Sawmill Business Podcast

On today's show, we get to know Vinny Walsh of Walsh Woodworks. Vinny is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vinny started Walsh Woodworks in 2016. He wanted to return to his upbringing working on the sawmill. In this podcast we will learn How Vinny Walsh set up his sawmill business after 18 years working in the film industryWhat Vinny loves about working with woodHow Granberg tools compliment and enhance his work How And Why Vinny Walsh Set Up Walsh Woodworks Vinny's father was a carpenter and a young 8 year old Vinny would work with him during the summer. Vinny spent 18 years in the film industry working as a lighting technician before setting up Walsh Woodworks in his home town, Michigan back in 2016. He was shocked at the cost of lumber board when he went to buy maple Boards from a local supplier for a picture frame project. This inspired Vinny to source his material from scratch and cut it himself. What Inspires Vinny Walsh? Vinny gets inspired by the entire process of sourcing wood from trees and cutting

The Sawmill Business Podcast: Interview With Daniel West of Big Ass Slabs In this episode, we are introduced to Daniel West of Big Ass Slabs Chainsaw,Milling & Timber works just outside London, Ontario, Canada. Daniel operates a 60 inch Granberg Alaskan sawmill plus a 48 inch model for smaller logs. He works with a local network of sawmills and furniture makers who each specialise in a particular aspect of the production chain. How Daniel Got Into The Sawmill Business Daniel has been running Big Ass Slabs for a year or so. Prior to that he worked for a local farmer with an older Woodmeiser LP40 model. Daniel has 14 years worth of experience in sawing and now works for himself as part of his extended network in London, Ontario, Canada What Chainsaw Milling Means To Daniel For Daniel, chainsaw milling is an opportunity to make use of logs and trees normally used for firewood and produce stunning slabs from them. Through his work, Daniel helps protect the environment by making good use of potential wast

The Sawmill Business Podcast With Special Guest: Erik Granberg In this episode of The Sawmill Business Podcast our host, Steve introduces his guest, Erik Granberg. Erik is the president of Granberg International, the founders of the original Alaskan Sawmill. Introductions Erik talks about the new initiatives currently happening at Granberg International including CNC technology, new packaging for sawmills up to 36 inches in length, a new design on the mill and increased productivity.   The History Of Granberg Erik talks of his father Elof's invention of a chainsaw sharpener in the early 50s. Erik's father was a logger from British Columbia and one of the first to carry the portable chainsaws we see today. The sharpener would clap on to the saw bar allowing quicker and more efficient filing of chains that led to a large increase in production throughout the sawmill industry. This turned into a business beginning in 1954/55 with product sales in Canada and California which became large scale with the intro

In this episode we talk with Mark Sundermeier and his business AA Wood products. Check him out at http://www.aawoodproducts.biz/ or on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aawoodproducts/

In this week's episode, we interview Joseph Nefsky from Out of the Woods Custom Woodworking out of Ontario, Canada. In this episode, Joseph talks about how he's used Instagram to grow his following, to learn new skills, document projects, and connect and get motivated with the woodworking and sawmill business community. If you want to learn specifically how to grow your following, listen to this. Follow him at http://instagram.com/outofthewoods.

In this episode of the Sawmill Business Podcast, we interview Eric Florip of Florip Toolworks! Eric drops a ton of knowledge about how he got started in the business, how he diversifies his income by buying and selling wood, making tools, and leveraging digital technology to grow revenue. This is a great episode and super inspiring for those who aspire to be a tree hustler! Follow him on Instagram.

In this episode, President of Far West Forest Products, Jennifer Alger breaks down how she runs her business, how she spends her time and gives the blueprint and plan to start your own sawmill business. She's also the exclusive Woodmizer sales person for California and Nevada so she has a ton of experience finding the right sawmill for people and has educated and taught people how to get started. This is a great episode. Give it a listen. Also follow them on instagram.

