Ben Deumling, Zena Forest Products

At 41 years old, with no woodworking background and tools made from hot-glued blocks of wood, Craig Hedges won a YouTube scholarship that changed the trajectory of his entire family's life. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Craig Hedges, the new owner of Goliath Hardwoods in Evansville, Indiana. Craig's story starts with a $250 check from a YouTube woodworker's scholarship fund, a circular saw, a jigsaw, and a drill. What began with cornhole boards made alongside his wife and four kids eventually grew into pen turning, laser engraving, craft shows, and ultimately the purchase of a nearly 30-year-old hardwood retail business that was days away from closing its doors forever. You'll hear about how Craig and his family funded a trip to Disney World entirely from cornhole board sales, and the car ride home where the kids declared they were done making them. You'll hear about how he discovered Goliath Hardwoods as a customer, watched the sale fall through multiple times with other buyers, and negotiated an owner-financed deal that let the business pay for itself from day one. Craig also shares how he inherited a loyal customer base, kept the existing staff, and immediately went to work building a social media presence from scratch with his son Ian behind the camera. You'll also hear about the incredible historic restoration project that landed on Craig's doorstep, resurfacing 130-plus-year-old flooring from the old Cargis building to be installed in 121 new apartments. Craig talks about his plans to create custom wood urns with military branch scroll work for local funeral homes, his vision for a dedicated maker space, and the heartwarming story of helping a pair of newlyweds build their first dining table in his shop. Jennifer and Craig also dig into sourcing strategies for small retailers, from Facebook Marketplace finds to building relationships with larger local suppliers, and how to use social media to stop the scroll and find the wood you need. Chapters 00:00 Meet Craig Hedges: From YouTube Scholarship to Business Owner 05:56 Buying Goliath Hardwoods and Keeping a Legacy Alive 10:05 Building a Social Media Strategy from Scratch 11:46 The Historic Cargis Building Flooring Restoration 18:01 Custom Urns, Maker Spaces, and Creative Revenue Streams 25:50 Sourcing Wood as a Small Retailer 34:19 Challenges, Community, and the Power of Just Trying The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Craig at: https://goliathhardwoods.com/ https://www.instagram.com/goliath_hardwoods/ https://www.facebook.com/goliathhardwoods/

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Marty Parsons of the Wood-Mizer Pennsylvania Authorized Sales Center. What started as a side hustle while Marty worked as a diesel mechanic at PennDOT quickly exploded when he and his wife Lisa sold 65 mills in their very first year. A quarter century later, Marty has built a family-run operation known across the East Coast for its hands-on training, free tech support, and the kind of honest, no-nonsense advice that has made him a go-to voice in the sawmill community. You'll hear about how the authorized sales center model got off the ground, the early pushback from within Wood-Mizer, and how Marty earned respect one perfectly aligned mill at a time. You'll hear about the real reasons sawyers get wavy cuts, why Marty swears by the 747 blade profile for mills of all sizes, and the fuel maintenance mistake that ruins more engines than most people realize. Marty also walks through common calls he gets from customers, from thick-and-thin lumber issues to power feed rebuilds on older mills, and explains why a simple phone call before you start wrenching can save you hundreds of dollars. You'll also hear about the people behind the scenes who make it all work: Lisa, who keeps the books and the business running, son Nick who handles technical calls and wiring, Andrew and Tristan who are learning the trade hands-on, and the Resharp team keeping four grinders and two setters humming. Marty talks about the shift from doing 25 trade shows a year to reaching thousands through social media reels, his collaboration with channels like Outdoors with the Morgans, and what it was like to bring the second WM5500 in the United States to his region. Whether you're a new sawyer trying to figure out why your boards aren't coming off flat, a seasoned mill owner looking for better blade performance, or someone considering getting into the sawmill business, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and real-world experience. Tune in, take notes, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast. New episodes drop every Thursday morning wherever you consume your podcasts. Chapters 00:00 Introducing Marty Parsons and Wood-Mizer Pennsylvania 01:54 The Origin Story: From Auction Mill to Authorized Sales Center 06:31 The Resharp Program and Building a Service Team 09:13 Social Media, Reels, and Reaching Sawyers Nationwide 17:23 Top Service Calls and Troubleshooting Tips for Sawyers 27:03 Fuel, Maintenance, and the Myths That Cost You Money 42:53 Advice for Sawyers and Supporting Your Local Sales Center The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Marty at: https://woodmizer.com/us/contact-us/wood-mizer-pennsylvania?srsltid=AfmBOorEGprvw8Tv3RRFSIRoJokqHO6T89kfnMNqC6wFrfq93nnDaGxG https://www.facebook.com/marty.parsons.50/

