Father and son engaged in a learning session together
Over at FB's evening school, a father-son duo, Sigurður Brynjar Pálsson and Sölvi Steinn Sigurðsson, are honing their carpentry skills. Studying side by side, the pair are keen to collaborate on a guesthouse at their summerhouse next year.
On the business side, Sigurður, the CEO of BYKO, reveals he's always had a hankering for DIY projects, particularly around their family's summerhouse. With a past stint working for a construction contractor during his high school years, Sigurður found himself gravitating towards more office-oriented roles. But his passion for handcrafting remains, and he's diving back in at the evening school.
Meanwhile, Sölvi, a 21-year-old university student majoring in business, shares his father's knack for handwork. Although carpentry wasn't previously on his radar, an impromptu invitation from Dad changed everything. "I decided to give it a go at the spur of the moment," Sölvi says, "It's a good time with my dad."
Balancing academics with carpentry can be challenging, but Sölvi finds it a pleasant departure from textbooks. "It can still be a little stressful to find the time to do both, but you just need to be organized and look at it in a positive way," he says.
Sharing a classroom with his dad has been a unique experience for Sölvi. "It's special, but we have great fun. You see a different side of your father," he says, reflecting on the quality time they spend together. Sigurður echoes the sentiment. "We have always been close and very good friends. Studying together has been a pleasure."
In fact, they often find themselves bouncing ideas off each other, with Sölvi offering valuable insights from a fresh perspective. "I have often talked to my son when I want a second opinion," shares Sigurður, "We scrutinize the assignments, exchange opinions, and figure out a mutual conclusion. It's been very rewarding."
Both father and son are gearing up for graduation in the fall of 2023 and bracing themselves for the construction of their first big project – a guesthouse at their summerhouse. Sigurður sees this education as far more than a hobby; it's a tool to broaden his understanding of the challenges his customers face and to deliver better service at BYKO. "Every education is beneficial to people," he says, "This one will be of use to me in my current job, whether it be home maintenance or managing client projects."
For Sölvi, his studies represent a worthwhile investment in his future, regardless of his long-term career plans. "This combination of business and carpentry is definitely useful for a variety of situations, whether it be at work or when I build my own house," he says, leaving the door open to a potential 'Fathers on tour' venture someday.
In the evenings, Sigurður Brynjar Pálsson and Sölvi Steinn Sigurðsson, father and son, are using their education and self-development in carpentry as a means for personal growth, collaborating on a future guesthouse project at their summerhouse. For Sölvi, a university student majoring in business, his carpentry venture serves as a pleasant departure from academics, offering organizational skills and a unique perspective that benefits his father and their collaborative efforts.
