Working in Clark County, a brief profile of interesting Clark County business owners or a worker in the public, private or nonprofit sector. Send ideas to Kay Richardson:
kay.richardson@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
Joey Fuerstenberg gave the corporate life a go, but it wasn’t for him. “There’s a lot of top-down action in that world. It was kind of a turnoff and I decided that wasn’t going to be a long-term solution for me.” After joining, then buying his parents’ business, he found fulfillment doing something in a hands-on, meaningful way that helps families going through a troubling time.
Name: Joey Fuerstenberg.
Residence neighborhood: Orchards.
Business name: Vancouver Granite Works Inc., 6007 E. 18th St. (www.vancouvergranite.com)
Age: 43.
Educational/professional background: Bachelor’s of Science in Business from Oregon State University; over 20 years in the monument industry. I earned my Certified Memorialist designation from the Monument Builders of North America in 1997. In order to get this designation, you have to have worked two years in the industry. You have to demonstrate knowledge of different stone and where it comes from, how to design memorials, the process from quarry to placement. You take courses on grieving and the business end of it. It’s wide-ranging, with a four-hour test. It’s akin to an accountant getting a CPA.
How you got started in your business: As Vancouver Granite has been my family’s business, I’ve been in and around it my entire life. After college, I did a stint in the corporate world, working for Circuit City when they first established here in Oregon and Washington. There’s a lot of top-down action in that world. It was kind of a turnoff and I decided that wasn’t going to be a long-term solution for me. I came to work for my parents, and in 2014 bought the business from them when they retired.
Personal/business philosophy: Personal: Life is too short not to be doing what you love. Business: Hire good people to provide clients with quality products and services and don’t get in the way while they are providing it.
Most rewarding part of your job: Helping families create a lasting tribute honoring the life of their loved ones. Many times families come in and they have no idea what they’re doing, and they’re a little lost. We talk about options, talk about the person the memorial is for, where the stone will be placed. We marry it all up. We come up with the story they want to tell about the person, and then the families see the draft the designers come up with before it’s created.
Most challenging part of your job: Keeping on top of all the government regulations.
Your favorite travel destination: Somewhere warm like the Caribbean.
One thing readers might find surprising about your work: All headstones are not created equal. There is difference in the materials and craftsmanship that can mean the difference between the memorial lasting a few years or forever. And I believe they should last forever.
Best feature of my Clark County community: Small-town feel with big-city amenities … or at least close to a big city with those amenities.
What would make your community a better place: More working together and less bickering among elected officials.
Favorite restaurant/pub/coffee shop: Depends on what I’m in the mood for.
Hobbies: Golf, especially at Hartwood, but all the courses in Clark County are pretty nice; camping, spending time with my family.
Most enjoyable book/play/movie/arts event in past 12 months: Play: “Phantom of the Opera.” Movie: “Avengers 2 (“Age of Ultron”).”
Something you’d like to do this year or within five years: Go backpacking. Take a Panama Canal cruise.
One word to describe yourself: Thoughtful.
Person you’d most like to meet: Marcus Lemonis.
