From $75 to Making My First Million Woodworking

From $75 to Making My First Million Woodworking | What They Don’t Teach You!

Рет қаралды 246,219

Күн бұрын

From starting with $75 to making over a million, I share the top lessons I learned, I wish I knew these lessons when I was a beginner, they would have helped me grow my woodworking business faster. I hope you learn from these lessons and grow your own woodworking business!
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Our goal is to help aspiring craftsmen do what they love for a living! We hope to share our knowledge in the woodworking field and CNC routering through training videos, CNC router techniques, unique projects, and practical applications.
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Timecode
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - #1 Small Fish, Big Pond
1:52 - #2 Competition
3:11 - #3 Customization is Difficult
4:19 - #4 Specialized Equipment
5:26 - #5 The Importance of Software
6:46 - #6 Cut out NVA's
7:57 - #7 Skill ≠ Value
9:24 - #8 Product Life Cycle
10:54 - #9 Sales VS Efficiency
12:20 - #10 ????????
14:13 - Outro

Пікірлер: 228

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Let us know what else you would like to see in future videos!

@woodworkking1099 Жыл бұрын

Less hand movements

@TheWoodenHobbyist Жыл бұрын

I can’t seem to find the article information about the large scale businesses you spoke about.

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

I put it in the description of the video for you!

@tadge74 Жыл бұрын

How about an example of how these ideas and systems are put into practice at your workshop? 2, A walk through of your shop showing a lifecycle of a product from raw material to finish. 3, how your shop is laid out, zones etc and how to keep dust down. 👍

@alexreid4131 Жыл бұрын

Can't believe I haven't seen you before and LOVE the hussle. As a guy from an Operations background starting a woodworking business this speaks to my love language. However, where's your website? I looked on your About YT page, checked out your despcriptions, looked at articles you've done. All I could find was Drapela Works that sell four products. Your operation from this video is clearly bigger than that and those four products don't make you millions so do you have a link to your actual website you can drop in the description please? Got a subscriber outta me...for now 👍

@chrisrevell6889 Жыл бұрын

Most small businesses aren’t able to breakout from the “$10,000” thinking because it forces owners to realize they won’t be in control to the extent they are used to and it’s scary

@drivethru1835 Жыл бұрын

Because there trying to create a Business compared to Fine Woodworkers who create Art disguised as Furniture which can average around 10k for a single piece of furniture. So business or Art should be your first thought into starting something.

@TheRealDill93 Жыл бұрын

What is that thinking?

@ciscokid925 4 ай бұрын

This content is worth its weight in gold. Although it’s specific to wood working it can easily be applied to other small business industries. Sure wish I had this before I started my two small businesses.

@irenovatedmv 3 ай бұрын

Facts.

@crafteywood1899 10 ай бұрын

Hi .I have a small woodworking business .bought a big cnc machine, and we have been doing OK with sales but not where we want to be .these videos really help and motivate us to do better .thank you for these lovely videos ❤

@Spills51 11 ай бұрын

nothing wrong with this...but as soon as you pull me away from building custom work....I would just rather go work for someone else again...which getting away from that was the reason I got into this. I dont need a million a year....I desire to get up and do the job I love and build custom product that im proud of in the end while constantly learning in the process, take that away and im back where I started except now im unhappy with $$....I just wanna make a comfortable living while the majority of my life is building things I love....thats my goal and what I need. This vid is beyond me...not hat I crave. That being said....do whatever truly makes you feel fulfilled and good luck!

@cutting-it-close 11 ай бұрын

Completely agree, you said it very well, but I have a different mission I am on currently at this stage of my life. I hope you knock it out of the park!

@R-L-D 9 күн бұрын

Couldn't agree more. I can't imagine making a million cookie cutter cutting boards. Custom work all the way. But I'm also not a greedy capitalist.

@omarflores323 Жыл бұрын

First video I watch and I subscribed. Such good info. Very real! Very down to earth with reality and what the local market really demands. Thanks!

@ersdds1 Жыл бұрын

Really good video on so many levels. I think you left out one key item. At the top should be your burning desire to make yourself better and your sense of urgency. It is also quite evident you are not working... you love what you do, and you are passionate about it. It's a pleasure to watch your growth. Keep on improving!

@mitchwabeke5710 2 ай бұрын

I love your videos like these. Number one is what I needed to hear.

