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#1 ·
Making connections

Hello Readers,

Well I got some good feedback from my previous blog entry so I decided I might as well start a new series for my new small business and chronicle the ups and downs of starting my business. Enjoy!

This weekend I made significant contactions with a potential customer that would allow me to sell my items in a local co-op market. The market is for natural and organic foods as well as a small merchandise section that my stuff would be placed. I am hoping to make a deal on this, even if I don't make a ton of profit on the deal because I would be selling at "wholesale" prices. The customer indicated they were interested in some other sizes too, so I will be expanding my product line. I just released a pricing table to the customer today so I hope I get some feedback tomorrow on making a date to show the products in person. All is well on a days work, till next time!

To see my Etsy shop check out:

Spud Wood Works

See my blog links in my signature.

 
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#3 ·
Spud's first Direct Sale to Retail!

Hello Readers!

Well there you have it, my small business has made its first landing on the physical retail scene through the Cornerstone Book store in CT. This marks significant growth for my business as I would like to have my products sold more in local shops and stores.

On a lighter note I have had a lot of individual specialty requests from Etsy to my shop which is very pleasing. Just wanted to share some good news with you all!
 
#5 ·
Accounting, we all love to hate it...

Hello Readers,

It sure has been a busy time for me, after my direct sale to The Cornerstone Bookstore I recieved several orders which really gave me quite a time at making sure I had the time to complete everything. In the end I did, and I finally found the right handling time that would work for both me and the customers.

I'd like to also draw attention to accounting… For some, this process can be daunting and tedious. But I suggest for anyone who is going to own a business, that they better set up an accounting process at the beginning! Because of my background in IT, I had a intermediate knowledge of how to use excel and the formulas within to make my accounting process as smooth as freshly sanded end grain cutting boards… Currently I account all sales for outside and inside my state (you don't owe sales tax on internet sales out of state), all customer information, customer trends yada yada and a whole lot more.

Take a look at a snapshot of my accounting sheet from a few weeks ago:

Product Rectangle Azure Font Screenshot


Colorfulness Rectangle Font Screenshot Software


I have been able to turn this into a fun process and I highly suggest (if you can't make your own) to get accounting software of some kind. I really like mine because I am able to customize it to myself. Well my child is tearing through something and I must go.

Ethan
 

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#6 ·
Accounting, we all love to hate it...

Hello Readers,

It sure has been a busy time for me, after my direct sale to The Cornerstone Bookstore I recieved several orders which really gave me quite a time at making sure I had the time to complete everything. In the end I did, and I finally found the right handling time that would work for both me and the customers.

I'd like to also draw attention to accounting… For some, this process can be daunting and tedious. But I suggest for anyone who is going to own a business, that they better set up an accounting process at the beginning! Because of my background in IT, I had a intermediate knowledge of how to use excel and the formulas within to make my accounting process as smooth as freshly sanded end grain cutting boards… Currently I account all sales for outside and inside my state (you don't owe sales tax on internet sales out of state), all customer information, customer trends yada yada and a whole lot more.

Take a look at a snapshot of my accounting sheet from a few weeks ago:

Product Rectangle Azure Font Screenshot


Colorfulness Rectangle Font Screenshot Software


I have been able to turn this into a fun process and I highly suggest (if you can't make your own) to get accounting software of some kind. I really like mine because I am able to customize it to myself. Well my child is tearing through something and I must go.

Ethan
added Trend model snapshot
 

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#14 ·
Slow and steady wins the race... If you can stand it.

Hello Readers!

Ever heard the saying "Slow and steady wins the race"? Or "The early bird gets the worm"? Or even "Use your head for more than a hat rack"?

I've heard these plenty of times from my mother when I needed to pace myself, or from my father responding to something dumb I had done. But these never really made more sense than now… Owning a business will give you a new perspective I suppose.

Starting out now over the past 3 months (December - February), it has been a slow pace, I can see the value of my business and the work that goes into it first hand, but still I wonder at times if I am really getting anywhere. Well I have come to the conclusion that this slow start-up pace is exactly what I need to succeed. Having this pace will allow me to get better and LEARN how to do what I do more efficiently. That should be my slogan "Get Better and LEARN". The knowledge I gain from this experience will make me better and more prepared for the busier days and months and years to come.

Maybe now I should make a hat rack…
 
#15 ·
Got a new slogan for you that should be your new mantra when starting a business: "Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise".

