Sawmill Business Podcast

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere interviews Dan Sullivan, the founder of Navillus Woodworks. Dan shares his journey from starting a remodelling business to transitioning into custom fabrication and woodworking. He discusses the importance of building a strong team, the challenges of marketing in a competitive landscape, and the artistry involved in creating custom furniture. The conversation also covers daily operations, management strategies, and navigating the furniture market, offering valuable insights for aspiring woodworkers and business owners. Takeaways Navillus Woodworks focuses on custom fabrication and millwork, blending artistic influences with practical design. Building a trusted team and securing strong client relationships have been key to Dan Sullivan's success. Effective marketing and compelling designs help Navillus stand out in a competitive furniture market. Organic growth and collaboration with artists enhance both project quality and business reac

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere speaks with Garrett Magnuson from Raw Heartwood, a log-to-table woodworking company. Garrett shares his journey into woodworking, the challenges he faced in the early years of his business, and how he found his passion for creating beautiful wood products. The conversation explores the daily operations of Raw Heartwood, the importance of mentorship, and the lessons Garrett has learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey. They also discuss marketing strategies, community engagement, and future growth opportunities for the business. Takeaways: Raw Heartwood processes wood from logs to finished pieces.Garrett transitioned to woodworking after working as a park foreman.Woodworking is challenging but fulfilling.Garrett’s passion lies in transforming raw wood into art.He enjoys every part of the business, from milling to epoxy tables.COVID-19 created early business challenges.Community engagement is key to Raw Heartwood’s success.Mentorship h

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere interviews Cody Powers from Cap Artistry, who shares his inspiring journey from working in a hospital to becoming a successful furniture maker. Cody discusses his challenges, the importance of networking, and the breakthroughs that have driven his business growth. He emphasizes the value of community support and the mindset shifts that have propelled him forward. Cody also outlines his future goals and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the woodworking industry. Takeaways: Cody transitioned from a hospital job to woodworking, finding initial success on Etsy.Networking and community support were crucial to his growth.Embracing vulnerability and self-belief helped drive his business forward.Cody aims to establish a recognized American-made, tree-to-table furniture brand. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Cody Powers and His Journey02:39 - Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence06:05 - The Impact

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere speaks with Austin Waldo about the Texas Woodworking Festival, its origins, growth, and the vibrant community it fosters. Austin shares insights into what attendees can expect, the festival’s target audience, and the importance of community in woodworking. He discusses new features for the festival, including digital ticketing and educational sessions, as well as trends in the woodworking industry, particularly the integration of technology. The conversation concludes with details about the upcoming event and an invitation for woodworking enthusiasts to connect and participate. Takeaways: The Texas Woodworking Festival started as a community event.Austin runs a woodworking club and a school.The festival has doubled in attendance each year.Expect hands-on experiences and tool demonstrations.The festival caters to hobbyists and small professionals.Community building is a key focus of the festival.New digital features will enhance accessibili

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Janice, also known as The Knotty Contessa, about her journey from broadcasting to woodworking and how it has positively impacted her mental health. What began as a hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic quickly evolved into a thriving business. Janice now runs a storefront and workshop, where she creates custom wood products and offers on-site engraving services. One of the key factors in her business growth has been word of mouth, but Janice is also eager to expand her digital marketing efforts. Her top-selling products include cribbage boards, charcuterie boards, welcome signs, and engraved Yeti cups. She also shares the lessons she’s learned as an entrepreneur—most notably, the importance of staying open to change and growth. Janice discusses her decision to use CanCam equipment in her shop and the learning curve that came with it. She’s also added laser engraving to her services, which has opened new business opportunities, especially with corporate clie

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Joe Paonessa, who shares the backstory of EdgeCroft, a CNC and injection molding business located in Tennessee. The business began as an expansion of Joe's existing CNC business in Toronto. Joe discusses how he entered the field and the challenges he faced in financing and finding a building in a new country. He also talks about the business's growth and the opportunities explored, particularly in the boating industry. Joe offers marketing advice, suggesting partnerships with interior designers or social influencers to create a high-end outdoor collection. Takeaways: Edgecroft is a CNC and injection molding business in Tennessee, initially an expansion of Joe's Toronto-based CNC business. Joe faced challenges in financing and locating a building in a new country, ultimately securing one through seller financing. The business has grown by expanding its customer base and exploring opportunities in the boating industry. Joe recommends partnering with interior

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Joey Kochlacs of Santa Cruz Sustainable Sawmill. Joey shares his journey in the wood industry, from milling and selling raw wood to crafting high-end furniture and premium guitar tops. Recently, he took a significant step by forming an LLC to expand his business, bringing on new team members in the process. While he primarily markets his products through Instagram and word of mouth, Joey is now seeking strategies to attract high-end clients, especially in a challenging economy. Steve suggests focusing on brand building, creating a strong community, and targeting affluent individuals and high-end furniture makers. You can find more about Joey's work at kochlacswood.com. Key Takeaways: Joey Kochlacs has operated under the name Cokeless Wood for the past 10 years and recently established his LLC, Santa Cruz Sustainable Sawmill.He sources logs from tree services and property owners, milling them into high-end wood products, including furniture and guitar tops.

