Building a Furniture Brand with Ethan Abramson

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteWelcome to Building YOUR Furniture Brand, a special edition episode of Building a Furniture Brand with Ethan Abramson.On this episode, we talk about Trade Discounts - the type of percentage off you can give, how to judge if a designer is eligible for a discount, when to collect official to the trade paperwork, and more.This episode guest is Paula King, co-owner and designer at Rexhill Studio.If you want to hear more about Paula and Rexhill Studio - Check out the show archives - episode 102If you want to ask your own question for a future episode, please send an email to hello@buildingafurniturebrand.com Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteWelcome to Building YOUR Furniture Brand, a special edition episode of Building a Furniture Brand with Ethan Abramson.On this episode, we talk about the good and bad of buying real estate to run your Furniture Business out of. This episode guest is Paul Mencel Owner of Philadelphia Table Company and dreamandbuild.com. If you want to hear more about Paul and Philadelphia Table Company - Check out the show archives - episode 89More information on Paul, his company, and his mentorships can also be found at these links -www.philadelphiatablecompany.comhttps://www.skool.com/handcraftedsuccessIf you want to ask your own question for a future episode, please send an email to hello@buildingafurniturebrand.com Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteOn this episode I sit down with Vanessa Branco, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for SUNBOLT. If you want to hear the full story behind how Vanessa got started, check out the show archives - episode 173.When do you start charging a client? It is not always an easy answer. Too soon and they could be scared off, too late and you could be doing a lot of work for free. That balance is what you learn over time as your company and your own confidence grows.On today's show, Vanessa shares her first stumbles and how she got past those struggles to the place she is today.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteVanessa has spent her career in marketing. In the furniture world for SunBolt, and in other industries as well. And she has found that marketing, no matter what type of brand you are working with, comes down to a few important keys - having a good team, believing in your product, keeping an open mind to advice, and more.One this episode Vanessa talks through these topics and shares her advice on helping your company achieve its marketing goals.Follow along as we talk about telling a good story, how marketing has changed, understanding your brand better, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteOn this episode I sit down with Robby Simon, owner of play.room. If you want to hear the full story behind how play.room got started, check out the show archives - episode 171Sometimes we take on projects above our building capabilities, above our physical or mental capacities, projects that for one reason or another are, simply put, just above our skill level at the time.Projects like this can be a make or break for a furniture company. If you finish it successfully, you have moved your business forward. But, if it beats you, then there is a good chance it is going to set you back.On this episode, Robby takes on a massive build, which is also a massive gamble with his business' chance of success. The story of how he worked through those challenges is what we talk about today.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteIt has been a journey for Robby to get to where he is today, both on the professional and personal level. But, with the idea that life imitates art, one could look at his life and his art and say that he has come through that journey and is now standing tall on the other side.With his own design voice, his own design style, and his own approach to running his business, he is steadily making a name for himself in this industry. But, even with all his individuality, he will still be the first to point out that he couldn't be where he is today, without all the people who have helped him on his road.Follow along as we talk about creative freedoms, working a full time job, staying true to yourself and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteOn this episode I sit down with Warren Turnbull, owner of Hutch Custom. If you want to hear the full story behind how Hutch Custom got started, check out the show archives - episode 169Another episode about contract issues. Sometimes, honestly, it feels like I just hit repeat on these episodes. But getting burned without a contract is something that it seems happens to everyone starting out. And it can definitely be traumatic. But truthfully, there is no shame in it. It's almost like burning your hand the first time you touch fire. No matter how many times people tell you, you won't learn till it happens directly to you.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteWarren is involved in a little bit of a juggling act. He has 2 building businesses, commercial and hand made as you will hear, as well as a full family life. And they all take time during his busy day.In the furniture industry, it is hard to be spread thin and still be successful. And so Warren is learning to take the parts that work in both of his companies and combine them in a way that will keep him motivated, pay his bills, and make him happy. So he can give himself true quality time with what means the most to him, his family.Follow along as we talk about work life balance, the imperfections in hand made, understanding impostor syndrome, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteOn this episode I sit down with Cara Molitor and Rick Morchesky, co owners of Dollyfox. If you want to hear the full story behind how Dollyfox got started, check out the show archives - episode 167Contracts. We have talked about them on this show before, and they will inevitably come up again. They are important, but you never realize how important they are, until you get burned for not having one.Cara and Rick learned this lesson the hard way, as most often do. But they took it in stride, and as the resourceful business owners they are, learned how to make it a strong point in their business rather than a fault, to keep their company moving forward successfully.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - use code - Ethan10 - at checkout for 10% off the full bitsbits.com websiteCara and Rick had been successfully working in the metal industry, each independently, for 7 years before they met. But when they came together, that's when things really started to take off.Now, relying on each other's strong points and understanding each other's weaknesses, they are continuing to build on the skill sets both their backgrounds brought to the table. Blending those to grow their metal shop in the image of what they both want out of a business.Follow along as we talk about working together for quality results, when is the right time to get paid, why just going for it is sometimes the best advice and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