@NWGR 11 ай бұрын

Another great one, thanks Ryan. Having sold a bunch of items I made, cutting out NVAs one of the most important things I learned along the way. Keep it up! Your success is well-earned.

@bowlchamps37 10 ай бұрын

The man who started my business once told me, there is just 3 words you need to know to run a successful business: Quality. Quality. Quality. If you build quality stuff, no matter how expensive your stuff is compared to the market and similiar stuff, it will sell. I sold bird houses to the USFS for $150/piece in 1996 (after they saw one I did in a German magazine), that´s around $300 in today's money. They were 15 times more expensive than the ordinary ones they could have purchased, made in America. Instead they chose a one-man company in the Black Forest in Germany. When they sent clerks to me and I asked them "Why me?", they just said: Quality, Quality, Quality.

@mye-rin Жыл бұрын

Legit advise as always Ryan. Been watching you for a couple of years and It's cool to see someone giving advise that actually does the work. Hard to find on youtube.

@IDCWoodcraft Жыл бұрын

I hope your viewers can absorb the mindset aspect

@doycowzintexas1672 3 ай бұрын

I see a lot of integrity in your videos ,,, thanks for keeping it real brother

@cutting-it-close 3 ай бұрын

I do what makes me sleep well at night, just so happens to be the truth that I understand. Thank you for watching, I hope it helped!

@undergroundblu 6 ай бұрын

Thank you, i haven't come across many people in your position with these explanations. Appreciated!

@JimPBarber 9 ай бұрын

This was awesome. I have experienced number 8. I woodwork like a lot of people. However, I do have a business that is not related. This is some of the best business advice I have heard in a very long time!! Great Video!!! New subscriber!

@nHautamaki Жыл бұрын

Great video! I think the lesson on the product life cycle was particularly interesting because I noticed the exact same thing in two other businesses I have owned and operated in the past. What happens is if you have a great product/service that's selling well, it doesn't take long before imitators come along and do the same thing but offer it for 5-10% cheaper to get their own market share, and if that works for them then more imitators come along and chop another 5-10% off the price and it's a race to the bottom where nobody is making much money and customers don't really need or want it so much anymore anyway. It's not just woodworking, it's practically any business/product/service. Hell even 'boring' stuff like banking/financial products goes through the exact same cycle.

@shawnhall2841 10 ай бұрын

Dude this information is so valuable. Your basically helping people that may one day be a competitor. Thanks.

@cutting-it-close 10 ай бұрын

Happy to help!

@aaronjaggers3117 Жыл бұрын

Well done young man ! Great information

@ionutonea1537 Жыл бұрын

Congratulationes ! Lovely workshop !

@howardsmith5474 Жыл бұрын

Surprisingly good content, thanks for this video

@justinwolfe7381 Жыл бұрын

Very useful information. Changes my thinking on a few things.

@tomthyme 8 ай бұрын

great stuff sir. Congrats on your growth thus far. Wishing you the best in the future. Thank you for sharing!

@cutting-it-close 8 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@craftedbyalvint 11 ай бұрын

Good stuff this applies universally to most businesses

@joeljimenez8560 10 ай бұрын

Good information. Thank you.

@john848sbk1 Жыл бұрын

another great video. thanks!

@r1m.s877 Жыл бұрын

Howdy. I know nothing about woodworking, but I have worked in IT for 25 years. I found your comment about software hilarious, but understandable 😊... many people hate computers, software etc so I understand where you're coming from. One thing you can use your software for, assuming you're tracking relevant data, is to see where you can make efficiency and cost improvements. I guarantee those 100m+ companies are using software, reporting, automation etc to run their businesses. Good luck 👍

@plopolip2135 11 ай бұрын

Bryan has no clue and i like it

@jimrosson6702 Жыл бұрын

Great tips thanks for sharing

@JesseStanchfield 11 ай бұрын

great info, I'm starting up w/so many ideas, totally apppreciate your honesty, TBD! thanks again, liked, subscribed and added to EN for the future!

@cutting-it-close 11 ай бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@seamusmcgrath8250 Жыл бұрын

Awesome job, keep up the great work!!!

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked the video :)

@butch5511 Жыл бұрын

Great Vid! Thanks!

@wolfrobots118 11 ай бұрын

You're videos are remarkably good.

