A little tip about sanding: set the sander on the surface then turn it on. It'll avoid the potential issue on marking the wood if you don't land the sander flat on the surface.

Yes, closing gift was photo shoot in front of my wife and I in front of our new home by a decent photographer which was printed on canvas and stretched on a frame. Nice pic but sitting on a shelf out of the way in the office. Really enjoy your content and thoughtfulness to include others on your adventure. Keep it up.

If you could possibly get an interview with Jim McIngvale in Houston, you could probably learn more from this man in 30 minutes than in years of struggling. I’ve been in Houston as long as he has and watched him grow a furniture selling business in Houston, starting in a tent on I-45 north, into a multi million dollar business. Even at his age now, he is a non stop working machine. I’ve watched most of your videos, and he would probably have answers to many questions. He is a big believer of made in America furniture, and is a wealth of knowledge. But, the hard part would be getting an interview with him. Like I said, he is a non stop worker. Who knows, he may be interested in items you could make. Keep up the great work, and keep making great videos. Y’all are on the right track to a bright future in woodworking. Best of luck. Viewer in Sugar Land, TX.

I did it was fantastic it was a starters kit for the house it had coffee,tea, biscuits some uhd milk, basic cleaners, a loo roll and a kitchen roll all the little things you don't think of on the first day. loved it!

We got a home warranty as a closing gift once. Loved it AND used it on a major air conditioner replacement.

Jennie, funny you should ask. I have two gifts we got when we moved into our last house, a ranch, no stairs. Wifey was having a lot of difficulty getting up the flights from our last abode. We received one cutting board and one utility knife. The knife is super sharp and I use it all the time since I do the cooking, honey, and I pay the rent. I've never used the cutting board until two days ago when I cut off the logos and used what was left as a box cover for a decorative box to give to someone. I use glass cutting "boards" when I cook. The box came out great. Wish I could show it to you.

I'm just now getting into wood working. I hadn't really thought about woodworking until we moved here and we had to heat our home with wood. I found a source of nearly unlimited FREE hard wood scraps from a local large cabinet manufacture. Wood worked great for heating our home but as I was cutting and burning it I just was amazed at what they were throwing away. 8-12 foot 1"x2" (or larger some times) boards of Oak, (white and red) Hickory, Maple (several types) , Ash, Cherry, Poplar, and tons of Black Walnut ! We're building our house and I'm doing all the interior work (plumbing, heating, electrical, floors, sheetrock, painting, counter tops and cabinets, etc.) and am having to learn a lot along the way.. Among the skills I'm having\getting to learn is wood working. With all that free good hard wood I figure I can make some $$ at this. I've already made a couple of nice cutting boards for us and to give as Christmas presents later this year, and I'm currently building an 8' x 28" butcher block counter top for the kitchen. One thing I also will be doing is learning how to make my own cabinets. Neighbors and others have asked if I'm going to making\selling them. They don't need them but I was curious do you guys do that ? I was thinking about just milling and selling the wood as lumber but maybe ?? I get pickup loads of wood whenever I want basically and I do need to find a new trade due to osteoarthritis in my spine and a basically every other main joint in muh old frame so... Any thoughts.?

the more I watch your videos the more I learn thank you guys your videos are so helpful

Your decision to tame cost was spot on. I was making End grain 3D cutting boards for a realtor friend of mine and I lost money on about 10 boards. I was pricing them to low and spending to much for the lumber. I used all the pretty species of wood and practically gave them away. I can make some pretty nice boards for less money, but it would be hard for me to go to my friends and ask fro the same money for a less pretty board. So I just stopped making them. I wish I would have used your approach.

I just discovered you guys a few days ago. Im Hooked! Everything you do is informative and extremely well done. Thank you for sharing!

Have received several over the last 10 years or so in Southern California. Most were gift cards and were used. I actually preferred them because as a wood worker (and they knew it) I could always make most anything.

You guys are great. Thank you for the information. All success.

I get magnetic calendars every year from my realtor. I put them on my fridge every year since I brought my house. Very nice lady. I enjoy your channel I’m more of a weekend wood working novice so I get tips from your channel thank you god bless.

I can see why it's your best selling or will be, it's a simple yet sophisticated design that's easily customized, way to go guys

Maple and Cherry are excellent choices for the board. You have done your homework and you are offering a very nice product.

Honestly, I love the craftsmanship and the relationship you have with your viewers!

I have purchased several houses. My regular house, a vacation house and 3 rentals and not once have I received a closing gift (although the last purchase was in 2014). I have a realtor friend and he gives Ring but I think the cutting board is also good and if I can get some spare time I may start doing something like that with him.