On this episode I sit down with Vic Tesolin, owner of Vic Tesolin Woodworks.If you want to hear the full story behind how Vic Tesolin Woodworks got started, check out the show archives - episode 165In this industry, you never stop learning. As your craft continues to evolve, so does your thirst for knowledge. But when you are starting out, that knowledge barrier - of what you know and what you don't - is pretty apparent. And it can show up in your earlier work in ways you certainly don't want it to. That's what happened to Vic, when his commissioned tables, didn't hold up as well as he imagined they would.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Vic wears a lot of hats. Furniture maker, teacher, writer, speaker, the list goes on. Chances are, if you have spent time reading about woodworking you have probably read something he has written.Being around so many furniture makers and understanding furniture at a deep enough level to not only write about it but to also teach it to others (and let's not forget building impressive furniture in his own right) has given Vic a perspective on the industry that many aim for but not all achieve. A perspective that he gladly shares in this episode.Follow along as we talk about learning to have an ego, how important mistakes are, why showing up can be your greatest skill, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

On this episode I sit down with Candice Luter, owner of Candice Luter Art + Interiors If you want to hear the full story behind how Candice Luter Art + Interiors got started - check out the show archives - episode 163Sometimes, your biggest obstacle turns out to be your biggest win. Thats what happened with Candice and one of her products. Instead of giving up and counting her damaged materials as a loss, she went outside the box to find a solution to her problem. And that solution, well, it took her farther than she ever thought possible.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Candice follows her heart, and it has taken her to some very impressive places - both in design and in business. As you will hear, her company started out not even really as an idea, it was just a feeling that she needed to create something.But from that first spark, she has grown her company to soaring heights, building a wonderful team, appearing in some of the most respected publications out there, and working with some of the biggest retailers in the world. All doing so, by following her own compass and making her own way.Follow along as we talk about, believing in your own vision, how to treat your team with respect, failure being the road to success, and much more. Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

On this episode I sit down with Brent Biglow, owner of Biglow WoodcraftIf you want to hear the full story behind how Biglow Woodcraft got started, check out the show archives - Episode 161What keeps you up at night? If you are a furniture maker, especially one just starting out, I'm going to bet you have had some sleepless nights thinking about projects that you built being out in the world. People using them and how they are holding up.Early in his career, Brent had one of these moments. A project he built stressed him out so much that he ended up having to do something about it.That story, and the lengths he went to to fix it, is what this episode is about.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Brent has a busy 5 person company. Everybody working in sync to keep the orders on track. If you listen closely you can actually hear them all working in the background of this episode. And honestly, I think that's great because it gives a real snapshot of the way Brent sees his role in his company. He understands that as a business grows the role of the owner changes, and he doesn't want to be, in his own words, “ the bottle neck”, for production.So even when he is talking with me, he is also aware that work needs to go on. And he has built his company in a way that lets it do just that.Follow along as we talk about changing your goals, being a good boss, building a visual brand and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

