The Craft And Business Podcast

Eric Sirois
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

Real conversations with working craftspeople who've turned their skills into a business that serves others and generates a full-time income. Each episode dives into the stories, struggles, and strategies behind building a business around your craft—without losing the passion that got you started. From furniture makers to boatbuilders, we explore how they got started, the lessons they've learned, and the changes that gave them more freedom and fulfillment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, you'll hear practical advice, honest experiences, and ideas you can actually use. Follow along for tools, insights, and inspiration to help you build a business that works for you—so you can spend more time doing what you love, and less time stuck in the grind.

  1. Most CABINET companies FAIL for this ONE reason!

    Feb 25

    Most CABINET companies FAIL for this ONE reason!

    There's a difference between knowing how to build cabinets… and knowing how to build a business. Join The Workbench Society: https://the-workbench-society.circle.so/checkout/the-workbench-society In this episode, I sit down with Elliot and Greg from Chapel Cabinetry to talk about what actually moves a trades business forward. They started doing volume work. Competing on price. Staying busy. Then 2008 hit and relying on one client nearly took them out. Follow Chapel Cabinetry: https://chapelcabinetry.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@Chapel.Cabinetry/videos https://www.instagram.com/chapel.cabinetry/ We talk about what changed: • Why being "the cheap guy" has a ceiling • Planning for custom work instead of guessing • Hiring and training young guys the right way • Using tech without losing craftsmanship • Why understanding your numbers matters • Competing with your standards — not your competition   Growth doesn't feel comfortable. It feels risky.  But if you want better clients, better margins, and something sustainable you have to build it intentionally. Don't build your business alone... Join The Workbench Society: https://the-workbench-society.circle.so/checkout/the-workbench-society

    44 min
  2. The Mistakes That Almost Killed My Business (and What Finally Fixed It)

    Feb 25

    The Mistakes That Almost Killed My Business (and What Finally Fixed It)

    In this episode of The Craft & Business Podcast, Eric sits down with Aaron Moore of Moore's Refinishing to unpack what it actually takes to build a long-lasting, craft-based business—without shortcuts, hype, or outside funding. Aaron shares his journey from sweeping floors in a piano refinishing shop to buying his first business at 23, sleeping on a shop floor in his twenties, navigating unpaid taxes, a repossessed truck, and eventually building a stable, respected operation that's lasted over 16 years. The conversation goes deep into the realities most tradespeople don't talk about: cash flow, pricing fear, imposter syndrome, business structure, hiring mistakes, insurance gaps, and the hard-earned lessons that only come from staying in the game long enough. This episode also explores how a near-fatal heart attack forced Aaron to rethink sustainability, legacy, and knowledge transfer—ultimately leading to documented processes, education, and a new digital arm of his business focused on helping other craftsmen collapse time and avoid costly mistakes. This is a candid, practical conversation for anyone building a business with their hands and wondering how to make it last. https://www.instagram.com/moores_refinishing/ https://www.mooresrefinishing.com/ Aaron's Communities: Revive & Refine https: https://www.skool.com/furniturenetwork/about?ref=36ba1ffbbc0b499790dc8c2e2543e978 Moore's Furniture Network: https://www.skool.com/furniturenetwork/about?ref=36ba1ffbbc0b499790dc8c2e2543e978 My Links: How to get clients & customers for FREE! https://youtu.be/V5V0Kgvpoe0 Check out the after show in the membership community... Support the Podcast & Join the Community: https://the-workbench-society.circle.so/checkout/the-workbench-society Topics Covered: -Getting started in the trades without college or capital -Buying a business young and earning customer trust -Overcoming imposter syndrome as a young craftsman -Pricing fear and learning to quote profitably -Cash flow versus profit (and why businesses really fail) -Early mistakes with taxes, insurance, and legal structure -Why more employees didn't equal more profit -The hidden cost of being the bottleneck in your own shop -Lessons from a heart attack that changed everything -Turning lived experience into systems, SOPs, and education -Using content and relationships instead of paid ads -Building a business that survives—and serves—long term How to get clients & customers for FREE! https://youtu.be/V5V0Kgvpoe0 Support the Podcast & Join the Community: https://the-workbench-society.circle.so/checkout/the-workbench-society