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Bob Kloes and Matt Schmitz of Kloes Specialty Hardwoods, a Wisconsin-based business specializing in curly maple, bird's eye maple, flame birch, and other figured hardwoods. What started as Bob's lifelong passion for custom furniture evolved into a lumber business when his wife suggested he start selling the stunning figured woods he had been sourcing for decades. Now, with Matt at the helm after purchasing the business, the two share a partnership built on mentorship, shared passion, and an unwavering commitment to quality. You'll hear about how Bob built relationships with sawmills over 20 years and developed an expert eye for selecting figured wood in the rough. You'll hear about the process of buying green lumber, working with a neighboring vacuum kiln operation, and sorting material by species, figure density, and customer specs for everyone from furniture makers to guitar builders and pool cue craftsmen. Bob and Matt also get honest about the challenges of marketing a niche product, navigating social media algorithms, and the real cost of shipping in today's market. You'll also hear about Matt's journey from federal government career to business owner, how a summer sales slump nearly broke his confidence, and why having a built-in mentor made all the difference. Bob shares stories from his furniture-making days, including secret compartments, his "high country style" designs, and why he believes in over-delivering on every order. The conversation also touches on the declining availability of bird's eye maple, the puzzling drop in cherry prices, and the broader challenges facing the domestic hardwood industry. Whether you're a woodworker searching for the best figured hardwoods, a small business owner navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, or someone who appreciates the art of letting natural wood speak for itself, this episode is for you. Tune in, be inspired, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Thursday morning wherever you consume your podcasts. Chapters 00:00 Meet Bob Kloes and Matt Schmitz of Kloes Specialty Hardwoods 01:04 Bob's 40-Year Journey from Furniture Maker to Lumber Dealer 03:06 Matt's Path from Customer to Business Owner 06:25 Sourcing, Drying, and Sorting Figured Hardwoods 14:47 Selling Retail, Shipping Nationwide, and Managing Costs 19:26 Marketing, Social Media, and Industry Challenges 28:22 Favorite Projects, Quality Philosophy, and Lessons Learned The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Bob and Matt at: https://www.kloesspecialtyhardwoods.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kloesspecialtyhardwoods/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/kshardwoods/

What if the trees being cut down in your neighborhood could become the art hanging on your walls or the table your family gathers around? Brian Presnell of Indy Urban Hardwood has been making that vision a reality in Indianapolis since 2016, and his story is one of the most compelling in the urban wood world. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, Jennifer Alger sits down with Brian to trace a journey that begins in art school at the Herron School of Art, winds through museum work and public art collaborations, and lands squarely in a sawmill shed in one of America's most tree-rich cities. Brian grew up surrounded by hardwoods in Indianapolis, watched them get hauled off and burned for decades, and decided to do something about it. Brian breaks down how Indy Urban Hardwood works, from sourcing logs through his firewood rig and local partnerships, to milling, drying, and turning urban hardwoods into furniture, art, and reclaimed wood products that tell the story of the city they came from. He talks candidly about the wastefulness baked into how most cities handle tree removal, and why changing that requires both community education and a business model that makes sustainability actually work at a small scale. The conversation also goes deep on legacy. Brian shares his vision for what Indy Urban Hardwood could look like in 10 to 20 years, the projects he is most proud of, and why mentorship and community involvement are just as central to his work as the sawmill itself. For Brian, woodworking has always been an extension of his life as an artist, and that perspective gives everything he builds a depth that goes beyond the grain. Whether you are a woodworker, an urban wood advocate, or a maker trying to build something meaningful in your community, this episode will leave you inspired. Hit follow and tune in. New episodes drop every Thursday morning. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Brian Presnell and Indy Urban Hardwood 01:58 - Art school, mentorship, and the creative foundation behind the business 04:50 - From museum work and public art to urban wood recycling 07:17 - Founding Indy Urban Hardwood in 2016 and the story of the first tree 10:41 - Indianapolis as a tree-rich city and the wastefulness of urban forestry 15:39 - Community partnerships, estate lumber, and local sourcing 18:07 - Products, business model, and the role of art in Brian's woodworking 24:19 - Vision for the next 10 to 20 years and the legacy Brian is building The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Brian at: www.indyurbanhardwood.com https://www.instagram.com/indyurbanhardwood/ https://www.facebook.com/IndyUrbanHardwood/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/indy-urban-hardwood https://www.youtube.com/@indyurbanhardwood149