On this episode I sit down with Suzi McAfee, owner of Monarch Woodworx. If you want to hear the full story behind how Monarch Woodworx got started, check out the show archives - episode 159Most furniture makers love getting orders for mass produced pieces. Not only can you batch out the work, but it means there is enough demand for your work that multiple people or places want it. Suzi's first production run started out like a dream, which quickly turned into a nightmare. But would an unhappy commercial client, a literal no shipping zone, and a global pandemic be enough to stop her from making things right? That story, and the unexpected results that followed is what this episode is about. Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Suzi has grown her South Africa based furniture company to where it is today, not by taking shortcuts, but by fully immersing herself in the world of furniture. She loves it all, from the building, the design, and the community that surrounds the industry. Coming from a childhood with zero experience handling tools, to now running a widely successful furniture company, she has literally used her own hands to build her company into what it is today.Follow along as we talk about designing for your clients and yourself, running a business through social media, understating what to outsource and what to keep in house, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

On this episode I sit down with Ray Brents, owner of Ray Brents Design. If you want to hear the full story behind how Ray Brents Design got started - check out the show archives - episode 157Those early mistakes in your business always stick with you. Either on the business or the building end. When you have a client issue during the start of your career it can be painful and the very least and a company killer at the very most.On one of Ray's early projects, he didn't account for wood movement in his table. And when he got that client call, it was a make or break moment for himLearn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Ray understands the importance of details. Details in his workmanship, building the best furniture for his clients. Details in his design, making sure what he delivers meets with all his client's needs. Details in his business, honing his pricing, customer service, shipping, and everything else over the years that helps him keep his company running smoothly. In case you couldn't tell, details are important to Ray, and what makes his company stand out from the rest.Follow along as we talk about getting outside of your building comfort zone, the things you forget with pricing, shipping your work, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

On this episode I sit down with Aaron Moore, owner of Moore's Refinishing.If you want to hear the full story behind how Moore's Refinishing got started, check out the show archives - episode 155The start of a business is hard. Learning the skills, getting the clients, and making the money you need to keep the doors open.Although comfortably successful with money coming into his company now, at the beginning Aaron was anything but. So much so, that he had to decide if he wanted to keep the business going or have his truck repossessed.The story of how Aaron dealt with this experience is the topic of this episode.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Customer service is key, thats Aaron's business practice in a nutshell. Yes you have to be great at your job, yes you have to understand how to price your work, yes you have to know how to handle your employees, but to pull everything together and be a successful company, you need to have that customer service down to a science.For over 20 years, Aaron has been building his skills in finishing alongside his skills in keeping customers happy, while all at the same time still making the money he needs to keep his business running smoothly.Follow along as we talk about trying new things for industry growth, buying into a business vs starting from scratch, the joys of teaching your skills to others, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

We talk a lot about building a community on this show, and Austin is taking that idea and giving it a physical form. So why not celebrate that.This episode is not only a look behind the curtain at the Texas Woodworking Festival event but also an overall conversation on marketing and brand development and how you can use them both in your own business. As you might remember, Austin was on the show before, episode 137. So if you want to hear his backstory and learn more about his furniture company and the school he started (the Austin School of Furniture) please take a listen to that before you go further. For this episode, follow along as we talk about digital marketing for your business, growing your brand, the Texas Woodworking Festival origin story, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This special episode is with Mike and Michelle Ranger, owners of Ranger Home North West.If you want to hear the full story behind how Ranger Home North West got started, check out the show archives - episode 152Navigating lumber yards, and buying wood in general, isn't always the easiest thing in the world to do. No matter how many years you have done it, there are always some idiosyncrasies with each purchase that changes the final outcome you were thinking it would be.But, it gets even harder when you know something is wrong with your material, and the supplier just won't believe you.Mike and Michelle had this exact problem, when their largest order of white oak turned out to be - not exactly what they planned. This mistake from their supplier almost sunk their company, so what did they do?The story, of what Mike and Michelle did next, is what we cover in this episode.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