Best of luck,
Jake

And here's another one for you: ONE DAY AT A TIME
 
#19 ·
First Band Saw, New Horizons

Hello Readers,

Well Yesterday I finished setup of my first band saw. I started at the low end because that is what my business could afford and I am also learning the ropes. I read lots of reviews for the Ryobi Band saw from Home Depot and after some consideration and education on Band Saw tuning, I went out and bought one… That was Saturday. Turns out the one I picked was busted so after returning and swapping for store credit, traveling to a different store 20 miles away, inspecting the item in the parking lot and finally making it home I started to tune just about everything on the saw.



From calibrating the cutting deck to balancing the blade and more, I was busy for a good 2 hours. When I finally had completed balancing the bells and whistles I had before me a working Band Saw. You can imagine I wanted to try it out… so I did. I practiced on a few scraps and then filled an order of blocks I had waiting. I found I need to get a larger blade for the larger projects, but I have to say it works like a charm. Now I can design new products for my shop! How is that for excitement?

My tip for this: You are in control, but don't get pushy.
 
#23 ·
Keeping Above Water and Learning to Tread... And Product Photos!

Hello Readers,

Some people get busy just doing what they do, some people get busy learning how to do it, others get busy because they allowed themselves to get that way.

Right now I'd say my process for "Product Handling Time" is working, if a customer orders a product, it is then processed and shipped normally within 3 to 6 business days of the original order.

Question: "Why not 3-5, or 1-3 days instead?"

Answer: "Because you never know how much volume you will have to pump out in a week, and if you complete your orders for the week, its nice to get ahead. However if orders come in and piggy back onto one another, then you may not have the right amount of supply, or you could very well become overwhelmed with orders."

I guess my point would be to give yourself time, have a good gauge for how much time you need, and start treading, if you stick to it you might find yourself ahead.

Check out some pictures below! I have more products coming soon, which I am pretty darn excited about!



Rectangle Wood Flooring Plant Hardwood


Wood Rectangle Flooring Road surface Grass










 

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#24 ·
Keeping Above Water and Learning to Tread... And Product Photos!

Hello Readers,

Some people get busy just doing what they do, some people get busy learning how to do it, others get busy because they allowed themselves to get that way.

Right now I'd say my process for "Product Handling Time" is working, if a customer orders a product, it is then processed and shipped normally within 3 to 6 business days of the original order.

Question: "Why not 3-5, or 1-3 days instead?"

Answer: "Because you never know how much volume you will have to pump out in a week, and if you complete your orders for the week, its nice to get ahead. However if orders come in and piggy back onto one another, then you may not have the right amount of supply, or you could very well become overwhelmed with orders."

I guess my point would be to give yourself time, have a good gauge for how much time you need, and start treading, if you stick to it you might find yourself ahead.

Check out some pictures below! I have more products coming soon, which I am pretty darn excited about!



Rectangle Wood Flooring Plant Hardwood


Wood Rectangle Flooring Road surface Grass










"Question: "Why not 3-5, or 1-3 days instead?"

Promise long, and deliver short.
My Dad taught me this. If you live by this, you'll always be a hero. If you promise short and deliver long, you'll quickly become a bum.
 

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#25 ·
Into the Trenches

Hello Readers,

It has not been too long since my last post. So this will be just a quick update. I am headed into the trenches. received quite a number or orders for wood blocks and they keep coming. We shall see if my established system works. If not you will find me sprawled up in a corner somewhere.



ONWARD!

Best wishes to you all.
 
#27 ·
Cut, Sand, Repeat. Cut, Sand, Repeat...

Hello Readers!

There is a glimmer of light in the progress department of my small business. The brightest spot being that orders keep coming in at a steady pace. The Ugly has reared its head however in the form of doing the same process, over, and over, and over again only to repeat it again and again… I find myself trying to stay ahead of the orders, trying to not think about the fact that in the course of three weeks I have made over a 1000 square 1.5×1.5×1.5 inch blocks… No, instead I try to think about the future and what good things will come from it… If that fails I will have to find a happy place.

The worst part of all, is sanding! Good grief I need a dust collector ASAP!

Regards,
 
#28 ·
Are you using recycled pallet lumber for your toy blocks?

We have a pallet recycling facility where I work and I would strongly suggest that no pallet wood be used for children's toys.

The reason being that a recycled pallets are often used dozens of times and it is not uncommon for them to be contaminated with spilled chemicals or oils. If they have been used for overseas shipments, they may have been through fumigation.

Kids toys wind up in kids mouths…. just sayin'
 
#32 ·
The Dream, the Plan, the Project

Hello Readers,

Wow its been a really long time since I have blogged anything… Spud has kept me really busy. But today I think I have something to share that I have been realizing is the next step for me and subsequently Spud.

I have come to the conclusion that I love woodworking, I love making things myself and seeing the satisfaction that people have with my product. A few weeks ago I decided that I would begin saving money from my business to open a brick and mortar storefront. That's right, I am planning the stages of my eventual gravitation towards full time woodworking and retail.

