Jake Everiss, Jake The Glass Guy. Photos / Supplied
Jake Everiss, Jake The Glass Guy. Photos / Supplied
Fully qualified glazier Jake Everiss has recently introduced his business Jake The Glass Guy to the Waikato area.
Born and bred in Te Awamutu, Jake had previously serviced the local region for seven years.
“I started off by chance with window manufacturing. I was making windows and doors. I got on well with the glass guys that would come in and built a relationship with them,” he says.
“They said they’d keep an eye out for a job for me and one came up with the local guys. I applied for it and I’ve never looked back - I love it.”
In September 2022, Jake finally realised his dream of being a business owner/operator on his own schedule.
“I was working for another company in town. I worked for them for years and thought it was time to go out and do my own thing.
“I had the opportunity to purchase a glass business but it wasn’t going to be the same as creating my own business. I’ve got a baby on the way in March, so I wanted a lifestyle change. That was more the reason [for the change], being able to have more time for the baby and to help my partner out.”
But Jake isn’t your average glazier. A year before starting his business, his main focus alongside his day job was on social media, creating reels and TikToks with tutorials and demonstrations around glazing.
“It’s half social media and half on the ground glazing company. The videos are what kicked the business off. They blew up so I turned it into a proper business.”
A custom-made glass Christmas tree made by Jake.
With almost 28,000 followers on TikTok and 29,000 on Facebook, Jake has certainly found the right content to showcase to the world.
“It’s not a well-known trade, that’s why the videos have taken off because generally nobody knows what a glazier is. I enjoy getting the trade out there.”
This has even led to a nomination for an award in the United States, Glazier of the Year, where he is the youngest nominee and the only New Zealander.
“It’s more to do with content creating and getting glazing known in the world. I’m stoked about it.”
He says it’s the main point of difference with other competitors, as well as his artistic glasswork making custom-made pendants, sculptures and ornaments.
“It’s something that I really enjoy. It’s outside of the box and I’m not just fixing windows. At Christmas, I made a little glass Christmas tree and everyone was asking to buy it – that was quite cool,” he says.
“I’m only a year into learning glass blowing as it’s hard to learn and quite temperamental but it’s a good challenge. I like a challenge and I like glass.”
For 2023, Jake’s main goals are to get his name out in the community, to hire a fulltime employee and to work on his online store where he sells general glass products.
If you need a glass repair, a splashback or a pet door installed then don’t hesitate to contact Jake.