This episode we talk with Matt Cremona, a woodworker and youtube personality. In this show you'll learn how he turned turned being laid off from work into an opportunity to start his woodworking business. He also talks about how he uses his youtube and social media for building his audience and selling more products. Lastly, you'll learn how he generates most of his revenue, just by being himself and sharing what he learning. This was an incredibly inspiring episode and I hope you found some value.

In this week's episode we're thrilled to interview Cliff Spencer from Alasaw aka The Alabama Sawyer. Fresh off winning a $100,000 business plan competition where he beat out tech companies, Cliff talks passionately about how the urban lumber movement is on the rise and how he's positioning his company and his brand to take advantage of it. Cliff moved from the Los Angeles area where he was a cabinet and furniture maker to his home state of Alabama with his family to pursue his vision of creating a furniture line out of urban timber. This is easily one of my favorite interviews. Listen and enjoy! 

This week's episode we interview Charles DeGreek from Knotthead Custom Sawing. Based in Northern California, Charles and his family run this small but growing sawmilling operation. Listen as he talks about his process for getting customers, how he spends his time, and what the future looks like for him. Check out his website: www.knottheadcustomsawing.com Check out his instagram: www.instagram.com/knottheadcustomsawing

In this week's episode we talk with a real industry leader. Jim Birkemeier of Timbergreen Farm in Wisconsin has been a forester for 40 years. He runs a family farm and that is a new alternative to the timber industry. His philosophy is to keep local trees in the community and support the people and the economy with it. In this longer interview we talk with him about his background, business model, and Jim gives so much value that he essentially talks about how to build a multiple six figure wood business. We're grateful and honored to have him on the show. Let us know what you think.

In this episode, we talk with Seth San Filippo who's the owner of Urban Lumber Company. In this longer episode we go into his history, the risks he takes, the products he sells, and his strategy for growing his business. This episode is full of value and inspiration. Leave a comment below and tell us what you think. Check out his website: https://urbanlumber.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanlumberco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanLumberCo

This episode we interview Chad from West Coast Custom Timber. Relatively new to the industry, Chad talks about how he got started, how he's spending his time, and how he's growing his business in Vancouver Island, Canada! Check out his great website at http://westcoastcustomtimber.ca and his Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/westcoastcustomtimber/

Get an inside look at how a former retired city worker is building a prolific and profitable portable sawmill business. Hear how he started, his partnerships, and what tools he used to grow his business. Aaron is a client of Sawmill Business. Check out his website at http://crosscutlumber.com and on instagram at http://instagram.com/crosscutlumber. 

We had the chance to talk with Ted Alexander. I discovered him on Instagram and found out that he has a pretty prolific Youtube following with over 5000 subscribers. He talks about how he just got into woodworking, sawmill business, and his biggest mistake so far that set his business back.

This episode we spoke with Megan Offner of NY Heartwood. She used to work in NYC as a set designer. After seeing the amount of waste in that industry, she devoted the next phase of her career to working in a sustainable way. She learned about the sawmill industry and low and behold, she went full tilt on building a really cool business. Her business consists of custom milling projects, finished products, and projects for corporate clients. She is an amazing and inspiring entrepreneur. Give it a listen and check out her instagram.

I interview Nathan Brown the founder and owner of Old World Timber. They are one of the largest reclaim businesses in the world. Here about Nathan's beginnings, how he grew his business, and where he thinks the industry is going. Really inspiring stuff! 

In this episode, we talk with Jason Hibbs of Bourbon Moth. He runs a woodworking shop and handmade goods business with his wife in Oregon. Hear about his history, how he markets his business, and what he does to stay ahead product wise. He's got an amazing and nicely curated Instagram account that drives a ton of business towards him. Check out this great interview.

In this episode, we talk with Brandon Craven of J and B Wood Products out of Northern California. He and his business partner have been in open for shop for just a short period of time. Here him talks about why he got started and what their goals are. 

In this episode, your host, Steve talks about how and why he started the Sawmill Business instagram account and the podcast.