We got a basket with various lemon scented soaps and kitchen things. We hung onto it for a while and then tossed it. Used a couple of the soaps but mostly trashed 😬 I love the idea of utilitarian/useful things from local craftspeople. Cutting board would’ve been dope.

I just moved to Houston and started a woodworking business myself! Hope to see you guys around!

Two comments: (1) I’d love to see a video from y’all on the Glowforge machine. I recently heard about it dor the first time, and I am really interested in it. (2) We have bought two houses, using the same Realtor. She was an artist who gave us custom paintings of both houses. They hang in our house to this day.

My closing gift was a Ring doorbell, and yes I use it!

An oldie but goodie as I ramp up my efforts. Yes…there are people who desire art. But as you mentioned…grab their budget, hit the real goals (advertising, gift giving, high quality) and make the money.

I do cutting boards for a few friends who are realtors and I get $100 each. I buy cutting boards on the cheap and either laser engrave or cnc in a personalized monogram specific to the family. My constraint is 'time.' I don't always have time to build custom boards and the ones I build I can't sell for $100. I also like to hit thrift stores because I can pick up cutting boards for $2 to $10. I sand or plane them and carve or burn a design into them. Just my .02. Keep up the good work!

Davis, I did not know you were a web designer. So was I for 18 years. I slowly got back into wood working myself. I really enjoy listening to your tips & advise. Keep up the good work 👌

We received a cute pair of cartoon drawings of our new house and our old one in matching frames. We still have them hanging on our wall as an “old meets new” thing in the family room.

Hey guys. I applaud you're desire to get into this field. I'm an amateur woodworker as well and have made and sold a bunch of things. My biggest problem, especially today with wood, is getting it at a reasonable price. I've made the same boards as you with purple heart, zebra wood, and some other exotic woods and the price point is high. You may want to consider making the boards thinner which would result in a lower price per piece. If you're selling it to real estate agents all they care about is how good it looks. And you can make these boards go to the next level with a thin strip of an exotic wood and it wouldn't raise the cost. Anyway, keep chugging away and good luck.

Received wine. Absolutely used it. ;-)

Our closing gift, was continually dropping a scheduled date, and get a new one. We went through 5 of them in just 6 weeks. I took a month off for vacation to move, to have the date fall on my first week back to work....lol

Bought several properties in my time. Only one realtor in Texas gave us a clay outdoor thermometer to put by the pool.

6 years ago our realtor squared us away with a bundle she put together from Lowe's which included the trademark orange five gallon bucket, a couple of packs of shop towels, some Zep glass cleaner and another bottle of Zep....that does the same thing as goo be-gone but I'm tired and can't think of the right word. We still have that bucket and we use it allllll the time. There was some other stuff in there but I can't recall what it might have been.

When we bought our first house our realtor gave us a stepping stone (I guess that’s what it’s called) with the closing date and our last name on it. Sentimental and easy enough to use, in the sense that we put it in the grass next to our front porch and I guess that counts as using it

Informational and succinct. Excellent points. It’s not about the creator. It’s about the client. Is that Dweck’s Mindset on the side table btw? Growth Mindset… great read!

I was asked what kind of yard tools i already own, and ended up getting a very nice leaf blower. I use it all the time even to blow out the dust of my garage when i build stuff 🤣

Hi Guys, a possible tip to help you with your cutting boards. I'm a woodworker and my father started out as a wooden boat builder in the fifties. Later in life I was manufacturing quality billiard tables and we were laminating the rails from strips cut out of white oak. My father happened to be visiting and we walked thru the shop: I mentioned a concern I had for the rails not warping. He said that a transom on a wooden power boat had to be strong and stay true forever. What they did was reverse every second strip of oak in the laminating process. This would alter the grains and once glued up gave a extremely strong and warp resistant panel. We did our pool table rails this way and never had a single one come back. I think this would work well for your cutting boards. As you glue up panels reverse every second strip from the original ripped board. You should end up with a board that stays flat and true. Best of luck with your enterprise. Steve (64yrs) Manitoba, Canada.

I’ve bought two properties in my life, one just recently. I’ve only received a closing gift for the recent purchase. It was a welcome mat with my last name on it.

Yea I got a wine bottle opener... my wife used it a few time but it’s stored away mostly. Now a cutting board would be awesome!!!! I want to purchase one of y’all’s.