@johnniek8845 Жыл бұрын

Love the videos Boss, great content, thanks again.

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@roberte.wilson5213 7 ай бұрын

I would just love to build things people would enjoy. Thanks for the video.

@TrolloTV Жыл бұрын

Dude, you’re just putting out crazy value in those videos. Are you looking into improving processes at Frio as well? I have quite a lot of insights into businesses that do sewing automation, foam processing and upholstery type stuff through our family business, if you have some questions about stuff like that

@personofnote1571 Жыл бұрын

Awesome. Would love to learn more about that software you are using, or any other back office processes you have.

@omnivore8225 Жыл бұрын

As this initial version of your message becomes more widely seen there will be meeting rooms across the world (virtual and other) that discuss the promotion of business model development and motivational speaking, where there will be evidence of underwear spotting. This was raw, inspiring, educational, and enjoyable. AND, not just for woodworkers. Well done, and thank you.

@georgeburnham2316 Жыл бұрын

Loved this. Thanks mate 😊

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for the feedback 😀

@photojournalists Жыл бұрын

I advise a lot of early stage startup founders in silicon valley and abroad. I was very impressed with the lessons in this video. It’s like giving away gold for free.

@jakWiize Жыл бұрын

the last tip was the best imo!

@miloarchitects Жыл бұрын

You are the BEST mate, learnig a lot with you!

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Thank you, is there other topics you would like me to cover?

@sampletaster5093 Жыл бұрын

You hit the lessons right on the mark

@GregChu-uv7kh Жыл бұрын

Lol. The lessons

@timbutler3733 Жыл бұрын

Wow, great video, thanks for sharing

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@SecondSonWoodworks Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! Appreciate the tips

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@Ccels5765 Жыл бұрын

Great content man! Shocked there wasn’t a few more zeros behind your subscriber count.

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I am working on getting more Zero’s!

@cokimi1301 Жыл бұрын

As always thank you for all your tips! Really helpful :)

@metalmilitia892006 Жыл бұрын

Love the Toyota way reference

@brendanfitzpatrick7399 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your experience... it's extremely valuable and encouraging to some.. hopefully to most.. you're a rare breed, for sure..

@cutting-it-close 3 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

@bardmy Жыл бұрын

Thanks! 👏🤝

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@jonaspedersen3639 Жыл бұрын

thanks

@danmadefurniture 11 ай бұрын

Great video

@jamesturner226 Жыл бұрын

That was an extremely informative, helpful, and well Presented Video....

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@GregChu-uv7kh Жыл бұрын

Lol. Fn babbling con artists

@mysticswordsman Жыл бұрын

I knew it was competitive I had no idea! Lets a gohhh....

@Anonymous-is2qb 9 ай бұрын

Very helpful 👍

@cutting-it-close 9 ай бұрын

Glad you think so!

@robertkerby2581 Жыл бұрын

Great presentation!

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@patricksantel3474 Жыл бұрын

Excellent! Big ahhhha moment with the custom order tip. It’s good to push past your comfort zone and learn from the custom order but the time vs financial return doesn’t add up. Thanks for compiling all this bud.

@user-wc8st2pi1d 11 ай бұрын

Could spend 10s of thousands on going to business school or could watch this video. I chose video - amazing lessons learned. Thanks for providing the free education!

@cutting-it-close 11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@markabernard Жыл бұрын

Great tips. What were some of your first projects when you just started out?

@FALCON390CNCWorks Жыл бұрын

It's very inspirational 🤑👍 thank you for your content. Keep it coming 🙂

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

What else would you like to see in the future?

@FALCON390CNCWorks Жыл бұрын

@@cutting-it-close Would you be able to show your high spec CNC machine in action? 😍

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Sure I’ll make it happen Captain

@FALCON390CNCWorks Жыл бұрын

@@cutting-it-close Awosome ! Looking forward to it. Thanks 👊

@bobnicholas5994 Жыл бұрын

I am close to retirement. I made 10k profit from things I made last year without any sales effort. I found you verifying my own smaller thoughts. Your perspective is dead on. I appreciate all your advice.

@keithmarlowe5569 10 ай бұрын

Do tell. Types of things you make. How you market.

@justinb1382 7 ай бұрын

What type of things are you making?

