Going Pro, Part 3: Do You Really Want to Run a Business?

Should you do it? Should you join the ranks of the “professional woodworkers”?

I’ve had this conversation several times, and I really never try to dissuade anyone from trying. I’ll say that I’ve seen several people try it and not last very long, or be very disillusioned. I’ve also seen people jump in faster and deeper than I had the guts to do, and they’ve succeeded in incredible ways (shout out to Austen Morris furniture, my buddy and woodworking neighbor in DC). Certainly everyone’s experience will be different, which is why I think it’s helpful to ask some questions before making the leap.

Do you want to run a business?

A lot of running a woodworking business is NOT woodworking. In many weeks, I easily spend two to three hours of each day doing some variety of the following: client management, design work, tracking down materials and hardware (either online, or…