At closing our Realtor gave us a very nice handmade wood wall hanging cut in the outline of the state of Kentucky where we live. It hangs proudly in our entryway.

Love your channel. A great book the e-myth, by Michael Gerber. Regarding sales, love your approach. Always figure out what your product will do for the customer, people buy for emotional reasons, uncover their emotional reason, you are gold. Not in the wood working business, nor any business for that matter. Retired wood working is a hobby. You guys are headed down the right track!! Dave

Received a set of tumblers (Yeti Knock-offs) but we've used them so much their logo that was printed on them has worn off. So yes useful. And that was Dec, 2018.

That is a really nice cutting board!

I am so glad I found and watched this video! Listen guys your tip is amazing, I just made my first cutting board from Walnut, Maple, Purple heart and Cherry and I was really troubled about the price point and what people will really want - as you said they have a price limit but they want a good cutting board, perhaps not the ultimate but a fine one. In any case, I wish you success and health, its always inspiring me to see people taking chances to explore life and escape the 9-5 to do something they love and believe in. You have a new sub:))

Selling to realtors is an awesome idea! It would be worth talking to home builders, as well. Whenever some developers sell properties and finish major milestones in a house build, they offer "house-warming" presents to the customer. There's so many homes being built in TX, it might open up a large pool of business for you.

Thanks for sharing! I love the thickness of this cutting board. ❣💯

The one I made for my neighbor that was moving away from the beach had a juice catch all around plus finger grab on the sides under the board. Otherwise everything is the same. Make sure you use stainless screws on the feet or they will rust when the board is washed. Love what you guys do. I'm a retired engineer living in Wilmington, NC by the beach. I going to make more cutting boards plus cornhole boards. They are easy to build.. Also beautiful flag cases out of cherry wood. I designed it for my fathers casket flag and an idea from Michael Savage. A talk show host in San Fransicko. My problem is pricing and marketing. I'm going to keep and eye on you. Wish you the best and God Bless

I had a very similar idea, just at the time had no way to get it done. Now I have a small shop and see you guys are making it work. Good luck, I think you'll do well with this.

Happy to have you guys back! Hurricane looked crazy on Instagram! Been binging all your videos and my fiancé and I started our small business! Thank you for all the great advice and can’t wait to watch your future videos!

My closing gift was relator paid for the home inspection. It definitely was a plus but I would have loved to receive a board such as these.

you inspire, sold my first cutting board today ..

My favorite cutting board is one my parents have had for decades. It was taken from an old bowling ally lane and cut into appropriate sized blocks. It is EXTREMELY thick and heavy. I'd guess it is 2 1/2 inches thick, or maybe even 3 inches? Avoid the word "CHEAPEST"....it makes the product sound like a "cheap" Chinese knock-off. Use the term "Inexpensive". It is the same point, but it is less degrading to your product and efforts. When we bough this house, we were given a cutting board by our realtor. It was decent, but I could not tell you where it is located today, and we bought this house about 30 months ago. It was not as thick as what you build, maybe 3/4 inch thick, but definitely less than 1 inch. Their business name/logo was burned in with a LASER, which is an acronym for light amplification by simulated emission of radiation. Sorry, I seldom get to really use much from my college degree so I throw out tidbits now and then. :0) When I get set up a little more I'll follow up with the realtor as we're still friends with her. Maybe I can grab that little piece of business. Anyway, I do not think it was thrown in the trash, I think it just got misplaced in the process of moving in. As someone that has sharpened knives for 43 years and has never met a knife from a factory that I could not quickly make even sharper, you may want to add information on how beneficial it is to use a cutting board to maintain the edge on a quality knife. You may already have this out there...I've not scoured your information so forgive me if I am repeating information. First, never use a straight edge knife against a hard surface like a ceramic plate or granite counter top or other hard surface. You will end up rolling the cutting edge to the side and you'll end up cutting using the rolled edge instead of the cutting edge. Many times when you watch professional chefs use a sharpening rod, they are not trying to remove material to sharpen the edge, they are trying to index the cutting edge back in line with the spine. If you're going to cut on a plate or hard surface, use a serrated blade. I hate serrated blades, but since I do not eat my steak off a wooden plate or cutting board, they are a necessary evil. Always wipe down a cutting board with a sanitizing agent after cutting raw meat so you do not leave bacteria behind that will get on any veggies you cut afterwards. When you are done cutting and need to move food to the side or slide it off the cutting board, do not drag the cutting edge along the board. This will roll the edge and dull it. Instead, flip the blade so you are using the blunt spine of the edge to move the food, then rotate the blade again when you are ready to start cutting again. Sorry, off topic... To keep the price at the $100 price point and still look like a much higher quality and more expensive cutting board? Make decent boards and maybe use some type of CNC machine to engrave/LASER burn an image or name into the board. Use a little less expensive types of hardwood? Use fewer pieces of wood to glue together to reduce the amount of cuts and the amount of time it takes to create the finished product? Maybe do a cutting board that looks like the first charcuterie board in the previous video with the light wood and the thin strip of dark wood in the middle? Keep it simple without the handles, just a square board (maybe a 1 inch round corner?) and a double chamfer or rounded edge, and a juice trough? If you built them like this, you could build a single long cutting board, run through the planer and then cut them to length after to reduce time spent on doing each step on each individual cutting board? I think a heavier double chamfer would add an elegant look to the board and make it pop.