    1h 32m
  3. The jobs you turn down will shape your business faster than the jobs you take

    Feb 25

    The jobs you turn down will shape your business faster than the jobs you take

    In this in-person episode of The Craft & Business Podcast, host Eric Sirois sits down with Hammer & Bell to talk about building a high end woodworking business specializing in custom staircases and architectural millwork. Hammer & Bell share how they found a profitable niche in the high-end stair market, why they say "no" to certain jobs (even a $100,000 door package), and what it really takes to run a sustainable carpentry business without burning out. If you're a woodworker, carpenter, stair builder, trim carpenter, cabinetmaker, millwork shop owner, or a tradesperson trying to turn your skills into a real company, this conversation covers the craft, the operations, and the business decisions that matter. https://www.instagram.com/hammerandbell https://www.hammerandbelldesign-build.com https://www.instagram.com/competentwoodworks https://www.competentwoodworks.com How to get clients & customers for FREE! https://youtu.be/V5V0Kgvpoe0 Support the Podcast & Join the Community: https://the-workbench-society.circle.so/checkout/the-workbench-society You'll hear how they approach: -Custom stairs / staircase design and why high-end stair work is hard to find (and in high demand) -Turning down work that doesn't fit your shop, tooling, or workflow (doors vs stairs, production realities) -Business growth with "measured growth" instead of over expanding (too much space, too many employees, too fast) -Pricing, bidding, and fear based decisions (underbidding, overworking, cash flow pressure) -Craftsmanship vs perfectionism (mistakes, rework, quality control, and staying human) -Smart outsourcing: what to outsource in a woodworking shop (treads, panels, veneers) vs what to keep handmade -Building systems so the business doesn't "live in your head" (repeatable processes, training, delegation) -Why having a construction lawyer, strong contracts, draw schedules, insurance, and an accountant is a competitive advantage -The power of partnership in business (complementary strengths, decision-making, and shop rhythm) Hammer & Bell also discuss mentorship, industry relationships, and what it looks like to scale a specialty trade shop while protecting your quality of life and your standards. Subscribe for more conversations with builders, makers, woodworkers, and tradespeople who make a full-time living through craftsmanship. Support the Podcast & Join the Community: https://the-workbench-society.circle.so/checkout/the-workbench-society

    1h 37m
  4. Pricing Without Apologizing: How to Charge for Skilled, Uncommon Work

    Feb 25

    Pricing Without Apologizing: How to Charge for Skilled, Uncommon Work

    What happens when your entire market disappears, almost overnight? In this episode, Eric sits down with Jesse Meyer of Pergamena, a Hudson Valley tannery with family records of working animal skins going back to 1550. Jesse is one of the only commercial parchment makers in the United States, and his story is a masterclass in what it really takes to keep a legacy craft business alive. You'll hear how a shop that once supplied leather for bowling shoes and piano action leather watched demand collapse when synthetic substitutes (like Ultrasuede) took over, forcing Jesse and his father into an uncomfortable question: shut it down, or reinvent everything. Jesse's answer came from an unexpected place: his background as a sculptor, his obsession with making a "perfect" material, and a willingness to chase niche problems other suppliers wouldn't touch—from rare-book restoration to historically accurate leathers for specialty projects. If you're a tradesperson or craft business owner, this conversation delivers practical lessons on pricing, diversification, building a pipeline, outsourcing intelligently, and staying nimble when business turns. In this episode, we cover: -Why parchment isn't paper—and why it's still in demand -The pivot that saved a multi-generation shop from going under -Filling "weird niches" as a survival strategy for small craft businesses -How to price experimentation without losing your shirt -Why detailed cost tracking (even if it's painful) changes everything  -What to outsource (bookkeeping/accounting) vs. what to keep in-house (authentic storytelling) -The hidden upside of education: workshops that create lifelong customers -The hardest problem ahead: staffing, apprenticeships, and keeping rare skills alive Connect with Jesse / Pergamena: https://www.pergamena.net https://www.instagram.com/pergamena_ny/ Visit: 11 Factory Street, Montgomery, NY How to get clients & customers for FREE! https://youtu.be/V5V0Kgvpoe0 Support the Podcast & Join the Community: https://the-workbench-society.circle.so/checkout/the-workbench-society