Currently I am working on saving money and raising funds either through fund raising programs or grants. I also started working on floor plan ideas and product descriptions and modeling. As I take this journey I will keep you all (who may be interested) updated.



http://igg.me/at/spudwoodworks/x/2089110 - My indiegogo campaign in case you wanted to see it.
 
#37 ·
Website Launch!

Hello Lumberjocks!

Today I launched my own website and google adwords campaign! over the last few weeks I developed my own website equipped with the ability to allow shoppers to see my wood products and buy them directly from me… err I mean Spud Woodworks… Take a look: Spudwoodworks.com

It has been quite the busy time. But I was able to do two freelance projects with maple recently. I will be sure to post them in the project page as soon as I find the time…

Regards,

Ethan
 
#38 ·
Looks great congrats!

Just an FYI - you might want to consider slowing down the animation on the front page that cycles between Shop NOw and the testimonies.

I read fairly quickly and had a hard time finishing the testimony before it cycled to the next picture.

Just something to consider.
 
#43 ·
Updates, Keeping the Pace, Growing Spud and some Pictures

Hello All,

Since opening my website things have progressively gotten a bit more busy. For instance yesterday I completed 4 orders that shipped out today only to get to my computer last night to see that 4 orders came in the very same day. So when I thought I was getting ahead, I was just keeping pace.

On another note I bought a 20" chainsaw with some of my profits and I am preparing my plans for building a small forced air kiln to start drying out maple logs so I can offer Maple as a product choice to my customers. Maple (as most of you know) can be hard to come by in larger sizes for blocks and other things like that. So I am hoping to both start offering Maple, as well as reduce overhead through harvesting my own lumber for use. LOTS OF READING AND RESEARCHING…

OK Back to keeping the pace…

Ethan

P.S. Thanks to all of you that viewed www.spudwoodworks.com and left feedback. Extra thanks to those that shared it with others!

Rectangle Wood Font Circle Brand


Sleeve Rectangle Font Tints and shades T-shirt
Wood Rectangle Art Toy Grass
 

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#44 ·
Growth, Learning how to sell, and my First Business Photoshoot!

Hello All,

Been awhile, and I really want to keep up with my blogs here on lumberjocks so here goes another.

Spud (or I) has (or "have" if you assume I) been buying a lot of new tools to expand my business line and so far its been more spending money than making, but that's the short term plan anyhow… I think.

Other than expanding my (or Spud's) tools and products its seems like I have been getting a crash course in sales 101. What makes my product different (or better… or not) than my competitors? how is my pricing? and how, where and when do I advertise is all a big deal. I finally finished my pricing strategy for this holiday season and that took weeks to prepare. Now I am putting the final touches on how to present those deals and sales on my website and Etsy.

In summation I have been told that Summer is the slow months for online retail… and I have been pretty busy. I can only imagine October on… If you don't hear from me, assume I am knee deep in saw dust.

Also had the opportunity to take some photos of my business (or "me" if you assume I). Check them out below! And that's right, that's a Spud Shirt!

Jeans Wood Gas Hardwood Shipping box


Jeans Chin Smile Facial expression Human body


Smile Sleeve Textile Waist Rectangle


Sleeve Gesture Watch Wood Bumper


Look its my hand!

Hope to write again soon!

Regards to all,

Ethan
 

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#45 ·
Growth, Learning how to sell, and my First Business Photoshoot!

Hello All,

Been awhile, and I really want to keep up with my blogs here on lumberjocks so here goes another.

Spud (or I) has (or "have" if you assume I) been buying a lot of new tools to expand my business line and so far its been more spending money than making, but that's the short term plan anyhow… I think.

Other than expanding my (or Spud's) tools and products its seems like I have been getting a crash course in sales 101. What makes my product different (or better… or not) than my competitors? how is my pricing? and how, where and when do I advertise is all a big deal. I finally finished my pricing strategy for this holiday season and that took weeks to prepare. Now I am putting the final touches on how to present those deals and sales on my website and Etsy.

In summation I have been told that Summer is the slow months for online retail… and I have been pretty busy. I can only imagine October on… If you don't hear from me, assume I am knee deep in saw dust.

Also had the opportunity to take some photos of my business (or "me" if you assume I). Check them out below! And that's right, that's a Spud Shirt!

Jeans Wood Gas Hardwood Shipping box


Jeans Chin Smile Facial expression Human body


Smile Sleeve Textile Waist Rectangle


Sleeve Gesture Watch Wood Bumper


Look its my hand!

Hope to write again soon!