Youcan still have the exotic woods in these projects. You just have to use it VERY sparingly. I know black walnut isn't considered "exotic" BUT its does cost more than maple and cherry. It can be used in the same board with only 2 or 3 strips at ⅛" wide to add the contrast/pop of color you're needing. Same goes for any other lumber that you may feel is at a price point that's not conducive to making a nice profit on at the $100. mark. Keyword: Sparingly

Been making cutting boards for about 3 years now in the shape of Michigan for closing gift for two different realtors.

Enjoying your videos and journey! I was self employed as a photographer for 28 years and have been through a lot of the same thought processes. Just make sure to have fun along the way!!!😁

I love doing this stuff. From where do you source your hard wood? Often times I find it's difficult to offer people a reasonable price because of the cost of materials.

I have flipped five houses. My realtor bought me a nice big Black and Decker flashlight in 2010. I used it with a very good feeling she thought of me..lol.

Definitely noticed once you get over 100$ a board people almost don’t wanna cut on them . A lot of my boards are made with exotics or epoxy inlay and people tell me they don’t wanna cut on them cause they’re so nice 🤦🏽‍♂️

Never received a closing gift but I used to give gifts to my best customers in the past. It was a house cleaning business. The concept is the same.

I once got a $200 restaurant gift card and a $150 bottle of Russian vodka from a broker for buying 3 waterfront lots in Southampton, NY. The deal was for 8 million, I think she should have spent more! You guys a great, keep up the hard work.

Awesome sauce Put your info on the back as well, with, say, “Made in USA & 100% guaranteed”

First I love y'alls video. Yes we got a closing gift, it was a tool bag with a few tools in it. Keep up the great work guys.

Very important information. Find your market then cater your product to be profitable within that market! Great video!

Enjoyed the video! I received restaurant gift cards on last 2 closings I had. This cutting board would have been more useful in the long term. And funny thing is both our gift cards were $100 each lol. You 2 nailed the price point!

We received a custom door mat with out names on it when we bought our house. It is still at our threshold

Having a metal handle on the top (like a suitcase) (or the sides) will make it seem “high end”. Makes it easier to take to BBQs, etc

I made mines out of walnut and European beech ...i love them.and im.making more...im loving your shop and the team work ...love from California

I run into the problem of something not being my "best product" all the time and end up losing money. I don't know why, but they way you presented this clicked with me. Now I just have to work on my OCD.

We were given a pair of off brand Yeti style cups for closing the sale of our house and a nice chefs knife for the closing of out new house. We use the glasses, but havent used the knife yet, but we plan on it!

Your stepping in the right direction when your thinking about the customer. I wish the best for both of you and hope that your future is bright, GL.

Oh. I received a closing gift on the house I'm in now. I have mostly wood floors so Rob got me a Bona floor cleaner.

GOrgeous! I would have loved this as a gift from my realtor!

Hurricane hunters keep doing a great job

At the end of the year the realtor sent a Christmas tree ornament with a hand painted image of the house, year and our names. We treasure it dearly. I suppose this wouldn't have went over as well with someone who doesn't put up a tree for whatever reason so it's a bit risky.

Received a really badass cutco knife as a closing gift from our realtor. Now that I'm making cutting boards I intend to gift her a cutting board and off-handedly letting her know that I make these for sale!

We got a wood sign that said The Watson Family that had a rustic type frame around it as a closing gift from our mortgage lender.

Yes, we received a picture to hang on our wall. It says, "New Beginnings". It is still on our wall 4 years later, but it is not in a place where it gets much notice. And no one asks us about it. A cutting board would have been a MUCh better closing gift, in my opinion.

Our closing gift was a bottle of cheap wine with a red bow on it.

