Sawmill Business Podcast

“We've had what, three three major transitions in the business now. It's almost like I've had three separate businesses because, you know, we're doing woodworking. I tried to transition to concrete, almost specifically, I pushed on that pretty hard for a little bit.” -Chris Roth Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Chris Roth from Areté Wood & Concrete. Chris shares the origins of his business, which started as a furniture company around 2015. He talks about the transition from a hobbyist pursuing woodworking to a professional craftsman, emphasizing the initial focus on furniture. In the last three years, Chris explains, Areté Wood & Concrete has shifted its primary focus to cabinetry. He reveals the reason behind the inclusion of "concrete" in the name, highlighting the experimentation with concrete in furniture but ultimately steering away due to practical challenges. Chris reflects on the heaviness and difficulty of wo

“All these coatings that are out there in the marketplace have been bought,most finishers don't understand what they're playing with. Yeah. If they did, they would be able to make it mostly by themselves.” -Robert Chickey Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by  Robert Chickey from Bespoke Finish. Bespoke Furniture Finishes, as the name suggests, provides bespoke, or custom, finishing solutions for our customers. We excel in two main areas: creating formulas and processes for vendors struggling with specific colors and offering on-site finishing services for clients seeking an extraordinary touch. Additionally, we've introduced a revolutionary product called Liquid Metal Spray, which adds a unique flair to our offerings. I was in the painting industry for two decades, primarily working on historical woodwork. The challenge arose when working on older woodwork and seamlessly blending new additions. Conventional products didn't cut it

“We want to do your kitchen and pantry and mudroom and all that. We want to be your one stop shop. And I feel like that's a great need for people who don't want to deal with 1012 contractors in their home at once. “ -Ty Hardy Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Ty Hardy from AG Designs, Ty is the shop manager at AG Designs, a custom woodworking shop that has been crafting stunning pieces for over five years. We delve into the world of AG Designs, a company that stands by the philosophy: if it involves wood, they can create it for you. From bespoke furniture pieces to full millwork, kitchen cabinetry, closets, vanities, and everything in between, AG Designs has mastered the art of custom woodworking. As Ty shares the company's origin story, we learn that it all began with the owner, a former firefighter, who stumbled upon the beauty of reclaimed materials while taking down barns. This passion for repurposing wood evolved into a bus

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “I worked in high end cabinetry for a really long time. And like, so I was very much in that niche, though, like, I enjoy it. And the other side of it, I also enjoy design. So that kind of made sense for me to pivot in that direction.” -Kevin Fassnacht Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Kevin Fassnacht from Fine Point Cabinetry. From the hands-on creation of high-end custom cabinetry to the strategic shift towards kitchen design, Kevin shares the trials, triumphs, and the unique path that has shaped Fine Point into the success it is today. In the heart of the conversation, Kevin reflects on Fine Point's humble beginnings, spanning seven years of hard work and dedication. The early years were marked by long hours, minimal rewards, and the sheer love for the craft. Kevin's commitment to his woodworking roots led him

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “We've had quite a few of those project, you'd be surprised. Yeah, we develop client relations through that. So that's probably one of the big ones another big one would be quality so you can be making drawer boxes, you can be making shelves just make the best ones you can” -Bob Gild Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Bob Guild from Craftworks USA, a commercial architectural woodworking outfit based in the Pittsburgh area. We provide nationwide services, specializing in crafting custom pieces for various projects, including reception desks and more. I initially studied product design, but I found my way into custom furniture design and high-end built-ins after graduation. From there, I ventured into commercial drafting and estimating. Craft Works USA became the perfect fit for me, allowing me to explore both the des

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “ I loved seeing the end product. Everything was always every job was new, every challenge was new. It just keeps you going, you know, and one day I get to that spot where we can be so good. “ -Nick Peragine Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Nick Peragine from PeragineMillwork, a high-end millwork company based in the Hamptons of New York. Join us as we explore Nick's story, his business strategies, and the challenges he faced in the woodworking industry. Nick shares his journey into the woodworking industry, starting from working in a tool store to eventually founding Paragenie Millwork. The challenges of breaking into the high-end millwork market and the company's focus on custom veneer work, inset cabinetry, and high-end finishes. Listen now and get the whole story! “I must have been 17 or 16 years old. An

