes McMahon
Local Builders +Blinds LLC
BL AKE SHROPSHIRE, BUILDING GENERAL CONTRACTOR KELLY SHROPSHIRE, WINDOW TREATMENT SPECIALIST KAILEY SHROPSHIRE, OFFICE MANAGER
Local Builders + Blinds is a trio made up of Blake Shropshire, building general contractor, Kelly Shropshire, window treatment specialist, and their daughter-in-law, Kailey, office manager. They are committed to excellence at every step and believe in complete transparency. Local Builders + Blinds is known for their strong relationships with subcontractors, which results in meeting deadlines and exceeding client expectations. Whether local or out-of-state, their client relationships evolve into long lasting friendships. In addition to building services, they offer a wide range of window treatments and partner with many interior design firms in the valley. From elegant drapery to stylish roman shades and versatile solar shades, both motorized and manual, they have the perfect solutions for any space.
WHAT GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS DO YOU SERVE? Blake: The builder’s portion of the business is focused in the Wood River Valley. Kelly: The majority of our business is in Blaine County; however, I have traveled to my clients’ other residences when asked.
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND? Blake: I’ve been in the construction world for 20 years working for many of the top companies in the valley. I recently went out on my own as a general contractor.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO GO INTO THE FIELD AND WHAT MOTIVATED YOU? Blake: I started at the very bottom and have worked almost every trade tirelessly to get where I am. I consider this to be a desirable quality in a general contractor. It helps me with problem solving among many other things. When asked if I won the lottery would I quit my job the answer is, “No, doing what I do is who I am. Not sure who I would be without it.” Kelly: My passion for fabric has been a part of me for as long as I can remember, inspired by my mom and sister, who are both interior designers. When I had the chance to learn about window treatments, I eagerly embraced it as a way to connect with the industry. Window treatments are a big part of design; install day is my very favorite. The transformations are so fulfilling.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Blake: My wife inspires me to be the best version of myself, and my family motivates me to rise each morning. Their support and love drive me to strive for excellence in everything I do. Kelly: I am inspired by proving that I can pick myself up after facing unfortunate circumstances. Each goal I pursue reinforces my belief in my own capabilities and fuels my determination to keep pushing forward. Blake makes all days fun, making me enjoy work and showing my three children what I am capable of is always present in my mind.
DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS. Blake & Kelly: Our process starts with the client’s dream list. We collaborate closely with clients and architects to foster creativity and innovation. Next, we strategize with subcontractors on the scope of work. Then we facilitate a smooth transformation, believing organization is the key to sticking to the timeline.
ANY TRICKS OF THE TRADE YOU CAN SHARE? Kelly & Blake: Cultivating healthy, enjoyable relationships with both tradespeople and clients is the foundation of every project. Mutual respect, positive energy, 100% transparency regarding finances and schedules and a focus on enjoying the process is our way.
WHAT WORDS DO PEOPLE USE TO DESCRIBE YOU? Kelly & Blake: Great listeners, creative ideas, high integrity, working with a sense of humor, ‘can-do attitude’ and meticulous attention to detail. Our friends would say we both have a contagious energy that ensures a good time.
DESCRIBE A NEW PRODUCT OR DEVELOPMENT. Kelly: My mission is to educate architects, builders, and homeowners about the importance of planning for window treatments from the very beginning of the building process. Although they are often installed last, they play a crucial role in the overall design. Recently, I received a call from an architectural firm seeking consultation on what was needed for an elaborate drapery design, and it was extremely validating to see it becoming part of the process.
IF YOU WEREN’T IN THIS FIELD WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? Blake: I would be working for the U.S. Forest Service to preserve nature and helping people enjoy it like I do.
WHAT IS A PLACE YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL? Kelly & Blake: The mountains. They are where we recharge, reboot, and reconnect with ourselves. The mountains remind us that there is something much bigger in this universe than our worries. We make it a point to escape to the mountains as much as possible.
WHAT’S SURE TOMAKE ME LAUGH? Kelly & Blake: We both said our granddaughter in unison. The sound of Haizel Mae’s laughter is utterly contagious and brings joy to everyone around her. We consider Haizel part of the local team. She stays with us a week every month.
FAVORITE SEASON? Blake & Kelly: Our favorite season is summer. We treasure the warmth, the long evenings, and the vibrant energy of the valley as everyone comes out to enjoy the outdoors. The farmers markets, music in the park, and crafting fairs bring the community together in such a joyful way. We are grateful that fall brings such beauty to make saying goodbye to the summer a little easier.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING HERE? Kelly: I actually think this valley was my first love. Visiting my grandparents’ home here led me to beg my parents to make the move. I was fortunate to be part of this valley at 14. I have left and come back but I am extremely grateful to live and work here. I love that the cashiers in the grocery store know me by name, running into friends’ parents I grew up with, the traffic jam of elk on the way north, the moose that occasionally walks by my house, the neighbors snow blowing each other’s driveways, feeling safe when I sleep. And I love that I met Blake here. Working here is equally as amazing. I am not sure I could do what I do in a big city. Most of our business comes from referrals. When I went out on my own, my very first job came from a close friend who stages homes referring me to her client, followed by a phone call from another friend working with an interior design firm and the calls haven’t stopped. Thank you, Wood River Valley.
I started at the very bottom and have worked almost every trade tirelessly to get where I am. I consider this to be a desirable quality in a general contractor. It helps me with problem solving among many other things. When asked if I won the lottery would I quit my job the answer is, “No, doing what I do is who I am.”
