In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Colin Davis of Tahoe Slab Furniture, an innovative woodworking business focused on salvaging waste wood to create beautiful products. 

Colin shares his journey from a background in physics and engineering to the world of woodworking, emphasizing sustainability and energy efficiency challenges. The conversation explores the importance of networking, building customer relationships, and the unique challenges faced in the wood industry. 

Colin also discusses his experiences in Europe, marketing strategies, and lessons learned from failures along the way, highlighting the excitement and challenges of entrepreneurial ventures in woodworking.

Takeaways

• Colin's journey into woodworking began with a desire to solve real-world problems.
• Tahoe Slab Furniture focuses on salvaging waste wood to create useful products.
• Sustainability is a core value, but energy efficiency remains a challenge.
• Milling equipment choices significantly impact business efficiency.
• Networking within the wood community is essential for growth.
• Building relationships with customers is key to success.
• Marketing through local Facebook groups can reach a wide audience.
• Specialization in services can lead to better business outcomes.
• Understanding customer needs is crucial for effective sales.
• Exciting projects often come with significant challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tahoe Slab Furniture and Its Mission 

02:59 Colin's Journey into the Wood Industry 

05:57 Milling Equipment and Techniques 

09:01 Exploring Wood Trade in Europe 

12:01 Sustainability and Shipping Challenges 

14:57 Industry Challenges and Specialization 

17:55 Networking in the Wood Industry 

22:15 The Competitive Landscape of Wood Business 

23:29 Learning from Failures in Business 

25:34 Educating Customers on Wood Industry Values 

28:27 Understanding Customer Priorities 

29:30 Building Trust and Relationships with Clients 

31:55 Exciting Projects and Challenges in Woodworking 

36:04 Marketing Strategies for Wood Businesses 

39:54 Connecting with Tahoe Slab Furniture

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 Colin at:

https://www.instagram.com/tahoeslab/

https://tahoeslab.com/