Regards to all,

Ethan
Be careful. Using a fence with a miter guage could be a projectile/accident waiting to happen. Best of luck with the business. All I've learned from others on the woodworking profession is that it is a huge challenge, but if you can make it, it can be quite rewarding as well.
 

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#52 ·
New Milestones!

Hey all,

Just a quick note to share with you all about Spud! So far this year Spud Woodworks has officially hand crafted and shipped over 10,000 blocks to customers world wide from Australia, to Germany and throughout the United States. I am really excited about the growth I have been seeing and I look forward to whatever comes next!

Wood Amber Font Pattern Circle


Spud Woodworks

Have a great week everyone!
 

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#53 ·
New Milestones!

Hey all,

Just a quick note to share with you all about Spud! So far this year Spud Woodworks has officially hand crafted and shipped over 10,000 blocks to customers world wide from Australia, to Germany and throughout the United States. I am really excited about the growth I have been seeing and I look forward to whatever comes next!

Wood Amber Font Pattern Circle


Spud Woodworks

Have a great week everyone!
That is great!, glad to hear it.
 

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#55 ·
Holy Cow, what fun!

Hey everyone!

It has been crazy! I've launched my own website, expanded products, paid my taxes and continue to make Spud Woodworks a real opportunity for myself and my family. I did hit a rut for awhile, it was difficult going day in and day out just sitting there making the same thing over again. But it dawned on me, I can always find opportunity to improve a product, grow its customer base, and make more varied styles and editions.

Over all its been exciting. Really exciting! And as I head into the shopping season I want to be ready, really ready!

Smile Sleeve Textile Waist Rectangle

Property Product Font Screenshot Grass

www.spudwoodworks.com

Till next time!

Ethan
 

Attachments

#56 ·
Holy Cow, what fun!

Hey everyone!

It has been crazy! I've launched my own website, expanded products, paid my taxes and continue to make Spud Woodworks a real opportunity for myself and my family. I did hit a rut for awhile, it was difficult going day in and day out just sitting there making the same thing over again. But it dawned on me, I can always find opportunity to improve a product, grow its customer base, and make more varied styles and editions.

Over all its been exciting. Really exciting! And as I head into the shopping season I want to be ready, really ready!

Smile Sleeve Textile Waist Rectangle

Property Product Font Screenshot Grass

www.spudwoodworks.com

Till next time!

Ethan
Happy everything is working for you. Hope you get a lot of traffic and sales, the site looks great.
 

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#61 ·
2013 a Trail blazing year, 2014 already breaking records.

Hello Readers,

It certainly has been awhile since I have last shared about my small woodworking business (Spud Woodworks). I have been very blessed over the past year and I wanted to share some of those things with you all.

2013



2013 was my banner year. I started Spud Woodworks as a all around online retail store on Esty, expanded to selling on my own website and made a few sales to local stores. My first 12 month year started slow, and grew to a 5 digit revenue company in my first year and I ended (not by much) in the black after all my re-investing. My first Christmas was a daunting challenge, but I made it through with nary a bruise, except if you count my mid-summer incident with my table saw (a block shot back and nailed me in the eye) but thank God for wearing eye protection, or I'd be half blind. Eventually I got feeling back on the right side of my face as well. 2013 also became a big year for growth, I purchased and upgraded many of my tools and expanded my product line from 2 original products to ~45. Just before Christmas, I was very happy to donate $50 worth in wood block sets for my first ever community project through my website. I could not have asked for a better start up year and I look forward to the rest of 2014.

2014



Halfway through the 1st quarter of 2014, I have already done 1/3 the sales of the entire previous year, and it continues to grow monthly. I see a lot of trends and I am starting to key in on those more and more. I opened a third shop on Artfire.com and though I haven't seen any real activity there as of yet, I am sure it will grow in time and even if it doesn't, it was a good experiment. Starting this year I began selling all my products with free shipping which I think has been pretty popular too.

So here's to a great start, I'll remember it always!

Regards,

Ethan B. Harris

P.S. I am having way too much fun creating graphics for my site…
 
#65 ·
New Product Line! *Scroll Saw Puzzles*

Hello All,

Just found some time to send an update to Lumber Jocks. Spud Woodworks is growing once more, this time I have launched a new product line! I acquired a NEW in the box 1995 Delta Scroll Saw on Ebay… That's right, I couldn't believe it when I came across it! And it is beautiful and works amazingly.

Anyhow, I decided to start making wood puzzles and I designed my first set of them to begin selling. I also added some walnut and maple blocks to my wooden blocks product line as well. Enjoy some photos and take a peak at my website link!

Spud Woodworks















Regards,

Ethan
 
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