FOUNDER TO THE PROFILE
Drafter Designer, J-Kraft Custom Cabinets
“I attribute my success to discipline from studying martial arts for a long time. The dedication of going to classes, putting in the effort, learning the material, and applying those lessons to improving myself and other things in life like work. You have to go in and apply yourself fully, and if you make a mistake, just try to adjust, correct, and get up and keep going.”
Randal McFarland is a Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) professional based in the Houston, Texas, area, with more than 20 years of experience in millwork drafting and design. Throughout his career, he has worked primarily with cabinet shops and woodworking operations, developing detailed production drawings for custom residential and commercial projects. His experience also includes designing architectural features and displays for a sign company and completing specialized projects, including a hotel bar based on an architectural design. In his professional role, Randal focuses on ensuring that custom millwork projects are accurately documented and ready for production. His responsibilities have included reviewing job specifications and paperwork, incorporating builder-requested modifications into floor plans, processing field measurements, obtaining approvals, and preparing detailed drawings for kitchens, bathrooms, and other custom installations. He has also contributed his CAD expertise to the design of a new church building. In addition to his drafting career, McFarland is the lead instructor at Grey Wolf Martial Arts, where he educates others in personal protection and practical self-defense. McFarland holds a fourth-degree black belt in Kenpo and has trained under several instructors to develop a reality-based approach to martial arts that emphasizes practical techniques and real-world situations. He has also developed a workplace safety program designed to help businesses and office employees prepare for active-shooter incidents and other hostile situations. McFarland credits the discipline and dedication he developed through martial arts for his professional success, emphasizing the importance of giving one's best effort, learning from mistakes, and accepting constructive criticism. Guided by honesty and perseverance, he strives to bring commitment and integrity to every aspect of his work and personal life.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
I attribute my success to discipline from studying martial arts for a long time. The dedication of going to classes, putting in the effort, learning the material, and applying those lessons to improving myself and other things in life like work. You have to go in and apply yourself fully, and if you make a mistake, just try to adjust, correct, and get up and keep going.
Don't take things too personal. Any critique you get is a positive thing to help you get better.
Learn from your mistakes and keep growing at what you do. I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning, so just learn from them.
The challenges are learning what each builder requires and their specifications on things, and understanding how they like to have things done. It's a big challenge because there's a lot to learn for each one. Opportunities might include eventually getting into a remodeling business for myself or doing people's drawings for cabinets and countertops to help refurbish homes.
Doing the best that I can, putting my best effort into whatever I'm doing. And being honest. When people come and say something is not right or something was messed up and it's your fault, just owning up to it and saying okay, let me fix that, that's mine.
PERSPECTIVES
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