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Jamie Stebenne, owner of JPS Construction and Design, as he shares the journey of starting and growing his construction business. Jamie discusses how he entered the industry, the niche he carved out in high-end residential projects, and the crucial role that design plays in his work. He also delves into the challenges of project management and the strategies his team employs to improve efficiency. Jamie provides insights on leadership development, effective client communication, and recognizing the early signs of a project going off track. Additionally, he highlights the importance of building strong relationships and leveraging word-of-mouth referrals to acquire new clients. Jamie also shares his future plans, which include expanding the business into property management and interior design. Takeaways Finding a niche in high-end residential projects can help sustain a construction business during economic downturns.Design is a crucial aspect of construction,

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Ben Deumling from Zena Forest Products as he discusses the journey of his company, which specializes in producing hardwood flooring from Oregon oak. The business started as a way to utilize the oak trees on their family’s forest lands and has grown into a vertically integrated operation. They have developed the infrastructure to process hardwoods, with a primary focus on producing hardwood flooring. A pivotal moment for the company was securing a contract to provide flooring for the Portland airport, which led to the development of a new type of flooring. Zena Forest Products is now focused on scaling and marketing this innovative product. Takeaways Zena Forest Products is a vertically integrated company that specializes in producing hardwood flooring from Oregon oak.The company started by utilizing oak trees from their family forest lands and has grown significantly over the years.Securing a contract to provide flooring for the Portland airport was a pivo

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Corey Tighe, owner of CT Woodwork, as he shares his journey of starting a woodworking business and teaching woodworking classes. He began working full-time in 2019 and has since grown his business by offering a variety of services, including custom furniture, built-ins, and classes. Corey finds teaching to be the most rewarding aspect of his business and has fostered a positive, collaborative community in his shop. He emphasizes the importance of word-of-mouth referrals and has recently started using Google Ads to promote his classes. Corey’s future plans include expanding his services to offer lumber milling and promoting his business on Instagram. Takeaways Starting a woodworking business requires bold moves and finding ways to balance different income streams.Teaching woodworking classes can be both rewarding and profitable.Word-of-mouth referrals and local connections are essential for growing a woodworking business.Expanding services, such as lumber m

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Matthew Gutchess from Gutchess Lumber. They discuss the company's 120-year history, which began in 1904, and its evolution from building barns to manufacturing kiln-dried hardwood lumber. Gutchess Lumber now produces 100 million feet of lumber annually and employs 460 people across seven locations. Gutchess emphasizes the importance of storytelling in educating consumers about the environmental benefits of hardwoods, such as carbon sequestration. He also highlights their ESOP model, which involves employees owning 30% of the business. The conversation concludes with advice on leveraging social media and content creation to enhance the company's brand and customer engagement. Key Takeaways: Use storytelling to promote Gutchess Lumber and educate consumers.Create a media department or branded content like "Gutches TV."Write a book to document the company's history.Highlight hardwoods' environmental benefits to strengthen the brand.An ESOP model can boost empl

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews John Bohman, a carpenter and furniture maker. John shares his journey of starting and growing his business. He discusses the challenges he faced, the mistakes he made, and the lessons he learned along the way. Bohman emphasizes the importance of finding one's specialization and focusing on it, as well as the value of word-of-mouth marketing and building a strong reputation. He also highlights the significance of work-life balance and the impact of family on his success. Bohman shares his passion for creating unique, custom furniture pieces and his joy in making sales and seeing clients excited about his work. Key Takeaways: Finding a specialization and focusing on it can lead to business success.Word-of-mouth marketing and building a strong reputation are effective for attracting clients.Maintaining work-life balance is crucial for overall success and well-being.Passion for the work and the joy of making sales can drive motivation and satisfaction.Learning

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Shaun Burroughs from Build Nashville. Shaun shares his journey of starting a construction company in Nashville and growing it into a successful custom home-building business. He discusses the challenges he faced, including a lawsuit on his first deal, and how he overcame them. Shaun emphasizes the importance of attention to detail and incorporating unique design features in his homes, which has helped him stand out in the market. He also highlights the need for consistent communication and problem-solving when managing multiple builds simultaneously. Takeaways: Starting a construction company at a young age and learning on the job.Overcoming challenges and setbacks, such as a lawsuit on the first deal.The importance of attention to detail and unique design features in custom home building.The need for consistent communication and problem-solving when managing multiple builds. Chapters: 00:00 Starting in Construction02:38 Building a Successful Construction

