Corey Roberts started Dream Acres Wood a little over a year ago and is already running his business full-time. During his time as a former construction superintendent, he noticed the large amount of tree waste that was being burned in brush piles. Wanting to save the wood, he brought a sawmill on-site, milled up the wood, and then let it dry for the next year. Once it was dry, he started making cutting boards and other small projects. His obsession grew, and soon he knew he wanted to purchase his own sawmill.
With the amount of logs he already had on his ten-acre site, he knew the potential for a large ROI was highly possible. With the support of his wife, he took a risk by taking a second mortgage out on his house in order to purchase a sawmill. In addition to the sawmill, he invested in a kiln and a loader. He knew that these three items would be key in growing a sustainable mill in a short amount of time.
Choosing iDRY…
- While Corey was researching the types of equipment that he would need for his shop and noting the profit margins between green and dried wood, he knew that it was imperative that he purchase his kiln and sawmill at the same time.
- Wanting to ensure that the wood he produced would be the best color, grain, cut, and shape possible, Corey spent many weeks researching and diving into the woodworking community where he asked questions regarding the different types and brands of kilns. After considering the time that would be spent building his own kiln and the trial and error it would take to learn how to effectively use it, he decided to go with the iDRY, as he knew the financial investment would be similar but with less time spent building and learning and more time drying and reaping the financial benefits.
- In addition, once Corey purchased his iDRY, he was amazed at the iDRY community support he received- not only from other iDRY owners, but from the owner of the iDRY company itself, Jim Parker. Corey recounted for us one late night when he had his pressure up too high and blew a valve, Jim was instantaneously available for him and had a new part sent and the kiln up and running again in short order.
Marketing Dream Acres Through Instagram
- Corey consistently utilizes Instagram to demonstrate his passion and skills. Correctly, he believes that this demonstration of passion shows his customers how important his work is to him and is one of the top reasons that they continue to be drawn to his shop.
Contact Corey and Dream Acres Wood
- https://www.dreamacreswood.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/dreamacreswood/
- https://www.facebook.com/Dreamacreswood/
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What exactly is a Woodpreneur?
So, why the term “woodpreneur”? When Steve first started Acres of Timber three years ago, the wood community and industry wasn’t what it is now.
Slab dealers, wood designers, and more specifically at the time – sawmill users, didn’t have a community or a brand and were going largely unnoticed by potential customers who would look instead to the Home Depot and Lowe’s of this world for their products. Steve sought to change that by creating the Sawmill Business Instagram account and the #sawmillbusiness hashtag as a way to share the products and creations that these innovative makers were producing. It didn’t take long for the account to grow to over 136,000 followers and with a hashtag that has been used over 35,000 times, the Sawmill Business community grew and grew quickly!
As the Sawmill Business following grew, Steve began to notice that this community didn’t just include sawmill owners. Furniture designers, woodworkers, arborists, tree climbers, chainsaw users, slab sellers, and even tree house makers became an integral part of the Sawmill Business family as well. It was at this point that Steve knew the business needed a new name that would truly encompass all that the wood community represents. Hence, @acresoftimber and the term “Woodprener” was born.
With the maker movement now in full swing, there are more podcasts, content creators, (like Anne of All Trades) youtubers, and makers, (such as Matt Cremona) that are putting a spotlight on sawmill users, furniture makers, and other wood related niches. Not only has the wood community turned into a “maker movement” it’s also filled with people who now view the work that they do as a profitable business and not just a hobby. A perception that was lacking without a community behind it.
A “Woodpreneur” Is A…
- Sawmill User
- Wood Business Owner
- Furniture Designer
- Hardwood Flooring Professional
- Woodworker
- Slab Dealer
- Kiln User
- Welder
- Content Creator
- Maker
And an overall innovative, brave, and creative entrepreneur in the wood industry!
“Woodpreneurs care about building their business as much as they care about the quality of the products they make, create, and sell. They don’t just want a job, they want a company. They invest in this company with blood, sweat, and tears and love every minute of it.”
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