Today we’d like to introduce you to Callie Wiggins.
Hi Callie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Let me introduce myself first, hi my name is Callie Wiggins! Some of my many hobbies include horseback riding, running, working out, camping, travel, playing the guitar, and reading. I am a member of the Copperas Cove Historical Society and I lead my church’s college and career age ministry. My story begins with my parents starting a portable building and tiny home business. What started out as a small sales location in Grenada, Mississippi soon turned into a large scale shed manufacturing company based out of Temple, TX. I have always been very close to my family (my parents and two younger sisters) and involved with my parents businesses. We truly believe we are all in this together and try to support each other in everything we do. After graduating high school in 2021 I knew that the traditional path of college was not for me, especially since I had seen what my parents were capable of with just a high school diploma and an entrepreneurial spirit. This lead my to working for my parents shed business as a customer service manager for 3 years, learning the ins and outs of the sales world. At my parents first sales location in Grenada, they sold products from several manufacturers including metal buildings and carports. This sparked the idea of starting my own online carport business, Nation Carports. My parents helped me lay the ground work and after that the sky was the limit! I started this business while working as a customer service manager so I was given many opportunities to learn and grow. We chose the name Nation Carports to make it clear to our customers, we would find you the product you need no matter where you are. We offer everything from small metal buildings that protect your car, to large industrial facilities and barndominiums. Each of our products are completely customizable and we will even deliver and set up your carport at your house for no additional charge! What really sets us apart though is the support I give each of my customers through the buying process. It can be so hard to find a sells person who truly wants to help you, not just sell you the most expensive product. I’ve always believed in putting my customers needs above everything else and making the buying process as simple and smooth as possible. Over the last several years I have also added a physical sales location in Tupelo, Mississippi that is ran by my fantastic sales manager Richie Ables. As I look to the future I plan to bring on more products and services such as concrete/foundation work. Being a business owner has it’s highs and lows but I’m so blessed to have Nation Carports and all of the opportunity it has created for me!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a business owner especially in sales will always have times of struggle and it’s times of rewards. During Covid I had to adapt to a changing market where my customers wanted to buy more products however the cost of metal had gone thru the roof. Learning to adapt included thinking outside of the box for financing options to offer my customers as well as doing my research to find the cheapest manufacturers without compromising quality. Another more recent difficulty was learning how to navigate this wave of AI marketing. While I have found AI to be such a helpful tool, I never want to compromise trust with my customers by giving them something unauthentic. I always strive to find the balance of using AI as a tool and not a replacement for my own creativity or voice to my customers. I believe I have found that balance and will continue to grow along side the technology, instead of letting it overtake my business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Nation Carports we specialize in metal carports, garages, RV/boat covers, barns, and industrial shops. We provide service to the whole country by partnering with several American made manufactures. The checkout, delivery, and setup process is all handled for the customer so that there is no need to stress. There are unlimited options to customize each building exactly how you would like it including garage doors, insulation, windows, and many different paint colors. While we don’t currently offer concrete work, we can install our buildings on dirt, gravel, asphalt, or concrete since there in not a floor system in our buildings. If our customer is worried about payment, we have some pretty amazing rent to own options that require no credit check as well as some more traditional financing options that do require one. All of our pricing is extremely competitive and we regularly offer sales/promotions throughout the year. The thing I’m most proud of as the owner of Nation Carports is that I connect with each of my customers. I help them take a stressful process and turn it in to something effortless, with my background in customer service I know this is crucial. Another thing I am so proud of is that I only sell products that have the best quality. Before I choose a manufacturer, I do deep research into the product. Each of my buildings with anchors can withstand 140mph winds and have at least a 20 year metal warranty. I always strive to give my customers something built to last, not a building that will blow over at the first gust of wind.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My age has always been quite a surprising thing for most people. Because my family has been in the shed/carport world for so long, I was able to tell you every feature on a combo unit metal building before I knew how to do algebra. Being a 22 year old woman in a male dominated field has it’s struggles but I truly believe the professionalism, knowledge, and customer service I offer exceeds my years. Every day I continue to prove that I have a place in this industry and I hope to encourage other young women they do to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nationcarport.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationcarports/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationcarports
