A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
Brett was born here in Minnesota, but grew up in a small town near Green Bay, Wisconsin. He moved back to Minnesota in 1994 to attend the University of Minnesota and received a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science in 1999. He started off working in the I.T. department at a medical device company for 7 years out of college, where he gained a lot of experience. Then, in 2005, when Brett and his wife Lindsay were expecting their second child, Brett started up Yerkotech Computer Solutions, an I.T. services company specializing in serving small businesses.
The business was very successful and flourished under their philosophy of integrity, honesty and placing God first in all they do. He placed the business in God's hands and God took care of the rest.
But, something was missing. Brett, feeling God nudging him, felt it was time to move on in a new direction. He was getting tired of the "bigger, better, more, faster" mentality of the technology industry and wanting to spend more time with his growing family. By this time, he had the responsibility of raising up and training seven children to be capable, hard working, God fearing adults. That is hard to do while working away from home all week long and being on call every minute in between. He desired to start a business where his family could be involved together. Something that would allow his children to join him as they got older. Where he could teach them business skills and work ethic. Where he could be home to enjoy three meals together with his family and lead family devotions for his children. Brett listed Yerkotech for sale still not sure of where he was headed next.
During this time, his family began getting a little more cramped around the dinner table. Brett, enjoying woodworking for years, went out to the garage, with some plans he found on Ana White's website, to build a bench for more little ones to squeeze together on. He found the process very rewarding and soon a second bench was added, with plans for a matching table to come. He soon found himself spending his spare time building raised garden beds, creating a quilt rack for his wife, putting up some bookshelves for his homeschooled kids' ever growing library, and enjoying every minute of his work more and more. After much prayer, he decided to make a go of it. This was something that, with his skill and God's grace, could provide for his family. It would also allow him to be around for his family and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. At the end of 2012 Brett sold Yerkotech, transitioned the company over, and set up office in the garage.
During the summer of 2015, God prompted another change for the family. That summer the family traveled to Wyoming and North Dakota in a 32' travel trailer to work fairs with a mission group called Amazing Grace Mission. This trip then prompted a 6 month trip from October 2015 through March 2016 to work many fairs throughout the Southern part of the United States. During that trip Brett officially became a missionary with the group. The family then went back to Minnesota at the end of March 2016 and sold just about everything they owned, including Minnesota Farmhouse. Levi and Staci Moses, friends of the Yerks', bought the business and ran it until August of 2018. With Brett and Lindsay expecting child #9 in September, they moved back to Minnesota and re-purchased the business from the Moses'. It is their hope that the business will be able to help them continue to do short mission trips to work fairs with Amazing Grace Mission.
We look forward to working with you to create your newest piece of furniture.
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