BRIAN
OWNER / FOUNDER
Brian is the creative genius behind the company’s logo: “Your Imagination is our Only Limitation”. Truly, if you can think it, Brian can create it. Brian is married to Trish and together they have 8 children and 4 grandchildren. Having owned the company for 17 years, it really took off 8 years ago when Brian decided to take a leap of faith and quit his 8-4 job at a local company, working on products in the garage, and focus solely on Bauer Designs. The company went from Brian working endless hours in his dad’s, the late Raymond Jones, hog barn by himself, to the company and the great team that exists today. It is truly Brian’s dedication and determination that has made the company what it is today. We like to refer to the team as the land of misfits. These boys who may not have belonged anywhere else; fit here. They are making the best car furniture in the nation, and they are becoming great human beings. Brian tries to instill in the team the lessons taught to him by his dad, and almost all of them look to Brian for advice, work or personal, as they would look to a father. He truly is the backbone of the company and has made a home here for his team. Brian leads by example and works right alongside the boys. His hard work ethic and dedication to the company is a testament to the beliefs of Bauer Designs.
CARTER
THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN
Carter is a one-of-a-kind talent in the team, embodying resilience and craftsmanship in every piece he creates. His journey has been anything but ordinary, marked by strength and determination through life's challenges. Despite facing hardships, Carter’s perseverance has always shone through. He spent his teenage years working off and on with the company, eventually venturing to a tire shop for a few years before finding his way back home. His return marked a new chapter for both him and the team.​
Today, Carter is the lead fabricator, a true artist with metal and machinery. His talent is unparalleled, and he has an innate ability to build anything. Beyond his professional skills, Carter is also a dedicated father to his daughter, Aubrie, who brings joy to his life.​ Carter is not just an employee; he's the future of Bauer Designs. He is being groomed to take on a leadership role, with the vision that one day, he will run the company. His journey from adversity to mastery is a testament to his resilient spirit and the core values upheld by Bauer Designs.
WALKER
THE DEDICATED PAINTER
Walker has been part of the team since he was a kid, earning his spot through hard work and dedication. He's known for being pretty quiet and often finds himself the target of friendly jokes around the shop. Despite the teasing, he takes it all in stride, showing his resilience and sense of humor.
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Walker still lives at home with his parents and is figuring out his path. While he's not much of a talker, his commitment to his work is clear. Give Walker a task, and he might need a few tries to nail it, but once he does, he's great at it.
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Now, Walker is our primary painter, and his skills have come a long way. He consistently delivers quality work, proving his talent and reliability. Walker’s journey from a novice to a skilled painter shows his perseverance and the supportive, fun environment of Bauer Designs.
THE HARDWORKING MANAGER
DAKOTA
Dakota, or Dak, has been with us longer than anyone else here. His story is nothing short of remarkable. On his own since he was 14, Dak has shown incredible resilience and determination.​ Five years ago, Dak showed up with a friend who worked here and asked for just one day's work to prove himself. He had dropped out of school and juggled three jobs at age 14, crashing on any couch available. He worked tirelessly until he saved up enough to buy a trailer and kept on working.
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When he first arrived, he didn't have a license or a car. Today, Dak has his own home, a license, a car, a hotrod, and a company truck. He manages the company and does an outstanding job at it. His work ethic is unmatched, and he tackles every task with dedication. Dak's journey from a determined teenager to a skilled manager is a testament to his hard work and the supportive environment at Bauer Designs.
MARIAH
THE ARTISTIC PRODIGY
Mariah is a powerhouse of talent, having worked with us for about five years now. Remarkably, the company was started on the day she was born. At 17, she's already made a significant impact here. Much like her brother Carter, Mariah realized early on that hard work paid off. She took to earning her own money and proved her skills time and again. Incredibly talented, Mariah handles all of our artwork. Whether it’s pinstriping, custom logos, or anything paint-related, she’s the go-to person. Mariah's artistic touch is seen in every project, making her an invaluable member of the Bauer Designs team.
STEVE
THE COMEBACK KID
Steve's journey has been a wild ride, full of ups and downs, but he's come out stronger on the other side. When he first joined us, he was crashing on a buddy's couch next to the shop. That buddy ended up getting evicted and fired, and Steve stepped right in to fill some big shoes. Despite his past struggles with drugs, Steve has turned his life around in a big way. Steve spent 4-5 years in and out of jail and was still battling his meth addiction when he started here. But here's the thing about Steve: he's completely changed the perception of what an addict can achieve.
He's been sober for nearly two years now and has been with us for the same amount of time. Steve has a young son, Karson, and a stepson, Sailor. His fiancé, Melanie, has been a great support system and a wonderful mom. Steve's turnaround is nothing short of inspiring. His hard work, dedication, and resilience have restored faith that anyone can recover and succeed.
GARY
THE TALENTED BUILDER
Gary can be a handful sometimes, having spent more than half his life in prison and battling alcoholism. But despite his struggles, Gary is one of the nicest and most caring people around. Thanks to his wife Ashley, he's been sober for about six months.
Gary is a fantastic builder with incredible skills. He can build anything asked of him, always delivering excellent work. He's a family man with a stepdaughter, Sophia, and a newborn son, Grayson, whom Brian Bauer is proud to be the godfather of.
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His hard work and dedication make him a valuable part of the team, and everyone is committed to supporting him as much as he supports them.
JACOB LEE
THE FIX-IT LEGEND
Jacob Lee is the guy who can fix anything. Literally. Despite not having a high school diploma, he's one of the smartest people around. When he first joined us, he had family issues and was planning to move into a campground with his pregnant wife, disabled adult sister, and 3-year-old daughter. He was literally going to live in a tent.
Brian Bauer had a relative living in a nearby house that was destroyed due to addiction. The house was in terrible shape, so Brian and his wife, Trish, bought it and offered it to Jacob if he’d do the repairs. Jacob worked tirelessly for weeks, determined to create a home for his family. He had never had his own bedroom, always sleeping in a chair or couch in his parents' cramped trailer. Now, Jacob has been in that house for three years with his wife, Paige, and their three daughters: Harper, Harley, and Harmony.
Jacob is truly an asset to Bauer Designs. He can take any new piece of equipment and make it work, fixing anything asked of him. Having Jacob on the team is a real blessing.
