In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Bob Kloes and Matt Schmitz of Kloes Specialty Hardwoods, a Wisconsin-based business specializing in curly maple, bird's eye maple, flame birch, and other figured hardwoods. What started as Bob's lifelong passion for custom furniture evolved into a lumber business when his wife suggested he start selling the stunning figured woods he had been sourcing for decades. Now, with Matt at the helm after purchasing the business, the two share a partnership built on mentorship, shared passion, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

You'll hear about how Bob built relationships with sawmills over 20 years and developed an expert eye for selecting figured wood in the rough. You'll hear about the process of buying green lumber, working with a neighboring vacuum kiln operation, and sorting material by species, figure density, and customer specs for everyone from furniture makers to guitar builders and pool cue craftsmen. Bob and Matt also get honest about the challenges of marketing a niche product, navigating social media algorithms, and the real cost of shipping in today's market.

You'll also hear about Matt's journey from federal government career to business owner, how a summer sales slump nearly broke his confidence, and why having a built-in mentor made all the difference. Bob shares stories from his furniture-making days, including secret compartments, his "high country style" designs, and why he believes in over-delivering on every order. The conversation also touches on the declining availability of bird's eye maple, the puzzling drop in cherry prices, and the broader challenges facing the domestic hardwood industry.

Whether you're a woodworker searching for the best figured hardwoods, a small business owner navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, or someone who appreciates the art of letting natural wood speak for itself, this episode is for you.

Tune in, be inspired, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Thursday morning wherever you consume your podcasts.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Bob Kloes and Matt Schmitz of Kloes Specialty Hardwoods

01:04 Bob's 40-Year Journey from Furniture Maker to Lumber Dealer

03:06 Matt's Path from Customer to Business Owner

06:25 Sourcing, Drying, and Sorting Figured Hardwoods

14:47 Selling Retail, Shipping Nationwide, and Managing Costs

19:26 Marketing, Social Media, and Industry Challenges

28:22 Favorite Projects, Quality Philosophy, and Lessons Learned

The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger 

For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com

See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com

Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io

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You can connect with Bob and Matt at:

https://www.kloesspecialtyhardwoods.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kloesspecialtyhardwoods/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/kshardwoods/