Forging success

MOSES LAKE — Seth Miner, owner of Miner Services LLC, has transformed his life from humble beginnings into a thriving welding business. With nearly a decade of experience in the welding industry, Miner said he has achieved success, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way.  

Miner said he relocated from Bellingham to Moses Lake in 2012, motivated by a desire for change and opportunity.  

“I didn't come from money,” Miner said. “When I first moved here, I slept on my buddy's couch for maybe six or eight months. And then I met my wife and moved in with her.” 

Initially, Miner said he pursued a career as a diesel mechanic when he was 18, which he found unsatisfactory after several attempts at schooling. Miner’s father-in-law, who was a welder, encouraged him to switch his focus to welding — a decision that would pave the way for his future successes. 

Miner said he gained early experience working in various companies, honing his welding skills.  

“I went up to North Dakota with him, and kind of did that for a little while, and then came back and I worked at specialty welding and Pacific Northwest Mechanical and Columbia Basin Machines,” Miner said. “And then I kind of attempted to start my business then.” 

However, Miner got his license to be a handyman instead of a welder, where he was painting cabinets and working on some handrails. He tried that for about six months, however the work wasn’t steady.  

Miner said everything changed with a phone call one night at 10:30 p.m. from an employer in Alaska, who urgently needed welders for a shipyard. 

“I remember saying, ‘Dude, it’s the middle of the night, let me call you tomorrow,’” Miner said.  

He woke up the next morning, the flight was booked, and he was on his way to Alaska within 24 hours, working three weeks on, three weeks off.  

“It became a great opportunity to save money while I got my business off the ground,” he said. 

Miner worked for the shipyard for around three years and despite the success he found in Alaska, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented its own set of challenges. The chaos surrounding travel restrictions and health protocols led Miner to reassess his path.  

“I’m done coming here,” Miner said. “This is a pain in the (backside). I'm going home. If COVID lightens up, maybe I'll come back, whatever. But don't count on it. And so, I came back and kind of started doing my thing.” 

Then he began to work for a shipyard closer to home while beginning to start his business.  

“It was like a big fight, like trying to start this business because you're broke,” Miner said. “You never have money, ever. And so, finally, I started keeping, like a log of okay, we lost this job, and we lost this job, and we lost this job because I have a job, so I need to quit so I can do these jobs.” 

The newfound time allowed him to focus on establishing Miner Services, LLC.

“We spent the first few years fighting to make ends meet,” he said.  

Miner said he faced substantial hurdles as he navigated the early years of entrepreneurship until he found a niche that wasn’t previously being met – handrails for businesses and homes.   

“Handrails became our bread and butter,” he said, attributing 80-90% of his income to railing projects for the first two years.  

However, as demand for handrails began to plateau due to market saturation, Miner said he transformed his business model by branching out into heavy equipment attachment fabrication.  

“Once we started getting into buckets and rakes, we made a pretty good amount of money,” he said. 

Then Miner hired a friend of his to start coming in on weekends to help him catch up on work. Miner soon realized he needed more help and hired his first full-time employee in 2021.  

Then he and his team erected a new shop on his mother-in-law’s property, which he said significantly increased the scope of his operations.  

"My very first project in the new shop was fixing a trailer,” he said. "And right after that, we landed a contract for snowplow repairs for a third-party serving Boeing."  

With the expansion, Miner said he was able to diversify his business from handrails and equipment changes to more industrial jobs, including custom fabrication.  

Miner said his dedication to quality and client relationships has led to a steady demand for services.  

“But we've got to the point now like if I didn't have any work, I could make some phone calls and get to work. We have pretty good connections at a couple of businesses,” Miner said.  

Over the years, he’s cultivated strong ties with local businesses, securing ongoing work within the region. 

Despite the challenges of running a business, Miner emphasizes the importance of community connection and the willingness to give back. Recently, he made a custom-made shelf for the silent auction stand for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin Barbie Dream Auction.  

"It's essential to support our community," he said.  

He firmly believes that these efforts not only uplift the community but also foster goodwill towards his business. Miner said that he has helped set up the buddy walk for Down Syndrome awareness.  

However, Miner Services LLC hasn't been without stress.  

“Like many business owners, I’ve struggled with finances and the unpredictability of cash flow,” Miner said.  

The pressures of overdue invoices and inconsistent payments from larger contracts can be daunting, according to Miner. Yet, Miner said he remains steadfast and eager to push forward.  

As he continues to grow his brand and expand his business, Miner said he has the spirit of determination and resilience, demonstrating that with hard work and a solid support system, success is achievable. 

 "At the end of the day, this journey has been about building something that my family can be proud of and knowing that we did it from scratch,” he said. 

Despite the challenges of overhead expenses and unpaid invoices, Miner said his perseverance and dedication have continued.  

“This year, we’re on track to probably get close to $700,000 in revenue,” he said.

The company’s financial growth is a testament to the hard work that underpins Miner Services' LLC operations. However, Miner said he remains grounded.  

“I don’t want to be a mediocre business,” he said. “I want to keep growing, hiring more employees and expanding our projects.” 

Married with a young son, Miner said he balances his career while nurturing his family. His wife plays a pivotal role in managing contracts, invoicing and communication.  

“She handles all of the contracts and emails, helping me focus on growth,” he said. 

Looking ahead, Miner said he is eager to continue expanding his operations and enhancing his reputation within the industry.  

“My ultimate goal is to have more employees and a larger shop while maintaining the quality of service we provide,” he said. “I want my son to know that working hard can lead to success, even if the journey is fraught with obstacles.” 

Miner Services, LLC
Moses Lake
509-750-1406
minerservicesllc.com
minerservices@gmail.com

    The initial cutout of the Barbie stand Seth Miner made for The Boys and Girls Club of Grant County.
  

    Seth Miner, owner of Miner Services LLC, delivers the pink Barbie shelf to the Boys and Girls Club of Grant County for their silent auction.
  

    Seth Miner delivers a sign for Beyond Beautiful Salon. Miner owns Miner’s Services LLC and has made several signs for various businesses across Grant, Adams and Benton County.
  

    Seth Miner drives a custom truck around Moses Lake, all his vehicles have the signature “Miner Services” words imprinted in the front. “I pay a lot for advertising, I drive a lot, why not drive with an advertisement of my work?” Miner said.
  

    Seth Miner, owner of Miner’s Services LLC, has stepped back from the actually welding after hiring two full-time employees. Now Miner said he focuses on the backend of the business more than the labor.
  

    Seth Miner, owner of Miner’s Services LLC, works from a shop located on his mother-in-law’s property. He said the shop has allowed for a lot of projects; he previously would not have been able to handle from his garage in Moses Lake.
  

    Seth Miner of Miner Services LLC won first place for the off-road category at the May 25 Lakesiders Car Club SpringFest car show.
  

    Miners Services LLC originally started as a handrail business because of the demand of handrails but it has quickly expanded to industrial projects.