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Tom Addison, a furniture maker, who shares his journey in the industry and his passion for creating unique, handcrafted pieces. He began his career as an apprentice, gaining valuable experience working alongside skilled craftsmen. Tom emphasizes the importance of networking and building a social media presence to attract clients. He discusses the challenges of balancing work and personal life and his satisfaction in delivering high-quality furniture. Tom also explores the potential for collaborations with interior designers and draws inspiration from the beautiful countryside where his workshop is located. Takeaways: Building a social media presence and marketing oneself online can help attract clients and generate sales.Word-of-mouth referrals and personal connections are valuable in the furniture-making industry.Balancing work and personal life can be challenging but is crucial for overall well-being.Collaborating with professionals like interior designers c

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Adam Hicks, founder of Cooper Build, who shares his journey from finance to real estate development and contracting. He started Cooper Build to address his challenges with property renovations. Over the years, the business has evolved into a customer-facing general contracting and millwork operation in New York City and the Hamptons. Adam discusses the challenges of managing costs and delivering value to clients in the expensive New York City market. He also highlights the importance of continuous learning and adapting to different trades and processes in the construction industry. Takeaways: Cooper Build was founded to solve Adam Hicks' challenges with property renovations.Managing costs and providing value for clients is a continuous challenge in the costly New York City market.Continuous learning and adaptability are essential in the construction industry.Building a strong network and forging relationships with architects and designers is key to success in

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Adam from Pompous Fox Wood Co. Adam shares his journey of starting a high-end luxury furniture business, from crafting furniture in his garage to leaving his engineering career and launching his shop. He discusses the challenges he faced, such as targeting interior designers as clients and investing in machinery. Adam also talks about hiring employees and stresses the importance of budgeting and saving. He shares his marketing strategies, including cold calling and attending trade shows, and provides insights into the custom furniture industry. Takeaways: Starting a niche business demands passion, determination, and hard work.Targeting interior designers can yield substantial sales for high-end furniture.Budgeting and saving are critical when transitioning from a full-time job to entrepreneurship.Investing in machinery enhances workshop efficiency and product quality.Cold calling and attending trade shows are effective for client acquisition.Continuous employe

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Nate Schuele, the owner of Full Tilt Timber Framing, a traditional timber framing company specializing in mortise and tenon joinery. Nate learned the craft from his father and has been running the business since 2019. He primarily generates leads through Instagram and collaborates with general contractors on timber design elements that are too complicated for them to execute. Nate has invested heavily in tools and is constantly working on improving his skills. He also has plans to expand his business into mass timber production and is considering investing in a CNC machine. Takeaways: Traditional timber framing focuses on mortise and tenon joinery and European-style designs.Instagram is a valuable platform for generating leads in the timber framing industry.Investing in tools and continuously improving skills is essential for success in the business.Expanding into mass timber production and investing in a CNC machine can open up new opportunities. Chapt

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Aaron Cash from Fine Line Millworks, who shares his journey of starting the company and navigating various challenges, including the impact of COVID-19. They focused on creating a customer-centric experience and developed a process to understand and meet their clients' needs. They also leveraged online platforms like Zoom to connect with customers and showcase their work. Through strategic partnerships and exposure on HGTV and Magnolia Network, they gained recognition and expanded their client base. Currently, they are working on developing new products and finding the balance between custom work and scalability. Takeaways: Focus on creating a customer-centric experience and understanding your clients' needs.Leverage online platforms like Zoom to connect with customers and showcase your work.Strategic partnerships and exposure on popular networks can help gain recognition and expand your client base.Find the balance between custom work and scalability to ensur

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Tedd Benson, founder of Bensonwood and Unity Homes. Tedd shares the history and mission of his companies. He discusses his passion for carpentry and timber framing and his desire to bring high-quality, energy-efficient homes to more people. Bensonwood focuses on craftsmanship and uses natural and organic materials in its building process. Unity Homes, a separate brand within the company, offers standardized, energy-efficient homes that are affordable and customizable. Benson emphasizes the importance of company culture and teamwork, aiming to create a lasting legacy. Takeaways: Tedd Benson's passion for carpentry and timber framing led him to found Bensonwood and Unity Homes.Bensonwood focuses on craftsmanship and uses natural and organic materials in its building process.Unity Homes offers standardized, energy-efficient homes that are affordable and customizable.Benson emphasizes the importance of company culture and teamwork in achieving the company's missio

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews BJ Chandler from Millhaven Homes. Millhaven Homes is a custom home builder that takes a comprehensive approach to home building, managing everything from start to finish. They offer development, plan design, interior design, landscape architecture, construction, furniture, and landscape installation services. The company evolved to address gaps in the custom home market, aiming to enhance the customer experience. They prioritize storytelling and creating a strong connection with clients, emphasizing the reasons behind the home-building process. Millhaven Homes also fosters a positive company culture and builds robust relationships with clients and team members. Takeaways: Millhaven Homes offers a comprehensive approach to custom home building, managing every aspect of the project from start to finish.The company prioritizes creating a positive customer experience and has evolved to address gaps in the custom home market.Storytelling and fostering a connection