I'm considering leaving my job to pursue woodworking professionally. My main goal is to enjoy the craft and earn a little extra income during retirement if possible. I'm focused on building furniture but have no idea where to begin in turning this passion into a viable business. If anyone here has successfully made the leap to professional woodworking, I'd love to hear any advice you might have!
6 Answers
Starting off, furniture can be tricky because the design and building processes take a lot of time. If you're planning to create one-of-a-kind pieces, just keep in mind that they'll have a higher price tag due to the labor involved. Building a strong portfolio showcasing your unique designs is crucial, especially when it comes to timeless pieces like chairs. They require careful measurements and angles, or else you won't be able to price them competitively. Think about the kind of furniture you want to focus on—like cabinets or tables—to lay a solid foundation for your venture.
One thing I found useful is to consider selling tools to fellow woodworkers instead of just focusing on selling your own woodwork. Tools often have a better profit margin. If you want to stay in woodworking for profit, think about automation. Creating jigs for repetitive tasks can save time, and investing in a CNC machine could help, though it might take away some of the enjoyment for you.
If you're aiming to make woodworking your business, getting your marketing strategy right is key. Build an engaging website that highlights your craftsmanship, emphasizing the artisanal and local aspects of your work. People tend to love that! You can even earn decent money doing trim work if you're skilled—some pros make $40 an hour or more.
A big piece of advice: don't undervalue your work! Pricing too low to attract customers can backfire and make it hard to establish a solid reputation. Once you've built up your portfolio, think about hiring someone for your social media strategy to help you grow your online presence.
Hitting up local art festivals can be a great way to see what's out there and meet other woodworkers. You’ll find amazing pieces that might inspire you, but I've found it tough to sell my work at times. It's heart-wrenching to see how little some pieces go for, but talking to other creators can give you invaluable tips and insights into the market.
I've had more luck making money off social media views of my woodworking videos than from selling any products. Just a heads-up—if your focus is purely on cash flow, the best chances might be in construction or high-end furniture. Getting your name out there is crucial, so consider a solid social media presence and maybe even hire someone to help!
I once tried making a small batch of cute wooden holiday decorations. They were fun to make, but the tedious sanding process made me realize I wouldn't want to produce them in large quantities!