I noticed the cutting board that you made in your video is called 1/2 and 1/2 ( half white and half striped). To switch things up a little bit, before you sand your cutting board cut it in inch and a half strips, then alter each piece one white one with a stripe and so on. It's like having a whole new cutting board on your hands.

Got a closing gift one time out of 5 house purchases. It was a book on basic home maintenance. Never used it because I look everything up on KZfaq.

We got yeti glasses with our first names on them and big ceramic coffee cups from the realtor and from our loan guy we got a nice throw with our last name embroidered on it. We use them all.

I got a crate and barrel cutting board, I definitely use it.

I think you're using the wrong words. This version IS the "best quality" you can make. However, it isn't the "fanciest" version of a cutting board you can make. I wouldn't recommend saying that this isn't the best you can do. It sounds a bit disparaging. I know that's not what you meant, but it gives a substandard feel to it, when they aren't substandard at all. They just aren't the fanciest possible cutting boards that you can make. :) I cringed a little every time you mentioned that it wasn't the best you could do. 07:17 Instead: This is the nicest freaking cutting board we can make and still stay under $100. Sounds much better. I hope it works out. Really great idea.

Looks great, but I think the Realtor Name should be on the front, and *your* logo/name should be on the back. Just my opinion, but thats a great idea and cool looking cutting board.

second video of yours i've watched today & ever... things I like, things I don't - as with any channel. won't be my last because you guys are legit. great job.

Awesome advice!! “It’s not about you anymore” is what so many of us need to hear from people with experience! Also, it may be ludicrous to ask, but what books do you have there on your side table? 🙂

Have realtors here very interested in boards, $50 - $65 is the local price constraint, being retired I'm flexible with pricing.

We got a cutting board this time, a hose for my first house. The cutting board was more of a display item with our family name on it, though.

Only bought 1 house and didn't receive anything persay, but I qualified for the "Homes for Heros" program, which gave a part of my realtor's commission to me in the form of a check, it came out to about $1,400 after administration fees. I also got taxed on it as it was technically income, but still not shabby haha. Speaking of realtors, I had one but in all honesty, I did about 80% of the work in terms of finding the houses I looked at. I want to look into getting my realtor license just to avoid having to pay someone else a commission for not doing a whole lot. Then just get a good real estate attorney for the contractual stuff.

Got a panini press. Used it all of the time!

We got a picnic hamper from the builder and used it lots. And that cat is mental

love yalls movies, keep up the great work

Guys jennie and davis i built a 15x24 cutting board... TOok alot of work i made it for my dad

Have you looked at pallet wood, I have found some really nice wood, timbers, and flat stock rough cut thickness.

Hi Guys!! Let me just say yall make a great looking couple Jennie is extremely pretty and Davis is very handsome. Keep up with the great work and yes I am a Texan as well up here 118 miles just north and east of Amarillo small town called Wellington. I have not made a lot of cutting boards, but several, and to me, it looks like yours maybe a little too beefy (Thick), but I am not certain. An inch and a quarter is just right to me, but I guess it is one's preference. At any rate, I am subed to you and I like what you guys are doing. Keep it up

I've moved and bought several houses and never received a gift from the realtor. That said, I wish realtors around here would pay $100 for a cutting board.

Moved two times: 1st realtor gave us a dogwood tree to plant in our yard; second (different) realtor gave us a bottle of wine.

Yep, you've got to get your process and the final product in the range of what the customers want. This process looks pretty familiar. ;) The board looks great!

I love your videos. You two are a very cute couple. However, your videos are kind of misleading for the "beginner woodworker". The majority of beginner woodworkers aren't able to afford the same power tools you use or recommend and the specialty tools that you have such as your Glowforge laser printer. That being said, you two are very blessed with what you have and the beginner woodworkers can only dream of having the tools you have. You two do great work. Keep up the great videos.

Got a huge fruit basket for a losing gift when we purchased our first home. Would have rather gotten a nice cutting board. I made my first Cherry and Ash cutting board as a gift for my mom. Made it in 7th grade wood shop in 1977, she used it until she died and I still use it today. If you want to add color without increasing cost too muck maybe one strip of Walnut.

Our realtor also grows grapes for the local winery and in exchange gets wine made from said grapes. My wife had said she loved that particularly wine made from those grapes and at closing we got a case of wine. Nice way to start out in our first home was with a full wine rack 😂

Glad for the new post. Be safe out there.

Very nice. Maybe add a router grove for the drippings about an 1" from the edge. Nice wook.