The next time you walk through Portland International Airport, look down. The floor beneath your feet is a piece of Oregon history, and Ben Deumling of Zena Forest Products helped put it there. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, Jennifer Alger sits down with Ben to trace the remarkable story behind Zena Forest Products, a family-rooted Oregon business that has spent 25 years figuring out what to do with the hardwoods everyone else overlooked. Growing up managing a diverse, mixed-species forest in the Willamette Valley, Ben inherited a problem: Oregon had virtually no infrastructure for milling anything other than Douglas fir. So he built one. What started as a mission to use more of their own forest has grown into a vertically integrated operation milling Oregon White Oak, Big Leaf Maple, Oregon Ash, and more, taking wood all the way from the tree to a finished, installation-ready floor. Ben breaks down the unique challenges of working with Oregon White Oak, one of the densest hardwoods in North America, from writing his own drying schedules after university research fell short to building homemade kilns out of repurposed refrigerated shipping containers. The centerpiece of the conversation is the PDX Airport project, and the origin story of Zena EdgeGrain, an edge grain tile product that Ben brought to North America for the first time, inspired by a wood floor he tracked down in Copenhagen. The airport needed 75,000 square feet of flooring. Ben had a seven-person team, a brand new product, and a decade-long relationship with the architecture firm that made the introduction. He shares what it really took to land and deliver a project of that scale, including the sleepless nights, the production strain, and the rebuilding that followed. Ben also gets into the innovation framework behind everything Zena does: finding new pools of raw material, applying new technology, and opening up new markets for wood that would otherwise end up in a burn pile. From beetle-killed pine to invasive Juniper to leftover urban elm logs, the Zena EdgeGrain process is turning low-value, underutilized wood into beautiful, durable flooring and the conversation around what that means for sustainable forestry is one you will not want to miss. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Ben Deumling and Zena Forest Products 05:28 - Oregon White Oak: drying challenges, density, and flagship species 13:55 - Vertical integration from forest to finished floor 18:29 - The PDX Airport project and the origin of Zena EdgeGrain 25:39 - Three ingredients for wood industry innovation: raw material, technology, and new markets 33:34 - How a seven-person company landed a major international airport project 43:06 - Marketing to architects, lunch and learns, and building long-term relationships 46:29 - Products beyond flooring: stairs, wall cladding, registers, and Viking ships The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Ben at: https://www.zenaforest.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-deumling-54057717a/ https://www.instagram.com/zenaforestproducts https://www.youtube.com/@zenaforest1677

What does it take to walk away from a stable corporate career and build something with your own two hands? Nick Hardrath did exactly that, and the business he built, The Urban Craftsman, is proof that passion and strategic thinking can coexist beautifully. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, Jennifer Alger sits down with Nick to trace his journey from the corporate design world to running a full-time sawmill and bespoke furniture business. Nick started in 2016 with small projects and ornaments, went full-time in 2018, and has never looked back. He shares how his corporate background quietly shaped the way he approaches branding, client relationships, and business systems in ways most craftspeople never consider. One of the most compelling parts of Nick's story is his decision to control his own lumber supply. By milling urban wood himself, he gains creative freedom, quality control, and a storytelling advantage that sets his work apart. He talks about the thrill of opening a log and discovering unexpected grain patterns, the discipline of managing wood movement and kiln schedules, and why understanding your material from the very beginning changes everything about the finished product. Nick also gets candid about the harder side of running a craft business. From hiring skilled labor and keeping a team motivated, to automating operations and managing the financial side of things, he shares the lessons that took years to learn. He is a firm believer in community, collaboration, and educating the public about urban wood and sustainable forestry, and that passion comes through in every project he takes on. Whether you are a woodworker, a maker, or an entrepreneur trying to turn your craft into a career, this episode is packed with honest insight and hard-earned wisdom. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Nick Hardrath and The Urban Craftsman 02:12 - From side hustle to full-time: going all in on woodworking in 2018 07:58 - Why Nick decided to mill his own lumber for quality and creative control 11:41 - Managing urban wood movement, drying, and kiln schedules 17:13 - How corporate design skills shaped his branding and client relations 20:46 - Building a team, hiring well, and maintaining workshop culture 25:54 - Automating business operations and planning for future growth 29:17 - Educating the public on urban wood, storytelling, and community engagement The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Nick at: theurbancraftsmanwi.com https://www.instagram.com/TheUrbanCraftsman https://www.facebook.com/TheUrbanCraftsmanWI/