By focusing on a commitment to their brand, a commitment to their skills, and a commitment to each other, Mike and Michelle have been able to rapidly grow in an industry that is relatively new to them both.By still respecting the traditional ideas of furniture making, but building a brand in the digital marketing age, they are able to reach clients and expand their company in a way that would have been unheard of only a few years ago.Follow along as we talk about how to grow with your pricing, working together as a couple, learning as you go, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This special episode is with Bryan and Erin Kerr, owners of Kerr Woodworking. If you want to hear the full story, behind how Kerr Woodworking got started, check out the show archives - episode 150Bryan and Erin make beautiful furniture. The meticulous attention to detail in their work is one of the many reasons clients continue to reach out to them and how they have been successful over the years.But what about when parts of that furniture are out of their hands? When they have to source materials, and the pieces they get aren't on par with the work they need to do? As their furniture continues to rise this has become a problem for the couple. One they needed to deal with if they were to continue to be successful. The story of how Bryan and Erin are dealing with this scenario is what we cover in this episode.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

No furniture maker is an island. No matter how much you can take on yourself, at some point, you are going to need help.Although coming from different industries, Bryan and Erin understood that need. And when they started their own furniture company, recognizing their strengths and weaknesses and being the support the other needed, is how they have grown their company to where it is today.Follow along as we talk about moving in on other people's clients, keeping good notes, how much you want to grow, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This special episode is with Jay and Deb Lopez of Together We Build. If you want to hear the full story behind how Together We Build got started check out the show archives - episode 148You know those projects that start out like every other project you have done, but then one thing after another goes wrong and before you know it the whole project has completely gotten away from you?Jay and Deb had that happen to them on a Kitchen project that kept going down hill until they almost just gave up. But, did it stop them in their tracks, or did they overcome and learn from that experience so they could do better in the future? Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Jay and Deb, are a married couple but also business partners in their company, Together We Build. And, just like the name suggests, they build together. Not just the business, but the actual furniture as well.As the company has grown over the years they have grown a team around them to help with demand. But at the core of the business, it is still both of them, working side by side building quality furniture that they feel good about putting their name on.Follow along as we talk about understating the customer you want to work for, managing a company as a couple, how to break down your pricing to keep yourself safe, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This special episode is with Hunter Hedenberg, owner of Oak & Main. If you want to hear the full story, behind how Oak & Main got started - check out the show archives - episode 146Quoting and time management, no matter how much you try to avoid it, one of those two always seems to be an issue in every project.For Hunter, at the start of her company, she had a build where both quoting and time management went wrong in a big way. And as you will hear, it almost broke her physically and mentally. But as the old adage goes, what doesn't kill you makes you a better furniture business owner and so instead of breaking her, she came out of that situation learning how to run her company better going forward. Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - ONLY $1.49 for an entire year of Woodworkers Guild of America Premium Membership - go.wwgoa.com/ethan/ When you start your furniture company, it can take a few years to learn how you want to run it, the type of furniture you want to make and the type of furniture that makes you money.Hunter is going through that process right now. Getting a better understanding of her business as she gets a better understanding of the industry in general. But instead of it being a scary time, she is taking the good and bad experiences that have come her way and using everything she has learned so far to navigate her way to success.Follow along as we talk about jumping right into the industry, being trustworthy with your clients, the difference between designing and building, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - ONLY $1.49 for an entire year of Woodworkers Guild of America Premium Membership - go.wwgoa.com/ethan/ This episode is with Mike Anderson. Owner of Anderson Woodworking. If you want to hear the full story behind how Anderson Woodworking got started - Check out the show archives - episode 144Sometimes the skills you learn on the journey are even more important than the outcome of that journey. Mike learned this on an incredibly frustrating stain project that just wouldn't turn out right. But instead of just tossing it up as a wasted project, he found value in the hands-on experiences he learned during the process. And what could have been just wasted time, turned into time saving lessons for future projects.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - ONLY $1.49 for an entire year of Woodworkers Guild of America Premium Membership - go.wwgoa.com/ethan/ For some, their furniture business isn't their only job. Even though they put full time hours into it they still, for any number of reasons, keep their day job. Mike is in this exact position. He loves his furniture company, but he also loves his other job. So there is a balance that needs to be struck between his 2 jobs, his family needs, and his own need to not burn himself out.Follow along as we talk about when to find time in your day, understanding contracts before it's too late, the importance of mentorships for your business to grow and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - ONLY $1.49 for an entire year of Woodworkers Guild of America Premium Membership - go.wwgoa.com/ethan/ This episode is with Richie Duncan, owner of Kodama. If you want to hear the full story behind how KODAMA got started, check out the show archives - episode 142We all know the importance of having a contract, but few people actually use one when running their business. Or, they have one, but don't put the time or effort in to make that contract strong enough to stand up to demands put on it.Unfortunately, the importance of contracts come into play usually when it's already too late. That's what happened to Richie, when a hiring situation he was involved in turned sour.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - ONLY $1.49 for an entire year of Woodworkers Guild of America Premium Membership - go.wwgoa.com/ethan/ Richie didn't start out wanting to invent a new kind of furniture, but through a mix of his love for design, engineering background, adventurous travel, and good old gravity, he did just that. But there is a big leap from coming up with a new idea and being able to successfully manufacture and sell it.So for the last 10 years, Richie has been building and refining and learning to understand the ins and outs of the furniture industry while he continues to bring innovative furniture to market.Follow along as we talk about when to give away product, how to price for a market that doesn't exist, growing a business like a family and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - ONLY $1.49 for an entire year of Woodworkers Guild of America Premium Membership - go.wwgoa.com/ethan/ This episode is with Tim Holland, owner of TH Custom Woodwork. If you want to hear the full story behind how TH Custom Woodwork got started - Check out the show archives - episode 140We all forget measurements, we all struggle with deadlines - but when both of those come into play at once, it can be an unforgiving situation. Couple that with realizing you missed a measurement once a piece is already installed in a client's home, and you have yourself a real problem.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Special Podcast Deal - ONLY $1.49 for an entire year of Woodworkers Guild of America Premium Membership - go.wwgoa.com/ethan/ Back in 2013, when Tim started selling furniture, it was just something to do for family and friends. But as his skills grew, so did the demand for his work. And now, what started as a fun side business has been his full time job for years.But as client projects grow, so does the demand on one's time, and as a one person shop, a family man, and someone who rarely says no to projects - Tim's time has to stretch in a lot of ways.Follow along as we talk about, planning out your weeks, answering the phone, how to price quickly to keep clients interested, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This episode is with David D'Eramo, owner of Tiller Trade Co.If you want to hear the full story behind how Tiller Trade Co. got started - Check out the show archives - episode 138Deadlines, and being able to manage them can be business killers. In this episode David shares a true story example of when his company had to rush a project on site and what the not so pleasant results were. He also talks about his overall take on hard deadlines and how he thinks about them when running his business. Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

