The Woodpreneur Podcast Acres of Timber

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Elvin Hurst, the founder of Kountry Kraft. Elvin shares his journey of building a successful kitchen cabinet business over 65 years, discussing the company's humble beginnings, growth, and the principles that have contributed to its longevity and success.






Takeaways:


Vision and ambition are essential for building a successful business.Putting customers and employees first, and oneself last is a key principle for business success.Treating customers and employees fairly and doing good work are crucial for any industry, including the wood industry.





Chapters:


Building a Legacy: The Country Craft StoryThe Power of Vision and Ambition in Business

Get a FREE Trial to our Woodpreneur Network Community and get the skills, network, and mentoring to level up your business join here: https://woodpreneurnetwork.com/


Connect with Elvin at:


https://www.instagram.com/kountrykraftcabinetry/


https://www.kountrykraft.com

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Daniel Dodd from Hudson Builders in Austin, Texas. Daniel shares the story of starting his construction business during the pandemic and the challenges he faced. He discusses the importance of customer experience and the key roles in his team. Daniel talks about his role in estimating, client interaction, and networking with architects and builders. He emphasizes the value of networking and collaboration in the Austin community. He also shares insights into the progression of his business through various projects and the importance of work-life balance and personal development.






Takeaways:


Starting a construction business during the pandemic presented unique challenges and opportunities.Customer experience is a top priority for Hudson Builders, focusing on trust, collaboration, and professionalism.The key roles in the team include a project manager and a project coordinator, each playing a crucial part in the success of the business.Networking and collaboration are valuable in the construction industry.The progression of a construction business through various projects is essential for growth.Work-life balance and personal development are important for business owners.Considerations for technology and project management are crucial in the construction industry.

Chapters:


00:00 Navigating the Pandemic: Starting a Construction Business03:01 Prioritizing Customer Experience in Construction05:57 Building a Strong Team: Key Roles and Responsibilities24:48 Project Progression and Business Growth34:23 Balancing Work and Personal Development in Construction

Get a FREE Trial to our Woodpreneur Network Community and get the skills, network, and mentoring to level up your business join here: https://woodpreneurnetwork.com/


Connect with DANIEL at:


https://www.instagram.com/hudson.builders/


https://www.hudsonbuilderstx.com

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Jo Huddle, the owner of 5'1 Perspective. Jo shares her journey as a small business owner in the woodworking industry. She discusses how she started her business during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges she faced. Jo talks about reinvesting in a laser machine to scale her business and streamline her production process. She also highlights the rewards of being able to bring her customers' visions to life and the satisfaction of creating personalized keepsakes. Jo shares her experiences with marketing and the need to improve in that area. She expresses her desire to find more passive income streams and considers the possibility of hiring help in the future. Overall, Jo's story is a testament to the resilience and creativity of small business owners.










Takeaways:


Starting a small business during challenging times is possible with determination and resourcefulness.Investing in the right tools, like a laser machine, can help streamline production and scale the business.Marketing is a crucial aspect of running a small business and requires continuous improvement and adaptation.Finding passive income streams can provide stability and growth opportunities.Knowing when to hire help and delegate tasks is essential for business growth and personal well-being.Creativity and the ability to bring customers' visions to life are rewarding aspects of being a small business owner.





Chapters:


00:00 Introduction and Background02:16 Starting a Small Business During Challenging Times03:36 Scaling and Streamlining Production with a Laser Machine09:03 The Challenges and Importance of Marketing11:17 Exploring Passive Income Opportunities11:43 Considering Hiring Help for Business Growth19:37 The Benefits of a Reliable Laser Machine26:19 Business Performance and Seasonality31:30 The Importance of Marketing and Branding33:49 Overcoming Mental Blocks and Embracing Growth39:02 Conclusion and Future Plans

Get a FREE Trial to our Woodpreneur Network Community and get the skills, network, and mentoring to level up your business join here: https://woodpreneurnetwork.com/


Connect with Jo at:


https://www.instagram.com/51perspective/

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Carter C from 1BENMU Millworks Design & Studio. Carter started his business by building custom live edge tables. He then transitioned into furniture making and eventually embraced CNC machining and software technology for custom millwork. He emphasized the importance of value-added products and efficient processes. Carter's company focuses on commercial projects and offers project management services. They also specialize in micro cement finishing. Carter discussed the challenges of marketing and the need for a strong online presence.






Takeaways:


Starting small and building a reputation for quality can lead to business growth.Embracing technology can streamline processes and improve efficiency.Value-added products are essential for sustainability in the market.Project management services can enhance the customer experience.Micro cement finishing offers seamless and waterproof solutions for interior design.A strong online presence and effective marketing strategies are crucial for success.





Chapters:


00:00 From Custom Tables to Furniture Making04:02 Embracing Technology for Custom Millwork05:10 The Importance of Value-Added Products09:17 Project Management for Commercial Projects





Get a FREE Trial to our Woodpreneur Network Community and get the skills, network, and mentoring to level up your business join here: https://woodpreneurnetwork.com/


Connect with Carter at:


https://www.instagram.com/1benmu/


https://www.1benmu.com

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Peter Pomerantz, a custom cabinet maker based in Vermont. He primarily works with contractors, designers, and architects to create custom kitchen cabinetry. Peter's journey into cabinet-making started as a hobby and eventually turned into a successful business. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong team and fostering good relationships with clients. Peter's business has grown over the years, and he is currently in the process of building a new shop to accommodate the increasing demand. He is looking to expand his client base by connecting with designers and contractors in other areas.






Takeaways:


Building a strong team is crucial for the success of a business.Fostering good relationships with clients leads to word-of-mouth referrals.Scaling up and expanding a business requires careful planning and investment.Staying up-to-date with technology can give a competitive edge in the industry.Finding ways to balance work and personal interests contributes to a fulfilling life.





Chapters:


00:00 - Introduction and Background


02:59 - Building a Business and Growing the Team


09:31 - Fostering Relationships and Word-of-Mouth Referrals


13:22 - Finding Fulfillment in the Work


15:22 - Investing in Employees


25:26 - Future Plans and Growth


30:26 - Conclusion


Join our Paid Community at http://WoodpreneurNetwork.com


Connect with Peter at:


https://www.instagram.com/pomerantz_cabinetry/

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Colton Broadbent, the creative director of an architectural design firm. He shares his journey of starting the firm right out of college and how it has grown over the years. Colton emphasizes the importance of rooting designs in traditional values while also being creative and thinking outside the box. He discusses the need for the architectural industry to evolve and adapt to new technology and resources, while also focusing on education and creativity. Colton shares his goal of helping change the culture of architectural design and ushering in a renaissance of better design. He also talks about the impact of architecture on mental health and the importance of creating inspiring spaces.






Takeaways:


Starting an architectural design firm right out of college is possible and can lead to significant growth.Rooting designs in traditional values while being creative and thinking outside the box is a winning combination.The architectural industry needs to evolve and adapt to new technology and resources, while also focusing on education and creativity.Changing the culture of architectural design and ushering in a renaissance of better design is a goal worth pursuing.Architecture has a significant impact on mental health, and creating inspiring spaces is essential.





Chapters:


00:00 - Starting an Architectural Design Firm


04:01 - Rooted in Tradition, Creative in Design


08:49 - Evolution and Education in Architectural Design


13:22 - Changing the Culture of Architectural Design


26:15 - Balancing Online Presence and Design Work


33:17 - Spreading the Word and Inspiring Others


Join our Paid Community at http://WoodpreneurNetwork.com


Connect with Colton at:


https://www.instagram.com/cbroadbentdesign/