The saying goes “It takes a village”. Nothing is more true when it comes to running a woodworking busniess. Even if you work solo, being part of a woodworking community can make a huge difference in your growth and success. Whether you're a pro or just starting out, connecting with fellow woodworkers brings plenty of benefits.
Networking isn’t just for suits
I would say my best ‘networking’ avenue is Instagram. I’ve chatted with and met so many woodworking legends on there I’ve lost count. A strong community connects you with potential clients, partners, and suppliers. Word-of-mouth referrals from fellow woodworkers can lead to new projects, while teaming up with others can spark fresh ideas and collaborations
Grow the Pie
I’m of the theory - If we work together to grow the pie and my pie % stays the same. My pie gets bigger. Everyones pie gets bigger. If we all work together to spread the word of handmade Australian furniture it works in everyones favour. We grow it. We all benefit. Whether it is giving someone a shout out on social media for a cool piece or a hot tip they’ve given you, every little bit helps.
Mental health
Let’s be real—running a woodworking business can be tough and sometimes lonely. I’ve had loads of conversations with other furniture legends during quiet times, when dealing with ‘interesting’ customers or when struggling with tough business decisions. They might not always have the answer you seek but they’ve usually been through a similar thing and it always makes you feel like you’re not alone in the matter.
Staying motivated & inspired
Rarely does a day go by when I don’t see something that blows my mind in the world of woodwork. Plenty of times this has lit a fire under me to build something challenging and grow my skills. We are lucky to have access to a literal world of woodworking ideas in our phones. I would never copy another persons work but I’ve definitely seen a technique or problem solving idea and applied a part of it to one of our builds.
Give Back and Keep the Craft Alive
A strong community isn’t just about taking—it’s also about giving back. Answering newbies questions, sending other guys/girls work when you have too much on or if that job is not the right fit for you or helping out school students with their projects helps strengthen the community.
Surrounding yourself with weapons
You never stop learning when it comes to woodworking. Everyone has different skills that others can benefit from. Surrounding yourself with other like minded woodworkers in the long run will make your work life easier and more enjoyable. I’m lucky enough to have a great woodworking community here in Sydney but I’ve also got a great one online. There are far to many legends in this industry to name.
Don’t go it alone.
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