David grew up wanting to own his own shop, but as he got older his career path changed. His passion for building though, was reignited as an adult, when he saw other people building in his own home and thought, I can do that better.Now with his own company, he is living his childhood dream and making sure his clients are getting nothing less than the professionalism he would want for himself.Follow along as we talk about marking your territory, the way to advertise your company locally, how to stand out in the service industry and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

There are a lot of different ways to run a furniture company, and similarly there are a lot of different ways to have a career in the furniture industry even if you don't have a furniture business.Austin is a mix of both. Starting the Austin School of Furniture as well as running his own furniture business. He is an example of someone who took a business and marketing background and found a way to be successful in the further industry, without the traditional approach of just building furniture.Follow along as we talk about learning from books over YouTube, the importance of your embracing community, why part time might be better than full time, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This episode is with Kwadwo Som-Pimpong, owner of the furniture company Crafted Glory.If you want to hear the full story behind how Crafted Glory got started - Check out the show archives - episode 135Get ready for one of the most wild journeys I've ever heard a piece of furniture go on. And I really mean that. Who would have guessed that one extra long screw could turn into such an adventure. We have upset clients, shipping nightmares, car trips, planes, forklifts, this story has the works. But besides all the stress and pain this story takes, it also helped to cement the Crafted Glory ethos for the future.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Kwadwo is the definition of balancing 2 full time jobs - working for someone else as an engineer by night, and by day, he, his wife, and their employee spend their time building furniture. As the years have passed, what started as a small goods Etsy company back in 2017 has now turned into a furniture business with a strong foundation that is growing year after year. Follow along as we talk about the good and bad of Etsy, laying groundwork for a business' future, understating your pricing value, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This episode is with Bryan Ortquist Owner of the furniture company Old Mountain WoodworkingIf you want to hear the full story behind how Old Mountain Woodworking got started, check out the show archives - episode 133Bryan is a student of woodworking, and he has a lot of rules in the shop when building pieces - you have to be when you build the giant tables that he does. But his biggest rule actually came from one of his smaller tables, and it wasn't even really wood related. It came about because of a table top that no matter what he tried wouldn't stain evenly. Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

