How many builders started with uke kits?

I saw mention of ukulele kits and did some googling and eBay searching. MANY MANY kits are available for soprano-concert-tenor ukes, mandos, lutes, guitars, banjos, dulcimers, etc. Long ago I scratch-built dulcimers. I'm feeling inspired to build some custom instruments - Luthiers Mercantile International has some great-looking offerings. (Too many kits are just gluing-together pre-made parts.) Hey, I could build a flying-V-body uke! Or a twin-neck! (Combine those for an X-wing uke.)

But I digress. My question: If you're a builder here, did you start with kits? Do you keep using kits as a basis for customization? What are your favorites?

I think Brian Griffin of Griffin ukuleles started by building a Grizzly uke. He has well over 60 years of wood working experience before starting so I'm sure that helped a bit.