@themullenmarketwoodworking Жыл бұрын

This was incredible. Thank you so much! Amazing what a good dude you are. The mindset 🤙

@AndyBirdBuilds Жыл бұрын

Killer information Ryan! I often say as I go, my business goes. Mindset is everything.

@jessicalane107 Жыл бұрын

Can you do a run down of the equipment and processes you use in your shop? As you mentioned, knowing what equipment is possible can change and help our businesses. For example, I had no clue there were auto-feeders. Which is a huge tool someone can add to get consistency and add safety. Please do a tour of your shop and explain the equipment you chose and how it works, please and thank you!

@anthonyegner1382 Жыл бұрын

great

@bigpapadaddyo6937 Жыл бұрын

I would love to see you go over your machines? I've never seen a press like that.

@Eldalion99999 11 ай бұрын

riiight, well this just made me scared shitless XD gonna have to walk this off lol

@frijoli9579 Жыл бұрын

Good conceptual video. Can you provide an example of an idea that was or was not successful?

@Ricks2Cents Жыл бұрын

Great Advice!!! 🎉

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@phillipbrown8207 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video sir. I enjoy watching you enthusiastic videos.I am located in the North Texas area. Would love to come and see your shop and chat with you sometime.

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Come on down, I wouldn’t mind a visit!

@WanderingRobotStudio Жыл бұрын

You could add illustrations to the way you talk with your hands. I do too. Drawing a pyramid on screen as you did with your hands, for instance. A little extra time. Also a good tip, always be willing to do the work yourself if you have to. Important for the first million in revenue. But delegation is important for first million in profit.

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Couldn’t agree more and thank you for the tip!

@seanmoglich8099 10 ай бұрын

You`re one of the good ones. May "whoeverisresponsibleforthat" bless you & your family and workers!

@HamiltonDilbeck Жыл бұрын

Great video! Glad to see you investing so much on KZfaq again. Keep it up bro!

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@pauldake9471 Жыл бұрын

one piece of advise---OWN all your equipment---then when the market crashes you will still be standing while the others fail---

@paytonmichaels1297 Жыл бұрын

Where can I get one of your cutting boards?

@chrisnicholson1125 11 ай бұрын

Step 1 have rich parents who's barn and tools you can use to make money

@hypnoticmeditation1095 Жыл бұрын

You want those tens of mills you need one in your company to Organize, one to deliver Ideas, one who is an Action Taker, and one to Build Relationships.

@felderup Жыл бұрын

one thing to remember from the software industry, if the sales team is promising things that simply aren't possible, someone's gonna get a contract that you can't fulfill and have to, they should all have some experience in the field.

@ariberaldin3423 Жыл бұрын

101% honest 👏👏👏

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

What was your favorite one?

@Remarkable1000 11 ай бұрын

Can you do a video about making barn doors and growing a big buisness out of that

@MandrilSolo 9 ай бұрын

Wow …. Great content for free . 👍👍

@cutting-it-close 9 ай бұрын

Glad you think so!

@radiationroom Жыл бұрын

Are you going to be a factory or are you going to be an artist/craftsman. You, my friend, are a factory.

@cotiew Жыл бұрын

I would love to see a video about getting customers, small and big

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Check out our video from last Friday where I outline how I got my first 100 customers!

@Mrhardcore217 Жыл бұрын

Could you please talk more about examples or how to come up with million dollar ideas and your way of researching product ideas? Thanks

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

That's definitely a video we'll be making in the future!

@TheUltimateSurvivalCompanion Ай бұрын

I'm currently starting from absolute scratch building guitars out of my shed, every dime I make goes into tools, the Amazon guy HATES me because he's here every day with multiple heavy boxes

@SaskatchewanBadAss 11 ай бұрын

Im happy with 200-1000 a month extra added to my income from my primary job

@jakeledg Жыл бұрын

Woodworking at an industrial level is not anything like woodworking at a small business level.

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Couldn’t agree more, it has very little to do with woodworking and more to do with yields and throughput

@TrolloTV Жыл бұрын

You can do woodworking at a smaller level with the same principles. It’s just that a lot of small scale woodworkers are way underselling their time and therefore don’t see the need for more efficiency

@jakeledg Жыл бұрын

@@TrolloTV What I was more referring to was the goal shifts from being "the best" at a trade to being the most efficient. Even the tools are on a whole different scale.

