The Woodpreneur Podcast

In this episode, host Jennifer Alger explores urban wood utilization with Rick Siewert from Wood From the Hood. Rick shares how his business started from a simple dare and grew into a successful enterprise focused on sustainability and innovation in woodworking. The conversation covers industry challenges, the importance of standards and certification, networking within the urban wood community, a...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger speaks with Caleb and Kelly Geer of Urban Tree Merchants about their journey in the urban wood industry. They discuss their passion for utilizing local trees, the challenges of running a woodworking business, and the importance of community partnerships. The conversation highlights innovative projects, marketing strategies, and the si...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger speaks with Todd Walker, the director of marketing at NWH, who has been with the company for 38 years. They discuss the evolution of the wood industry, particularly the commercialization of alder, changes in marketing strategies over the decades, and the importance of storytelling in connecting with consumers. Todd shares insights on...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Matthew Arnold from KJP Select Hardwoods. They discuss Matthew's journey in the lumber industry, the evolution of e-commerce in woodworking, and the challenges of shipping and regulations.  Matthew shares insights on customer education, custom orders, and trends in the woodworking industry, including the shift away from liv...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Kevin Scheimreif, the owner of Steel and Grain. Kevin shares his journey from woodworking as a child to establishing his own custom furniture business. He discusses the challenges he faced in pricing, sourcing materials, and navigating the woodworking industry. Kevin emphasizes the importance of creativity in his work, part...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Ryan Moore from Urban Wood Company. They discuss Ryan's journey into woodworking, the establishment of his business, and the unique challenges and successes he has faced. The conversation covers the importance of sourcing and drying wood, the significance of team culture, and the impact of technology and trends in the woodw...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger speaks with Jay Peight from JointaWood, who transitioned from farming to woodworking and eventually to manufacturing machines for the woodworking industry. Jay shares his journey of engineering a flattening machine, the challenges he faced during the boom in the sawmill industry, and his insights on market trends for live edge slabs. ...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Cody McKee of Mountain Milling Co. They discuss the company's evolution from a lawn care service to a sawmill operation specializing in Eastern Red Cedar. Cody shares insights into the challenges of running a family business, the operational bottlenecks they face, and the impact of market trends on their sales. The conversa...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger speaks with Rodney Jacobs from Unique Woods of the Northwest about the restoration of big trees in the Pacific Northwest and the collaborative efforts with the Coquille Tribe. They discuss the ecological benefits of restoring these trees, the process of sawmilling, and the importance of creating local jobs and skills development. Rodn...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger reconnects with Viktor Sarudi from The Stump Shop to discuss the evolution of his business, strategies for growing a social media presence, and how he monetizes his work through brand partnerships. Viktor shares insights on navigating sponsored content, understanding algorithm changes, and his marketing strategies, emphasizing the imp...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger speaks with Daniel West of Big Ass Slabs about his journey in the woodworking industry. Daniel shares his background in timber framing, the transition to focusing on live edge slabs, and the challenges he faces in marketing and customer engagement. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in his business and the need for diversifi...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Daniel Torres of Deadwood Revival Design. Daniel shares his inspiring journey from firefighter to full-time entrepreneur in the urban wood industry. The conversation explores themes of commitment, collaboration, and innovation—especially within the unique challenges of urban wood. Daniel discusses the importance of communit...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger introduces the podcast’s new direction—highlighting sustainable practices, community empowerment, and innovation in woodworking. Guest Marji Medina, founder of It’s Not Trash, shares her inspiring journey from a childhood of salvaging materials to building a furniture business rooted in sustainability, affordability, and purpose. Marj...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, new host Jennifer Alger talks with Brendan Vande Kamp of Logs to Lumber about his unexpected entry into sawmilling and how he grew his business. They cover the shift from live edge slabs to dimensional lumber, the value of investing in better tools, and new revenue streams like cabin building. Brendan also shares insights on branding, certification, and...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur podcast, host Jennifer Alger introduces the new direction of the show, focusing on the sawmill and woodworking community. She interviews Sims Acuff, founder of Eutree, who shares his journey from starting a tree service to transitioning into the lumber business. The conversation covers the challenges of business growth, the importance of investing in equipment, a...

In this episode of The Woodpreneur Podcast, hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger, guest Seth San Filippo of Urban Lumber Company shares the story of building his business over the past nine years—navigating challenges, embracing growth, and evolving as a leader. He reflects on the unique experiences that come with working in the urban lumber industry, from salvaging materials to crafting...

Steve and Jennifer analyze the evolving lumber and sawmill industry on this Woodpreneur Podcast episode, spotlighting emerging opportunities from tariffs and the power of collaboration. Jennifer outlines strategic steps for small producers—from inventory building to cooperative models—while highlighting the urban wood sector's growth potential. The discussion champions local resource utilization a...

On the Woodpreneur Podcast, Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger interview Zach Bancroft of 805 Woodworks about his transition from antique dealing to custom furniture making. Zach discusses developing his craft style, material sourcing, and the vital role of word-of-mouth marketing. He shares candid insights about pandemic-era business struggles, mental health challenges, and his passion for crea...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur podcast, hosts Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger interview Nick Mooers from Maverick Sawmill. They discuss the growth of Nick's business during the pandemic, exciting projects, including a massive walnut table, and the development of a new shop to enhance operational efficiency. Nick shares insights on leadership, industry trends, and the balance between raw a...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, hosts Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger interview Chris Hitchcock from Coyote Custom Woodwork. Chris shares his journey as a self-taught woodworker, discussing his passion for creating unique pieces and the challenges he faces in the industry. He emphasizes the importance of networking and word-of-mouth referrals in building his client base, as well a...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere introduces new co-host Jennifer Alger, a seasoned professional in the wood industry. They discuss Jennifer's extensive experience, the importance of collaboration in the urban lumber sector, and the launch of AncesTREE, an innovative inventory management software. Steve shares his transition to focusing on designers and builders, e...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur podcast, host Steve Larosiliere interviews Juan Bruera from Reclaimed Wood Source. Juan shares his journey from construction to entrepreneurship, discussing how he built his reclaimed wood business. The conversation covers business operations, family-work balance, material sourcing, and digital marketing strategies, highlighting how creating engaging content and...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur podcast, host Steve Larosiliere interviews Katie Nagji, the founder of Swann Closet Design. Katie shares her journey from working in a larger closet company in New York City to starting her own business in Austin, Texas. She discusses the challenges and rewards of building a new client base, the evolving trends in closet design, and her creative process in delive...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere interviews Christopher Anderson from Saltwater and Sawdust Woodworks. Christopher shares his inspiring journey from military service to starting a woodworking business. He discusses the challenges of pricing, the evolution of his projects, and the critical role of community and social media in building his brand. Christopher highli...

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere interviews Joe Trave from Village Handcrafted, who shares his inspiring journey from building furniture in his backyard to managing a thriving manufacturing operation. Joe discusses the challenges of scaling his business, the importance of craftsmanship, and the future of American manufacturing. He highlights the necessity of obses...