    1h 17m
  5. How to Build Relationships in the Maker & Trades Communities (Even If You Hate Outreach)

    12/17/2025

    How to Build Relationships in the Maker & Trades Communities (Even If You Hate Outreach)

    A conversation with Justin Mabie, the filmmaker behind Call Me Maybe, a documentary style series that tells the stories of makers, craftspeople, and builders. Justin shares how a single woodworking event sparked the idea to document the "why" behind handmade work, and how his path through the music industry, tool brands, and now his full-time role at TotalBoat shaped his approach to storytelling. Together, they dig into what it really takes to grow in a maker business today; community, consistency, content strategy, and the sometimes uncomfortable reality of sponsorships, streaming platforms, and getting paid without selling your soul. You'll hear practical insights on posting every day (without losing your mind), improving titles and thumbnails, why audio quality matters more than fancy cameras, and how to build real relationships in a community that's surprisingly supportive. Follow Justin: https: www.callmemabie.com https://www.instagram.com/_callmemabie_/  https://www.youtube.com/@UC3qzX6Nt-dtX922E6Eg_g3Q   The Craft & Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecraftandbusinesspodcast/

    57 min
  6. Why I Started THIS Podcast: The Story Of A Craftsman

    12/17/2025

    Why I Started THIS Podcast: The Story Of A Craftsman

    In this solo episode of the Craft and Business Podcast, Eric Sirois shares his personal journey from childhood tinkering with Legos to becoming a professional carpenter and woodworker. He discusses his early work experiences, the transition from being an employee to a business owner, and the challenges he faced while building his business, Rent-A-Man. Eric also explores his passion for video production and how it led him to start the Craft and Business Podcast, aimed at helping others in the trades and creative industries.

    34 min
  7. Growing A Woodcarving Business: "I should have started sooner"

    12/02/2025

    Growing A Woodcarving Business: "I should have started sooner"

    In this episode, we explore the business side of craftsmanship with David Green, a seasoned wood carver who has successfully navigated the challenges of building a craft-based business. David shares his journey from various trades to establishing his own wood carving enterprise, highlighting key lessons in pricing strategies, client negotiations, and the power of social media for business growth. Discover how David leverages collaborations and networking to expand his reach and secure high-profile projects. Gain insights into the importance of teaching and mentorship as additional revenue streams and community-building tools. Whether you're a craftsman or an entrepreneur, this episode offers practical advice on starting small, maintaining financial stability, and planning for future growth. Join us for an engaging discussion on the intersection of art, craftsmanship and business. D. Green Woodworks: Websitehttps: dgreenco.net Instagram: www.instagram.com/dgreenco Craft and Business:  www.craftandbusiness.com www.instagram.com/thecraftandbusinesspodcast

    1h 1m
  8. How To Build A Successful Woodworking Business Organically.

    12/02/2025

    How To Build A Successful Woodworking Business Organically.

    From Surviving to Thriving with Walt Primrose of Primrose Woodworks. In this episode of The Craft & Business Podcast, Walt Primrose shares how a broken elbow ended up being the turning point that took his Rhode Island woodworking business from survival mode to a thriving shop with three employees and a waiting list. Walt bootstrapped his way from carpentry to fine cabinetry, learned to find work through word-of-mouth and old-school hustle, and discovered why being in the right market matters just as much as mastering the craft. We talk about pricing with confidence, letting go of control, finding the right clients, and how patience and persistence build a name that lasts. If you're a craftsman trying to grow your business, especially while balancing the bench with the books, this one's packed with lessons that'll hit home. Where to Find Walt Instagram: @primrosewoodworks Hand Tools Page: @aworkingcollection Facebook: Primrose Woodworks

    52 min
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About

Real conversations with working craftspeople who've turned their skills into a business that serves others and generates a full-time income. Each episode dives into the stories, struggles, and strategies behind building a business around your craft—without losing the passion that got you started. From furniture makers to boatbuilders, we explore how they got started, the lessons they've learned, and the changes that gave them more freedom and fulfillment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, you'll hear practical advice, honest experiences, and ideas you can actually use. Follow along for tools, insights, and inspiration to help you build a business that works for you—so you can spend more time doing what you love, and less time stuck in the grind.

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