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “ First was obviously very intimidating, the whole idea of just jumping into something, knowing exactly how to do it. Kind of just really taught him to stretch himself, abilities, and really, ultimately, take risks and critically think through problems. So that's how it really began. “ -Jacob Reinbold Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Jacob Reinbold from Reinbold inc, In this episode, we dive deep into Jacob's journey, discussing how he started his business, the challenges he faced, and the principles that guided him to success. Join us as Jacob shares insights into his company's approach to woodwork, his team's growth, and the legacy he envisions for Reinbold, Inc. Reinbold, Inc. Specializes in renovation and tailored woodwork. The core of our work revolves around woodcraft, emphasizing customer satisfaction and

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “There's so many parts of the puzzle. But now we got the it's kind of two different aspects of this business at this point with the milling the mill and the shop work. “ -Evan Haxo Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Evan Haxo from Hexo Design & Fabrication, a small millwork custom shop in Northwest Connecticut. Join us as we delve into Evan's journey, the intricacies of his craft, and the unique challenges of running a woodworking business. Evan takes us on a journey from his childhood, growing up around his father's millwork business, to his involvement in installs from a young age. He shares how his passion for working with his hands and the influence of his father led him to establish Haxo LLC in 2017. Listen now and get the whole story! “ it's so much easier to make something when there's not a spec

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “I started with a local Door Company. And that's where I started learning the trade. Worked in the shop at that company for five years, worked in sales for five years, got to learn all sides of the business. “ -Jesse Schmitt Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Jesse Schmitt from Premier Custom Millwork, a prominent hardwood custom door manufacturer catering to the luxury market. In this episode, Jesse shares the remarkable journey of his business, offering insights into its origins, challenges, and triumphs. The story begins in high school, where Jesse participated in a BOCES program, gaining hands-on experience in building trades. His journey continued with an internship at a local door company, marking the start of his immersion in the world of custom millwork. Having worked in both the shop and sales for a tota

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “ I've always been drawn to mid century and then, you know, as people have contacted me, you know, it's I try to skew my designs towards a more mid more minimalist or more mid century style. “ -Aaron Matheson Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Aaron Matheson from Matheson Woodwork. Aaron's journey into woodworking started with a personal touch. Having bought a house, he decided to create custom furniture instead of purchasing ready-made pieces. This initial spark led to the establishment of Matheson Woodwork. Aaron's background in art and photography, coupled with his hands-on experience working with his father, a stonemason, contributed to his inclination towards craftsmanship. The decision to transition from a full-time job to full-time woodworking is often a significant step. Aaron shares his story of taking the p

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “I was nine and Isaac was seven, I think, around when our dad started the company. Yeah, I feel like so we would kind of help doing pretty much anything, you know, being a small shop, his projects would spike and didn't go to nothing. So we did marketing campaigns. So we drove around in a minivan and they would say, "Go put these little cards in people's mailboxes.” -Issac & Asher Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Issac & Asher from Hardwood Creations, a custom cabinet manufacturer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Isaac and Asher share the inspiring story of Hardwood Creations' inception, tracing back to their father's modest one-man shop in the shed of their backyard. The brothers recount their unconventional introduction to the business, with childhood experiences that involved marketing campaigns, fin

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “A continuous growing pain is that you're always evolving your approach. I mean, as you gain yours and age and gain years and experience, you constantly have a new perspective on how to properly manage the process” -Yossi Woodworx Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Yossi and Jesse from Yossi Woodworx. Their focus at Yossi Woodworks is on high-end specialty work. They run a substantial operation with 35 to 40 workers, emphasizing custom projects such as kitchens, closets, libraries, tables, and various millwork. They work with an array of materials, including wood, metal, glass, laminates, and more. Our specialty lies in building close relationships with designers and clients, ensuring our projects are not just functional but also aesthetically remarkable. By the age of nine, I was already delving into millwork, f

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “I didn't move to Denver, Colorado for a couple of years and studied Fine Woodworking out there. And that's kind of like a fast track to fine woodworking one on one and a little bit of furniture design. But after graduating that program moved back to Minneapolis here in 2013. So that's when technically started Rovab and just hit the ground running highs and lows all the time.” -Andy Weld Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Andy Weld  the founder of Rovan Furniture, has carved out a niche for himself and his team in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In a recent Andy shared insights into his journey, the evolution of Rovan Furniture, and the valuable lessons he's learned over the past decade. Though the initial focus was on furniture, the company has evolved into diverse millwork projects, including built-ins and other woodwo

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “I want to continue to grow in the direction of growing as opposed to scale back.” -Jeff Weldon Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by  Jeff Weldon from Lucky Nelson Sawmill. Jeff shared his story, revealing the roots of his passion for woodworking and the evolution of his business. Let's explore how Lucky Nelson's journey from tree service to artisanal wood products unfolded.  Jeff's story begins with a family legacy deeply rooted in the timber industry. His father owned a tree company for over three decades, instilling a love for woodcraft in Jeff from a young age. After years of working alongside his father, Jeff found himself at a crossroads when his dad sold the business due to health issues. This pivotal moment led him to contemplate how he could turn the discarded wood into a profitable venture. Listen now an

