In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, new host Jennifer Alger talks with Brendan Vande Kamp of Logs to Lumber about his unexpected entry into sawmilling and how he grew his business. They cover the shift from live edge slabs to dimensional lumber, the value of investing in better tools, and new revenue streams like cabin building. Brendan also shares insights on branding, certification, and building community through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Takeaways

• Brendan Vande Kamp’s sawmilling journey began unexpectedly, but his willingness to adapt and invest in better equipment transformed Logs to Lumber into a successful, multi-faceted business.
• The shift from live edge slabs to dimensional lumber reflects changing market demands, and tools like edgers help small sawmillers scale production efficiently.
• Brendan has found success in cabin construction, not only by offering customized builds with dovetail jigs but also by connecting personally with clients—turning each project into something meaningful.
• Certification plays a key role in building trust within the sawmilling industry, while branding and marketing (especially through social media and Google reviews) are essential for growth.
• The woodworking community thrives on collaboration and knowledge-sharing—Brendan encourages aspiring sawmillers to find their niche, engage with others, and never stop learning.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to the New Era of Woodpreneur Podcast

01:23 – Brendan’s Journey into Sawmilling

05:02 – The Evolution of Logs to Lumber Business

06:16 – Branding and Value Addition in Woodworking

07:58 – Shifting Focus: From Live Edge to Dimensional Lumber

10:52 – Innovations in Sawmilling: The Edger Experience

14:22 – Building Cabins: A New Revenue Stream

19:46 – Creating Custom Dovetail Jigs for Cabin Construction

25:14 – The Importance of Certification in Sawmilling

26:08 – Understanding Business Splits and Service Levels

29:41 – Sourcing Logs and Customization in Cabin Building

32:41 – Community Engagement and Personal Touch in Projects

35:12 – Marketing Strategies for Sawmilling Businesses

37:12 – Knowledge Sharing and Community Support

41:24 – Key Takeaways for Aspiring Sawmillers

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

To join a network of woodpreneurs: 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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Connect with Brendan at:

https://www.logtolumberva.com/about

https://www.instagram.com/Logtolumber

https://www.facebook.com/LogtoLumber/