Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Meyer
Hi Kristin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I never set out to be a business owner. In fact, I spent years working for multinational companies, convinced entrepreneurship was too risky. But life has a way of surprising you.
After getting laid off, I took a leap into small business, starting with custom barn doors. A year later, Adam and I met a husband-wife team in the shutter business, and what started as friendly conversations turned into an opportunity to take over their manufacturing company. In 2019, we took a deep breath, took out a loan twice the size of our mortgage, and Southern Crafted Shutters was born.
In the early days, it was just Adam, myself, and sometimes my parents, learning the business one order at a time. We made every mistake possible—especially when it came to hiring. But we figured it out, built an incredible team, and now create high-quality, custom exterior shutters with an emphasis on craftsmanship and service.
Our clients want shutters that are both beautiful and functional—whether it’s traditional Colonial shutters that enhance curb appeal or Bahama shutters that provide privacy and shade. What makes me most proud? Our team. We’ve created an environment where people grow, take ownership, and build real skills for the future. We hire high school students through a work-based learning program, offer flexible hours for parents, and provide leadership opportunities for everyone.
Southern Crafted Shutters is more than just a business—it’s a place where craftsmanship meets community. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a manufacturing business comes with its fair share of challenges, but the biggest one has always been scaling while maintaining quality and service. When we first started, it was just Adam and me figuring things out as we went. Now, with a growing team and increasing demand, we have to ensure that every shutter we craft meets our high standards while keeping up with production timelines.
Another ongoing challenge is hiring and training the right people. We learned the hard way that just having the right skills isn’t enough—culture fit matters just as much. That’s why we created a unique hiring process that prioritizes accountability, problem-solving, and teamwork. We’ve also invested in work-based learning programs, bringing in students and training them in both technical skills and leadership.
Beyond that, balancing customization with efficiency is always a puzzle. Every shutter we make is custom, which means we don’t just pull products off a shelf—we’re designing, manufacturing, and finishing each order to fit a client’s exact needs. That requires constant communication and problem-solving, but at the end of the day, it’s also what sets us apart.
Despite these challenges, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a home transformed with our shutters or hearing from a client about how seamless their experience was. Every challenge is just another opportunity to refine what we do and make it even better.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
About Southern Crafted Shutters
Southern Crafted Shutters is a custom exterior shutter manufacturer specializing in high-quality, made-to-order Bahama and traditional shutters. Based in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, we take pride in blending craftsmanship, durability, and design to create shutters that enhance homes across the country.
Our Endurance, Key West, and Revere shutter lines offer homeowners, builders, and architects a variety of premium materials, including aluminum and composite, ensuring longevity without the maintenance headaches of wood. Whether it’s privacy and shade with Bahama shutters or classic curb appeal with traditional shutters, every product is custom-built to fit each project perfectly.
At Southern Crafted Shutters, we don’t just manufacture shutters—we create lasting home upgrades backed by exceptional service and proactive communication. From consultation to installation support, we make the process stress-free, ensuring each customer gets shutters they love for years to come.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t just about growing the business—it’s about creating something meaningful, both for our clients and our team. At Southern Crafted Shutters, success means delivering a product that homeowners love—something that enhances their home, provides function, and makes them feel proud every time they pull into the driveway.
But beyond the product, success is also about building a company culture that truly values people. When we first started, we learned that hiring the right people was just as important as making a high-quality shutter. Now, seeing our team grow, take ownership of their roles, and develop skills that will serve them for a lifetime? That’s success.
It also means staying true to what we set out to do—providing exceptional service, being transparent with clients, and ensuring every project runs smoothly. If our customers trust us, if our team feels supported, and if we’re continually improving, then I know we’re on the right track.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://scshutters.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southerncraftedshutters/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerncraftedshutters
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtMJ1e0JllDPoR3RnUB-atA
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/SouthernCraftedShutters/ https://www.tiktok.com/@scshutters