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “When it came time to high school, and woodshop was available, I took that. And so it really came very organically, for me. And yeah, so that's the real start to things.” -Jason Saari Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Jason Saari,a skilled carpenter hailing from the picturesque town of Ucluelet in British Columbia. Join us as we delve into Jason's incredible journey, from his early inspiration to his recent adventures in Japanese carpentry. Jason's journey into carpentry began with a childhood fascination sparked by his father, a dedicated do-it-yourselfer. Watching his father rebuild and create ignited Jason's belief in his ability to craft. High school woodshop further fueled his passion, setting the stage for a career that would span nearly three decades. Listen now and get the whole story! “ I have don

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “Instead of sitting home and not doing anything, I kind of just got the ball rolling. And there seemed to be a real big need at that time. And I was just kind of like, right place at the right time and kind of haven't looked back since” -Louis Vignapiano Welcome to the Woodpreneur podcast, the ultimate show for the business and marketing side of the lumber, woodworking, hardwood flooring, and sawmill industry. With your host Steve Larosiliere today is Louis Vignapiano the talented craftsman and founder of LSV Carpentry. In this episode, Louis shares his inspiring journey from a craftsman working for others to the owner of his own thriving carpentry business. Louis delves into the origins of LSV Carpentry, explaining that he ventured into entrepreneurship right before the pandemic. After being let go from his job, he identified a unique opportunity in the market. LSV Carpentry was born o

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “I can say so many things about mentality, you know, going through challenging times as an entrepreneur, the value of a community that has similar goals, and it was it's awesome that the program is kind of just given provided that all to me” -John Bonema Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by John Bonema from Cut Twice Woodworks. John shares the origins of Cut Twice Woodworks, a venture that began in Northern California in March 2020. His relocation to the Nashville area marked a pivotal point for the business, specializing in custom furniture and gifts. The success story includes surpassing revenue goals by 210% for 2023, a testament to the power of the mentorship program. Listen now and get the whole story! “ I jumped in probably the first month, and I dragged my feet for months, two, and three. And I would

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “ It was basically just sitting in front of computers doing some concepts for Chinese companies, which usually we're going just to the bean, and you just do it do it. “ -Filip Winiewicz Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Filip Winiewicz from Romero Hardwood HK Ltd.  Living in various countries, including islands, Beijing, and Malaysia, Filip eventually landed in Hong Kong, where he got married to his Korean wife. Dissatisfied with the architectural work in Hong Kong, which he found lacking in the creative and hands-on aspects, Filip sought an alternative. Intrigued by woodworking as a smaller scale of architecture, he saw it as an opportunity to have more control over his ideas and faster results. Without any formal training, he relied on YouTube to acquire woodworking skills. Starting a woodworking venture in

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “I got lucky that that kept me busy for a while. But for the most part, it's been you know, you know, I'm like, thumbtack yeah jobs through there. I don't I don't love it. Yeah, and I it's kind of the I think I've probably lost money being on that one. “ -Zachary Austin Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Zachary Austin from Ausitn Builds. In this episode, we delve into the story of Zach's venture into the world of cabinetry, furniture, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Let's unravel the tale of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of craftsmanship. Listen now and get the whole story! “I mean, to be honest, it's been a rough last couple of months only getting like small jobs, which is been really tricky. But um, I've been now working with a couple of different other like, contractors. So it looks like it'

Access our training - $200K and 300 Leads in 15 Days for Woodpreneurs here: https://go.buildergrowth.io/optin-wms “I couldn't charge what I knew my stuff was worth, because otherwise, like, I'm unknown, so I would just be sitting, not doing any work. So yeah, that helped me to maximize the revenue I can make from each physical project.” -Mike Poorman Welcome to the Woodpreneur podcast, the ultimate show for the business and marketing side of the lumber, woodworking, hardwood flooring, and sawmill industry. With your host Steve Larosiliere today is Mike Poorman from Woodshop Mike. In the world of woodworking, where craftsmanship meets creativity, Woodshop Mike has emerged as a prominent figure. In a recent episode of the Woods Printer Podcast, hosted by Steve, Woodshop Mike shared insights into his journey, challenges, and strategies for success. Let's delve into the conversation and extract valuable lessons from Mike's experiences. Listen now and get the whole story! The Genesis of Woodshop