How is business in your area?

Hey Nate,

I’ve never worked in your niche but I have a friend that was fairly successful. When I asked him about getting into making furniturer, he told me it requires a lot of travel. He finally gave it up not because he wasn’t making money but because in order to make money he had to be on the road the majority of the time.

The most successful marketing for him was attending high-end furniture shows. That was where he made his contacts. He only did a couple pieces a year, if that, for people that lived in our community. This was a while back when the economy was better so I would imagine that now it would be even more necessary to get out there and show your work. In other words, waiting for calls/emails and only selling locally probably won’t generate many sales.

The other thing I’ve been told is you have to market to the high end when making furniture. Bringing quality furniture to the average consumer is usually not a winning strategy. Again, not talking from personal experience but just repeating what I’ve been told by several people that have made a successful business out of making furniture.

Exporting is becoming a very real option, even for smaller shops. That’s more of an add on once you have an established business here though.

If you can find your niche, there is work out there. My business is growing because I found something that not many people want to do. Wood screen doors. I do entry doors as well but focusing on screen doors has helped me grow faster since there is not much competition.

-- http://www.columbiawoodscreendoors.com

I don’t do furniture like you but rather personalized items for children, babies and adults.
Last year sales were up over 7% from the previous year. and yes that year was up from the year before.

-- Jim Beachler, Chief Puzzler, http://www.hollowwoodworks.com

Nate aren’t you building for eureka and how is that doing? Is it down Also? I don’t try to make a living doing wood work, I’ve always felt it is a hobby. Although I did get wrangled into doing some roll top Desks year ago and made a little money but began to feel like I had to work and that took the fun out. Haven’t done one in 12 years now. Sorry to hear things are slow.

-- BobG, Lowell, Arkansas--------My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am! Make more saw dust!!

move over to belgium, in front of my villages woodworker shops there’s a collection of the latest bmw’s, juguar and porsche’s

cabinet biz in my area is non existent did three kitchens last year and aint lookin to top that anytime soon.

-- As Best I Can

I have been rehabbing houses in Chicago for the past few years instead of building furniture full time. It pays the bills and for the higher end customers, I have been building furniture to go in the houses.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

I honestly believe that you have to build something unique to get your name out there, and then try and make a living teaching other hobbyists to refine their skills. The money is in teaching others, more than it is in building for others. Just my opinion.

Gator

-- Master designer of precision sawdust and one of a kind slivers.

I’ve been making one of a kind furniture pieces and shown in a couple of galleries. I retired from teaching thinking that now I could go full time but the economy retired at the same time! Whereas I used to have a few projects every summer while working full time that hasn’t held true. I live in Las Vegas which is not a good market for fine furniture. Like someone else mentioned, most folks want it free and yesterday! I have had some success but not what I was hoping for. Keep your skills honed and when the market returns you’ll be ready.

-- John Visit my Blog: http://woodworksbyjohn.blogspot.com/

John, If you look at what is happening in Wisconsin, you’ll see why you have no market. Most people are wondering how to keep the house and eat. High dollar, hand made, fine furniture is the last thing on their minds these days. I was working on several rental units owned by a couple who have 2 restaurants in Seattle. They are wondering how to pay off the remodeling mortgages on the rentals and buy gas to get to work.

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

swamped

-- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso