Work is only work if you’d rather be doing something else.”
Ian Schwandt
Production Manager
Craftsmanship as Calling in the Age of Gig Work
In the construction industry, where some contractors value speed over skill and cost over craftsmanship, it’s easy to forget that construction can be more than just a job. For Ian Schwandt, TDS Design Build’s Production Manager, it’s a vocation—a lifelong pursuit of mastery rooted in purpose.
Ian’s path was never about climbing a corporate ladder. He grew up on a farm in rural Dodge County, Wisconsin, attended what he calls a “pretty basic high school,” and failed out of community college before his first semester was over. But he followed his curiosity—from auto mechanic to union carpenter to custom woodworker—and along the way built a meaningful life in the trades.
I never wanted the lake house in Minocqua, or the big penthouse in New York,” Ian says. “My dream is just to do work I care about, and do it well.”
Ian Schwandt
Production Manager
At TDS, Ian’s philosophy resonates deeply. We’re not just here to build houses. We’re here to build lasting careers, mentor the next generation, and craft homes of exceptional quality and enduring value.
A Continuum of Craft
Ian often talks about being part of a continuum—a word that feels almost out of place in our culture of constant reinvention and short-term gigs. But it fits.
He sees his work not as a series of disconnected projects, but as a thread within a much older fabric: one that ties together mentors, apprentices, and peers in the shared pursuit of doing good work well. He isn’t just managing schedules and budgets; he’s guiding people toward their best selves.
That’s why, even as he builds out revenue forecasting models and oversees high-stakes project execution, Ian still makes time to walk jobsites, talk through tricky framing with lead carpenters, and encourage newer team members to take on something just outside their comfort zone.
You don’t learn anything from constant success,” he says. “You build, you assess, you build again. And if someone’s got your back while you do it, that’s where the real growth happens.”
Ian Schwandt
Production Manager
Guild Values in a Gig Economy World
It’s no coincidence that Ian’s approach echoes the values of traditional guilds: mentorship, mastery, and mutual respect. These aren’t just abstract ideals—they’re embedded in how we work at TDS.
Our design-build process isn’t just efficient; it’s relational. It’s how we help clients stay rooted in the homes and communities they love, and how we help our team stay rooted in careers that offer more than a paycheck.
At TDS, we believe that great homes are built by people who feel ownership in their work. That’s why we invest in full-time roles, offer health and retirement benefits, and foster a culture where curiosity and collaboration are part of the job description. As our brand values put it, we’re committed to being:
Curious, lifelong learners
Engaged team players
Forward-thinking problem solvers
We don’t just build structures. We build relationships and futures.
What This Means for the Future
In a time when skilled trades are often undervalued, Ian’s story offers a powerful counter-narrative: that a life in the trades can be rich, respected, and resilient. His work reminds us that craftsmanship isn’t just a skill—it’s a way of seeing the world. A form of care.
And at TDS, we’re working to keep that vision alive.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking for a thoughtful, detail-oriented partner—or a craftsperson searching for a team that values your long-term growth—we invite you to build something more with us.
Because here, we don’t just build homes. We build builders.
