Episodes
Ben Uyeda, a designer and content creator, shares his journey from architecture to building a successful media company. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from client-based work to pursuing personal projects and monetizing through online platforms. Ben emphasizes the importance of aligning personal interests with financial opportunities and the value of authenticity in creative work. He also talks about his current project of building a hotel and the balance between work and...
Published 05/16/24
Published 05/16/24
Rohan Ward, a furniture maker and designer, shares his journey of starting and growing his business in Chicago. He discusses his background in woodworking and furniture design and the influence of his childhood and education on his craft. Rohan emphasizes the importance of personal branding and standing behind the quality of his work. He also talks about the challenges and rewards of running a small business, including managing a team and maintaining a high level of craftsmanship. Rohan...
Published 05/14/24
In this episode, Steve LaRosiliere interviews Zach Shrum from Centurion Wood Coatings. Zach shares his journey into the wood coatings industry and how he transitioned from owning a painting business to working for Centurion. He discusses the company's focus on industrial wood coatings and their target market of professional cabinet makers and painters. Zach also talks about the importance of creating opportunities for others and the satisfaction of growing a business. He provides insights...
Published 05/09/24
In this episode of the Woodpreneur podcast, Steve Larosiliere interviews Brent from BYOT. Brent shares his journey of starting a YouTube channel focused on DIY home improvement and woodworking. He discusses how he transitioned from a full-time contractor to a content creator and the impact of COVID-19 on his business. Brent emphasizes the importance of audience-first content and the value of networking with other creators. He also shares insights on staying motivated, continuously learning,...
Published 05/07/24
Dagan Koffler, owner of Dagan Design Construction, shares his journey in the design and construction industry. He discusses how he got into the business, the challenges he faced, and the growth of his company. Dagan emphasizes the importance of building a strong team and creating a positive company culture. He also talks about the benefits of being a design-build firm and the value of social media in marketing his business. Overall, Dagan's story highlights the rewards and challenges of...
Published 05/02/24
"I read a fair amount, like pretty much everybody. What I have is a great ability to see what other people are doing, to observe what people are working on, and to understand techniques or things that can work for us." Miles Janes Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Miles Janes from Vermont Heavy Timber. Miles grew up surrounded by the aroma of sawdust and the intricate beauty of woodwork, thanks to his father,...
Published 04/30/24
“Once you get into that design kind of mind frame, it just stays with you 100% You become a magpie of, you know, choosing things, and storing things away for free. “ Dan Bullen Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Dan Bullen from Iluka London. Dan's journey began with a desire for change, a longing to shift from the digital realm to the tactile world of creating physical products. As a graphic designer and with...
Published 04/25/24
Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Cam Anderson from Blacktail Studio. Cam reflects on the changes and challenges he faced over the past few years, especially during the global pandemic. He made the daring decision to quit his full-time job as a life flight pilot to pursue woodworking and content creation. Cam shares the challenges and uncertainties he faced during this transition, especially considering his wife's...
Published 04/23/24
“I probably am exaggerating, all the clients we've gotten thus far have been primarily word of mouth and recommendation.” Tony Mcklem Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host, Steve Larosiliere, is joined by Tony Mcklem from Hollywood Decks, a leading outdoor living company based out of Northeast Florida. In this blog, we delve into the insightful conversation from The Woodburner Podcast featuring Tony Mcklem, the founder of Hollywood Decks, as he...
Published 04/18/24
“If we can really put heirloom pieces into people's homes, so that should anything happen—whether they need to move, sell, or pass things down to family—those cabinetry pieces could arguably be uninstalled, moved to new locations, and reinstalled, allowing people to carry them with them for decades.” -Katie Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Katie& Jesse from JKath Design + Build. We delve into the fascinating...
Published 04/11/24
"The best way for you to do that is to tell more stories. Optimize your bio and post more frequently. You could even revisit your old posts and turn them into videos. Essentially, you just need to post more videos." Steve Larosiliere Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. In this episode, I’m going to help you unlock growth for your wood business. In the fast-paced world of marketing and business, finding the right advice can often feel like searching for a needle in a...
Published 04/09/24
“When you start spending, you know, an infinite amount of time doing so, you might as well build it yourself in the first place. “ -David Vincenzi Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by David Vincenzi from Amelia Cabinet Company. David's journey begins with his father, an architect with a passion for cabinetry. Over 30 years ago, his father made a pivotal decision to specialize in cabinetry, laying the foundation...