What if the tree in your backyard could become the floor beneath your feet, the table where your family gathers, or the beams holding up your home? Megan Offner of New York Heartwoods has spent 25 years making that a reality, and her story is one every woodworking and craftsmanship lover needs to hear. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, Jennifer Alger reconnects with Megan to hear how her business has evolved from running a sawmill and producing custom furniture to a bold new chapter as a project coordinator and wood sourcing consultant. Megan now bridges the gap between landowners, architects, designers, and small local mills, stewarding trees from the moment they are still standing all the way through to finished, traceable, place-based materials in the built environment. Megan opens up about the logistical complexity of working on large-scale hospitality and residential projects, including sourcing 27 walnut slab tables for a Hudson Valley hotel and turning four massive poplar trees into 8,000 linear feet of baseboard for an affordable housing project in Kingston, New York. She also shares the rewarding challenge of expanding her work to the West Coast, learning new species and mass timber processes along the way. Beyond the projects, this conversation gets real about the business side of craftsmanship. Megan talks honestly about the shift from idealism to sustainability, learning to say no, finding a business coach, and building a network of collaborators whose skills balance her own. It is a masterclass in growing a purpose-driven business without losing sight of why you started. This episode is for woodworkers, entrepreneurs, architects, and anyone who believes that local, sustainable wood belongs in the buildings we live and work in. Tune in, hit follow, and share this one with someone who loves trees as much as Megan does. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Megan Offner and New York Heartwoods 03:33 - From sawmill and furniture maker to wood sourcing consultant 09:08 - Working with landowners, standing dead ash, and site-based materials 14:01 - Expanding to the West Coast and learning mass timber with Mallory and Woodshed Consulting 20:52 - Marketing through word of mouth, Instagram, and a New York Times feature 26:36 - Overcoming idealism and learning to run a sustainable business 30:38 - Key partners, Trilocs Woodworks, and building resilient wood supply chains 34:09 - How Megan works with new clients from first call to finished product The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Megan at: https://www.newyorkheartwoods.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganoffner/ https://www.instagram.com/newyorkheartwoods/

What does it take to spend 21 years championing an industry most people take for granted? Jesse LaSon, Vice President of Sales at Rossi Group, has built a career doing exactly that, and his passion for American hardwoods is contagious. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, Jennifer Alger sits down with Jesse to explore the full journey of Appalachian hardwoods, from sustainably managed timberland to sawmills, kilns, and eventually the hands of craftspeople around the world. Rossi Group is a family-owned business with deep roots in the hardwood industry, and Jesse pulls back the curtain on how they manage multiple sawmills, distribute species like cherry, white oak, red oak, soft maple, poplar, and ash, and compete in both domestic and international markets. The conversation goes far beyond logistics. Jesse opens up about the real challenges facing the hardwood industry today, including the impact of tariffs, shifting export markets, trucking pressures, and the ongoing battle against misconceptions about deforestation and sustainability. He shares why industry advocacy and consumer education are just as important as any sales strategy, and how getting architects, designers, and everyday buyers to choose local, sustainable wood can shape the future of American forestry. You will also hear how Jesse thinks about leadership, team culture, and developing people within a growing, global company. His approach to building a strong sales team from the inside out is something any woodworking entrepreneur or business owner can learn from. Whether you are a woodworker, a lumber professional, or someone building a craft business from the ground up, this episode is packed with insight on sustainability, business growth, and what it means to truly champion your craft. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Jesse LaSon and Rossi Group 04:36 - Timberland management, sawmill operations, and species distribution 09:04 - Export markets, tariffs, and global hardwood trade 12:25 - Jesse's 21-year career journey in the hardwood industry 15:25 - Leadership, team building, and company culture at Rossi Group 20:53 - Promoting American hardwoods and fighting misconceptions about sustainability 23:52 - Industry advocacy, consumer education, and marketing to architects 29:24 - Overcoming industry challenges and Jesse's commitment to the craft The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Jesse at: https://rossilumber.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rossilumber/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Emporium-Hardwoods/61573173827770/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-lason-50521a33/