@john848sbk1 Жыл бұрын

That's the difference between being an artist and a businessman. This young man is a businessman (and apparently an incredibly good one). There will never be another Michelangelo or DaVinci in our world because machines have become able to do almost as much as the most gifted artist, if not better, and at a fraction of the time and price and, most importantly, to scale. it's a sad reality, however, that's the world we live in and people like this man have adapted and succeeded in the current environment. It's up to the individual whether they want to be the finest steakhouse in their city, or be McDonalds and dominate the world-personal choice of whether the art or the money is more important.

@TrolloTV Жыл бұрын

@@jakeledg True, there’s a major difference in mindset there

@chedmoo1967 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the very informative video!

@edwardmiller8595 Жыл бұрын

So how do you know what type of product to market to even make $10,000? How did you find your clientele to be so profitable?

@AlainPilon Жыл бұрын

Asking an honest question: what is the point of growing from 10M to 100M? Or even from 1M to 10M$? While there are financial benefits for the owner, what are the other reasons? Growth is associated with more stress, less freedom and does not (generally) correlate with happiness. As I am getting older, I am re-evaluating the american model of "growth at all cost". I am seeing this from the software perspective where VC money is given to anyone with a (stupid) idea, hoping to becaber/airbnb /etc... but I think it is applicable to woodworking as well.

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

I think there are different levels and as my perspective changes on the world my ambitions may, but I was put on this earth to work, grow and change numerous lives and my ability to do that grows when my business grows. I feel like VC funded business sometimes have the wrong ambitions and are more engineers than entrepreneurs typically so they have a different stress tolerance. That is my opinion currently as I am I still learning.

@davidelliott5843 Жыл бұрын

This video shows that running a business is not so much about the product as it is running the systems that make the products.

@GregChu-uv7kh Жыл бұрын

He. Any answer of your questions But your question was great. .

@ALPHENPIRAAT Жыл бұрын

I once met a photographer with a big studio and a lot of staff. I asked him if he himself was taking pictures now and then. He said no, but he said running a big business was also satisfying to him.

@bowlchamps37 10 ай бұрын

More money = more power (even if it only boosts the ego). That´s why the richest people in the world do not sell their companies and live a stress-free life with their first billion they made. Also a lot of people who run bigger businesses, they love to work. They cannot switch.

@dominicchappell1399 Жыл бұрын

I think some product examples would help people understand the mindset you are talking about.

@jeremyv2040 Жыл бұрын

Everyone has a 'vision of grandeur'. I think you'd be hard pressed to find 1 'woodworker' out of a hundred that has a vision of grandeur like yours..let alone a million. In any case, keep chasing your grandeur as I hope the rest of us woodworkers chase ours. keep at it.

@jerrodwaterman9793 Жыл бұрын

Doesn't take money to be successful in business. It takes a vision, drive, discipline, character, and execution. Nice video but I prefer to make a little money doing my hobby and challenging myself on every new build. I don't want to build a million cutting boards. I don't want to build 1000 tables for 10000 dollars every year.

@kyleybarra1830 Жыл бұрын

Can you post your Etsy page link, please?

@theamaturepro 10 ай бұрын

The shift in mindset required to go from 1 million to 10+ is something that can't be taught because it's a state of mind, not an action. The greatest way, however, to secure that threshold is to sell and market your success by teaching others. You've done well for yourself and it's impressive man. Keep it up!

@gabrielbush6455 Ай бұрын

Please tell us how you made 10 million @theamaturepro 😂😂😂

@SconHeadVideos Жыл бұрын

So do you not put any finishes on your chopping boards anymore?

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Yes I do!

@SconHeadVideos Жыл бұрын

@@cutting-it-close What finish do you use mostly?

@cutting-it-close Жыл бұрын

Mineral Oil and beeswax

@dattepo7534 Жыл бұрын

Damn the being efficient fucked me up I was thinking like if it was a kitchen I can cook more efficiently need to master that

@michaelwillson6847 Жыл бұрын

Ok ive just found your channel and i wouldn't say i was at the very start stage im in the bottom stage of yhe pyramid as u said. I seriously need pick yiur brains is there any way a could email you with few questions and get some advice? Ps new subscriber!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

@camels9654 Жыл бұрын

I lost a bit of hair from working 80 hour weeks at my biz for the last 8 years. Part of running a biz and red lining yourself constantly. Get you some FUE, in 8-12 months you'll thank me.