If I Had to Start From 0, This is What I Would Do to Grow a Woodworking Business by 731 Woodworks

 

This week 731 Woodworks is bringing us the tips on how to grow your woodworking business from scratch. If you are planning to start or have just started, this blog is for you! 

 

What You Need to Start 

 

He started his woodworking business in February 2017 with a borrowed circular saw and borrowed drills. You really don’t need many tools and items to start your passion, your woodworking business. 

 

Have a Plan

 

It is absolutely vital to have a business plan. You need to know what you want to do, what projects do you want to build. Wood businesses can take many paths, you have to decide which one is right for you. 

 

You need to pick something that you want to be known for in your local community and in a wider area. You can create content to let people know that you are the go-to-person if they encounter this kind of problem or they want this kind of furniture. 

 

 

 

Love what you build

 

Try to build what you love, because if you love what you are doing you’ll put all the effort and heart into what you do. 

 

If you love what you do, you don’t feel like working, it will just be like doing what makes you happy. Running a business is extremely hard because if having or running a business was easy then everybody would just do it.  But if you love doing it you will push forward and you won’t give up very quickly. 

 

It Takes Time to Grow 

 

Keep in mind that it’s going to take some time to actually build your business. Start small and work your way up. 

 

The main thing is to provide value to your customers, give them more than expected, and it will actually translate into more orders. They will share with their friends, relatives, and work colleagues about how great you were to work with and how you went the extra mile for them. 

 

For example: if you are selling cutting boards, you can give them some cutting conditioners so they can keep them conditioned. Things like these will actually add value and show that you care about them. 

 

 

 

Do You Really Need That Tool?

 

Keep in mind that you need to buy tools as you actually need them, not as you want them. 

 

We all want to have the big table saws and miter saws and all the newest stuff but sometimes you really don’t need that to complete the project. Many of us have been guilty of this over the years. Only buy tools when you need them, and you will save yourself a lot of money and a lot of grief.

 

Require a Deposit 

 

It is highly recommended to get at least 50% downpayment deposits on commission works. They need to pay you first before starting the project. This tip will secure you that the customer will not change their mind and just back out. 

 

If the project price is $300 then get a $150 downpayment to lock the project in and put them in your schedule. Then give them a timeline on how many days you need to finish the project. 

 

 

 

 

Stable Income Source

 

It is also a great idea to keep a source of income. Don’t just off into a full-time business without knowing if that’s going to work. We kept my full-time job for four years and a half and did this on the side. Doing so required a ton of hours of work, but it allowed me to build it into what you see today. It’s worth it in the end, but it’s going to take a lot of work. Don’t just abandon everything to jump to a new thing without knowing or having some general idea that it’s probably going to work. 

 

Business Licenses and LLCs

 

I get these questions all the time. People want to know, do you have to have a business license to be in business as a woodworker or do you have to be an LLC?

 

I’m not an attorney and I’m not a tax professional so consult those for legal advice and tax advice, but in Arkansas you can operate as a sole proprietor. I’m not sure about your state as far as sales tax and charging tax on things you’ll need to check out your state’s requirements each state may be different as far as LLC goes.

 

All those rules should be on your secretary of state’s website just search your state’s name secretary of state and then you’ll find everything you need to know about LLCs there as far as business licenses some cities and counties does require you to have certain licenses to do certain businesses so you would need to check with your local authority before you go to find customers. 

 

IG: @731woodworks