Published 04/04/24
"Imagine a thank you note with a poem or quote, to the client, or the GC. Right? Imagine your brand, with your, like, most famous quote, or like one of your quotes, or sayings or what have you." -Steve Larosiliere Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. In this episode, I’m going to help you learn how to carve your niche in carpentry. In the bustling world of carpentry and construction, standing out can feel like an uphill battle. But what if I told you that your...
Published 04/02/24
“Instead of being in a classroom, I could be out in the field on-site doing stuff. And so I spent three years doing that. And from there, it just kept going.” Cody Hansen Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Cody Hansen from Plate and Nail. Cody's journey into carpentry didn't just start with swinging hammers and cutting wood. It began with a family legacy of craftsmanship and a deep-rooted passion for creating...
Published 03/28/24
“The reason for the appointment is to book another appointment. Never walk out of the appointment without booking another point. It could be if you sold the job, it could be an installation. It could be a remeasure.” Steve Larosiliere Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. In this episode I’m going to help you with unlocking growth for your wood business. In the fast-paced world of marketing and business, finding the right advice can often feel like searching...
Published 03/26/24
"I am still not afraid of change, because everybody tells me once you just go get another job like, well, I really like what I do. Working in closets is different from everything else; we work with different people. People who want to organize themselves are of a different caliber than those who are messy." -Eric Marshall "Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Eric Marshall. Eric's love for woodworking...
Published 03/21/24
"I would build a specialty website and potentially, you know, either through it or just have it, like, just build a community around parents that, and parents of special needs, and custom furniture just for them." Steve Larosiliere Embracing Authenticity in Marketing The conversation begins with a refreshing honesty about discomfort with traditional marketing approaches. Jeff, despite his expertise, prefers to keep things real, admitting to his own uncertainties and...
Published 03/19/24
“It wasn't even about the money. It was just like, my brain was so screwed up, and it was always sick. I needed to pick a spot where I needed to be, so I had a drop dead date. And that helped a lot. But those people who just make the jump, they don't have to, like, that's pretty good stuff." Jeff Himstedt Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Jeff Himstedt from JHimWoodworking. Jeff's journey into woodworking...
Published 03/14/24
"If you don't show up, if you don't show up on time, you're out. If you don't do this, you're out. Like, you're like, 'Yeah, this is how we feed our family.' Like, this isn't a game, right?" -Steve Larosiliere Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. In this episode I’m going to help you with the secret of attracting more clients for your wood business. Hartman Cabinetry grapples with a common rural dilemma – a scarcity of skilled labor. Despite a bustling...
Published 03/12/24
“I came on full time in May. Working for my dad. He started making cabinets when he was in high school. Basically went to college and said, that isn't for him. He got into it full time in 1993. And it's been doing really good, and that's where we are right now. I’m working with my dad everyday and love it.” -Issac Hartman Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Issac Hartman from Hartman Cabinetry. Isaac's...
Published 03/07/24
“So for folks like for businesses like yours, it's about the same amount of exposure that you have, right? So this is a good way to look at is like, how many people are seeing your name and your brand?” -Steve Larosiliere Unveiling the Struggles of Entrepreneurship The conversation opens with a candid revelation of the struggles faced by many entrepreneurs, particularly in marketing and business investment. The guest reflects on past experiences, admitting to investing...
Published 03/05/24
“My first couple of years as I was doing that, Steve, I was running so hard that I had no idea what the hell made me money. What didn't make me money.” -Sinan Music Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Sinan Music from SMC Construction. Sinan shares insights into his journey, starting from a painting company that transitioned into construction amidst the economic downturn of 2008-2009. As new construction...
Published 02/29/24
“You need to stay in touch with every single one of your customers on a regular basis. Like friend him on Facebook, friend him on Twitter, on Instagram, just like, literally stay, stay on top of them.“ -Steve Larosiliere Exploring New Horizons: In today's segment, we had the privilege of conversing with Carrie, a seasoned artisan who shared her journey navigating the evolving landscape of marketing and business in the woodworking industry. Carrie shed light on the...
Published 02/27/24
“I could figure out how to make something out of, and kind of just one thing led to another, and a friend of mine suggested that maybe I start doing this for other people.” -Carrie Nelson Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Carrie Nelson from 4 Chicks Furniture & Wood Art. Carrie  shares her inspiring journey from woodworking enthusiast to successful business owner. We delve into Carrie's origin story, her...
Published 02/22/24