Starting a hardwood retail business from scratch with no industry background might seem impossible, but the right combination of strategic sourcing, mentorship, and community focus can turn an outsider into a successful niche player in just 18 months. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Brett Neylan, founder of Capital Hardwood and Supply, to explore his unconventional entry into the hardwood industry. Coming from backgrounds in outdoor apparel and bicycles, Brett shares how COVID sparked his interest in woodworking and led him to launch a hardwood retail business that now serves hobbyists, contractors, and institutional clients across multiple channels. You'll hear about Brett's strategic approach to sourcing high-grade kiln-dried lumber from rural sawmills while also embracing the urban lumber movement, his inventory management philosophy that keeps stock lean with species variety on a 60-day cycle, and how he's built a business model focused on dimensional lumber, live edge slabs, and specialty products like charcuterie wood. Brett discusses notable projects including a Catholic cathedral renovation and partnerships with schools for shop classes, demonstrating the community impact of local hardwood suppliers. This conversation explores the critical role mentorship and industry networking have played in Brett's rapid success, his growing e-commerce presence and integration with online marketplaces, and his multi-channel marketing approach using Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Brett also shares insights on challenges like inventory management and system integration, the value of partnerships with local sawyers and platforms like AncesTREE, and his vision for scaling beyond local retail through outside sales and expanded e-commerce. Whether you're considering entering the hardwood retail business, interested in inventory management and sourcing strategies, or looking for insights on building a niche wood business through community engagement and online sales, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's built a thriving operation in just over a year. Tune in to discover how Capital Hardwood and Supply is growing through strategic planning, strong mentorship, and a commitment to local wood economies and circular sourcing models, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast for more stories from entrepreneurs building successful wood businesses. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Brett's Background 03:22 Sourcing, Customers, and Notable Projects 11:12 The Power of Mentorship and Partnerships 22:24 E-Commerce Growth and Marketing Strategies 30:02 Business Challenges and Future Plans 38:05 Building Systems for Scaling 44:08 Final Thoughts and Contact Info The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Brett at: https://capitalhardwood.com/ https://www.instagram.com/capitalhardwoodandsupply/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Capital-Hardwood-and-Supply/61566233738504/?sk=about

A catastrophic event can either destroy a business or become the catalyst for creating something entirely new. For one Colorado family, a natural disaster became the unexpected beginning of a thriving sawmill operation. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with John Christenson of Native Lumber to explore his remarkable journey from managing a family ranch to running a successful sawmill business. John shares how natural disasters shaped his business decisions, the challenges of logging in Colorado's diverse terrain, and why finding a niche specialization has been critical to Native Lumber's growth and sustainability. You'll hear about John's approach to fire mitigation and sustainable logging practices that benefit both the business and the environment, how he's built employment opportunities and community impact through his operation, and the diverse timber species they work with in their logging and milling practices. John discusses his effective use of social media and online marketing to reach customers, the importance of industry connections and networking for growth, and his strategies for selling slabs and specialty products in a competitive market. This conversation explores the practical realities of streamlining logging operations, choosing the right equipment for efficiency and quality, and building strong customer relationships through local presence and social media engagement. John also shares success stories of empowering the next generation of woodworkers and how connecting with the community through locally sourced lumber brings joy and strengthens regional wood economies. Whether you're considering starting a sawmill business, interested in fire mitigation and sustainable logging, or looking for insights on niche marketing and social media strategies for wood products, this episode offers honest advice and practical wisdom from someone who's built a successful operation from unexpected beginnings. Tune in to discover how Native Lumber turned catastrophe into craft and built a thriving business that supports both family and community, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast for more inspiring stories from the wood industry. Chapters: 00:00 From Catastrophe to Creation 09:59 Timber Challenges and Sustainable Practices 22:39 Community Connection and Business Challenges 28:28 Industry Connections and Equipment Choices 33:17 Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger  For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with John at: https://nativelumber.co/ https://www.instagram.com/nativelumber/