We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alxzandra Lawless. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alxzandra below.

Alright, Alxzandra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Mission driven— I had never considered it that way until the article. I always considered myself a “Go-Getter” or “Goal Oriented” perhaps just “driven” but, after seeing the available questions I realized I am absolutely on the sole mission of making this World a better place. I assumed years ago, that I could make a difference in multiple ways, and being multi-talented that I would eventually find “that one job, doing that one thing”. I never could have imagined it would be for my own company.

Alxzandra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For everyone reading, thank you! This is where you’ll learn my first name has no “e” and that my last name would have made me an amazing lawyer, I’m Alxzandra Lawless. And I own One Braid Two Trowels, the company I created from nothing that cares more about you than they could have ever thought possible.

Starting out of high school, my pallet was multifaceted. And I possessed many natural talents, reading, writing, dictation, drama, arts and theater, mathematics, drawing and much more. While some people would find this incredible, I found it baffling. I had no idea in which direction I would be headed once I graduated, and after transitioning to public school from home schooling, a classroom setting wasn’t really my idea of a learning environment or good time.

Once I entered my twenties I had made my mind up to move to Alaska, in doing that I would need certain skills— building, design, agriculture, architecture, plumbing and power and I found myself wishing I knew it all. I wanted move to Alaska and create this life of isolation where I was all I ever needed. And that was where it started, thats when I discovered I had a thirst for knowledge I would spend the next decade cultivating.

In 2020 when the World changed, mine had, too. I lost my uncle, tragically and I thought I would never recover. And then, 3 days later I suffered a career ending injury. Not really understanding all that happened, I turned on autopilot for about the next 3 years. I kept my head down, my injury healed, and while my hand returned to full function, I’m not sure my spirit ever did.

And then one afternoon, I was let go. My employer; at the time, had went under and dissolved his business. By this point I was almost 30 and knew a comfortable amount of trades, enough to manage, and that was it. I had spent the last decade learning everything I could and the most important; how not to run a business—

“I can do this” I thought, and so I did.

I created One Braid Two Trowels as a reflection of myself and my values. I primarily focus on Tile and Masonry; the reason for “two trowels” and if anyone knows me, the braid part is an easy tell. I move with purpose and a level of transparency that rarely if at all, exists in my industry. Bathroom & Kitchen renovations are my speciality but, I also love older homes and restoring them to their glory. Inside and out. One of the few Masons in Omaha who specialize in Older brick and stone, I even revitalize “grapevine mortar” or “roping” for needing clients. I wanted to set myself apart, and I believe I have achieved that one day at a time. The most recent way I have driven this value home is by doing all design work in house, using my designing knowledge and electronic specialty to the table I have sold over 50+ project designs and half the cost of designer firms and built just as many for my clients.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe in honesty and truth. I also believe that love will never put you in a situation where you are unwanted, and while I do own the business; it would never be possible without the love, support and faith given to me by our community. With out my customers, without the trust so many have given me; I wouldn’t be where I am today. I truly care about people, and in turn I am viewed as a genuine person providing the best service I am able, I may not be perfect but I strive for outstanding finished products and I pride myself on my attention to detail whether that means recognizing your tile sections could use improvement or that I should leave your home a little earlier that day because you had an awful one yourself. I am only here because I stand behind my brand, I expect excellence from myself and work tirelessly to hone my craft.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

The first winter wad hard— I had just formulated my business and had a plan in place when a family member fell ill with cancer and not many care options were covered, I found myself working to provide them care. As well as caring for my entire household, once I realized I wad drowning I sat down and asked myself what I needed to do to be happy and what needed to happen within my business to stay afloat and I quickly realized they were the same thing; I needed to survive this and market myself to provide for my family. And making it through that, surviving that hardship cemented this work that I do, it showed me that when your down 16 points in the fourth quarter with three minutes to go that your community can bring you back from the edge and help you thrive! I will provide the best service I can for as long as I can, and I still will never repay half the kindness I was shown. I will spend the next few decades doing whatever I can for the amazing people of this city, I love every single one of you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://onebraidtwotrowels.square.site/
• Instagram: [email protected]
• Facebook: Facebook.com/OneBraidTwoTrowels
• Twitter: Twitter.com/1Braid2Trowels