With his hands in so many different parts of the industry - furniture making, cnc work, wood milling, lumber drying, exotic imports, teaching classes, and more - Bryan has to make sure his foundation in each of these practices is solid enough that he can take on clients in any part of his business and it won't cause issues with the rest of the parts running smoothly. So how does he do it?Follow along as we talk about reaching out to community competition mindset vs creative mindset, working together with your spouse and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This episode is with Ashley Pieper, owner of the furniture company Shallow Creek Woodcraft.If you want to hear the full story behind how Shallow Creek Woodcraft got started, check out the show archives - episode 131Stress from a project is easy to see when it comes from outside influences like - materials, clients, timelines, or disasters that you never see coming. But there is also the internal stress that is less easy to quantify, but is still a major stumbling block for a projects completion.In this episode, Ashley talks about when the success of refinishing a table had less to do with what it actually looked like, and more to do with how she felt about it.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

In an industry that is leaning further and further into technology, Ashley is building her furniture business in more of a traditional way. Learning hand tool skills over machine inputs, gathering knowledge more from books than social media videos, and spending carefully considered time on her furniture rather than working towards the need it yesterday culture that many of today's production falls into. So Follow along as we talk about going to furniture school later in life, what you can learn from books, different perspectives in the trades and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This episode is with Jack Cerchiara, PhD owner of the furniture company Salish Sea WoodworksIf you want to hear the full story behind how Salish Sea Woodworks got started, check out the show archives - episode 129I don't want to ruin the story here by giving too much away at the start, but lets just say that epoxy cleanups are hard when they are in your shop...and Jack learned that they are even harder in a client's home, a very high end client's home.I can't say anymore because honestly, it stresses me out just thinking about it, so here is the story of an epoxy table that went so so wrong and what Jack did to make it right.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

From studying Penguins in Patagonia to becoming a fine furniture maker, not many people follow the career path Jack has. But a unique perspective on the industry and a client centric work ethic has allowed him to grow his passion into a sustainable business. And his commitment to understanding and sticking to his brand has let him drive his company forward while still maintaining his core identity.So Follow along as we talk about working in a small shop, teaching your clients to trust you, understanding your brand and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This episode is with Kelly and Cromwell Schupp, owners of the furniture company Rail & StileIf you want to hear the full story behind how Rail & Stile got started, check out the show archives - episode 127 Shipping furniture is always a nightmare, and even though Kelly and Cromwell put so much effort into building their company, they have still struggled with shipping just like everyone else. This is a story of how even though they hired a big time shipper, got the insurance, and made sure the piece went out correctly, they still had a terrible situation they needed to deal with. But did they let the experience ruin their reputation or did they find a way to make it right with their customer? That story, coming up, right after a quick word from our sponsors.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

Working out of a 20,000 sqft space, with 8 employees, growing steadily year over year, and debuting a brand new furniture collection - You could look at Kelly and Cromwell and say they are living the dream. But that dream didn't come easily, and even though their growth was fast, it was because they had already put in the work to make the growth possible. So It didn't matter if they were thrown into a good or difficult situation, they were set to come out stronger on the other side.Follow along as we talk about the art of shipping, who to hire to make your business run smoothly, what your clients really want, and much more.Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com

This episode is with Scott Grove, owner of the furniture company Green Grove DesignIf you want to hear the full story behind how Green Grove Design got started, check out the show archives - episode 125 A burnt down building, no insurance, 75k in lost materials, and more. I think we can all agree that this was not the best experience for Scott. But did this project break him, or did he rise to the occasion and keep going?Learn more at buildingafurniturebrand.com