Last week, I continued my conversation with Abbey Crane on the Unscripted Small Business Podcast, exploring more aspects of my woodworking journey and business philosophy. If you missed Part 1, you can find it here. Now, let's dive into more insights from our discussion!

The Creative Process and Inspiration

When Abbey asked about my creative process, I reflected on how my background in fine art has influenced my woodworking. While I studied graphic design in college, I've always found more satisfaction in creating functional art pieces:

"I've always been kind of a creative type of person. Grew up doing a lot of fine art, drawing and painting. So now it's more functional art. I find it most gratifying to make things that will improve people's lives and fulfill a function."

I particularly enjoy designing multipurpose items that combine utility with aesthetics, such as storage beds that provide both a place to sleep and additional storage space. The artistic element remains crucial—exploring different wood combinations, shapes, and styles keeps the work fresh and engaging.

This passion for functional art extends to smaller items as well, like my handcrafted epoxy coaster sets made from spalted poplar, which showcase how even everyday items can be both beautiful and practical.

Recent Projects and Accomplishments

One of my recent accomplishments is a mission-style kitchen island I created for friends in Pennsylvania:

"It's a mission style, arts and crafts style with quarter sawn oak, which is one of my favorites. They wanted bright brass hardware, so it has these bright brass caster wheels and door pulls. It came out really classy."

The piece features quarter sawn red and white oak with a cherry stain, showcasing the beauty of combining different wood elements in a practical, functional piece.

I've also been exploring the world of gaming furniture, including Crokinole boards—traditional Canadian dexterity board games that require precision craftsmanship. This has led me to appreciate the work of other craftsmen in the gaming space, like the beautiful custom board game tables created by BandPass Design. Their tables blend form and function in ways that resonate with my own philosophy of craftsmanship, creating dedicated spaces for family and friends to gather around timeless games.

Balancing Work and Life as a Solo Entrepreneur

Running a one-person shop means wearing many hats and finding ways to stay motivated. When Abbey asked about how I manage this balance, I mentioned the importance of self-care:

"Coffee, lots of coffee, and taking time for myself."

Being outdoorsy helps balance the time spent in the shop. I enjoy hiking, hunting, fishing, and target shooting—activities that connect me to my rural Pennsylvania roots. I also appreciate spending time in downtown Cookeville's breweries and enjoying the local scene.

"Nature is very restorative."

Family Support and Collaboration

While I primarily work alone (with my dog Sookie as the self-appointed "floor inspector"), I did share how my fiancée Autumn occasionally helps with projects:

"Autumn is really helpful if I need her. Sometimes we collaborate. She's a very talented artist too. She's been doing wood burnings for a few years now, and her work is just amazing. Sometimes she'll engrave something for me."

These collaborations add unique elements to certain pieces and represent the supportive relationship that helps sustain my business.

Business Structure and Philosophy

When discussing business structure, I explained why I've chosen to remain a sole proprietorship despite potential liability concerns:

"There's liability—that's probably the biggest downside. Your personal assets are at risk if you were sued, versus an LLC with limited liability. But I don't really see that as a major concern. I engineer my pieces to mitigate that risk."

I don't use patents for my designs, recognizing that in woodworking, we're all "borrowing and incorporating other woodworkers' and artists' ideas." This philosophy reflects my approach to the craft as part of a continuum of tradition and innovation.

My approach is similar to what they teach at High Ticket: the subtle art of selling premium products and being perceived as a "reputable brand"— It's all about how I focus on quality craftsmanship rather than mass production.

Insurance and Risk Management

On the practical side of business, I maintain basic insurance for my shop and physical assets. When Abbey asked about product liability insurance, I explained my perspective:

"I build everything with the highest effort into sound joinery so it's not going to break under normal use. If I were paranoid, I would put some kind of sticker or have someone sign a waiver. But it doesn't seem like that's a real risk for the kind of things that I build."

This confidence comes from a commitment to quality craftsmanship rather than mass production.

Shipping and Logistics

One interesting aspect of my business model involves shipping larger furniture pieces:

"Things that I will ship to other states will be under the UPS weight limit, which is about 150 pounds for the heaviest item I've shipped. I'll build crates for bigger items, but I don't have to deal with the logistics of freight shipping."

For particularly large or complex pieces, I prefer working with local clients and delivering items personally:

"If I spend 100 hours making a piece of furniture, I'm not going to entrust that to some hourly employee."

Final Words of Wisdom

As we wrapped up our conversation, Abbey asked me to complete the sentence "You have to ____ to ____," and I responded:

"You have to know better to do better. Never stop learning. Always keep educating yourself."

This philosophy guides both my craftsmanship and business practices—continuous improvement through knowledge and experience.

I hope you enjoyed this second part of our interview recap! If you're interested in learning more about Foxmoor Studio or would like to discuss a custom piece , find me on Etsy, Instagram, and Facebook as FoxmoorStudio.

You can also browse my custom woodwork gallery to see more examples of my craftsmanship.