In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Daniel Torres of Deadwood Revival Design. Daniel shares his inspiring journey from firefighter to full-time entrepreneur in the urban wood industry. The conversation explores themes of commitment, collaboration, and innovation—especially within the unique challenges of urban wood.

Daniel discusses the importance of community, adaptability, and resourcefulness, and reflects on his recent acquisition of Pacific Coast Lumber. He emphasizes the need for long-term planning, knowledge sharing, and building strong industry relationships to support sustainable business growth.

Takeaways

1. Decide to commit fully—true momentum begins when you go all in.
2. Collaboration over competition—supporting others lifts the entire industry.
3. Innovation is key—pioneering new methods, like advanced wood drying, drives growth.
4. Knowledge + community = sustainability—shared wisdom helps avoid common pitfalls.
5. Scaling custom work requires strategy—growing a niche business demands creative revenue models.

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Daniel Torres and His Journey

03:01 — The Decision to Go All In

06:06 — Collaborative Competition in the Urban Wood Industry

08:57 — Pioneering Techniques in Urban Wood Drying

11:46 — Understanding Species Variations in Urban Lumber

15:06 — Resourcefulness in Urban Wood Operations

18:09 — Acquiring Pacific Coast Lumber

21:01 — Honoring the Legacy of Urban Wood Sawmills

23:22 — Navigating Challenges in the Urban Wood Industry

25:50 — The Power of Knowledge and Community Support

27:29 — Entrepreneurship: Facing Doubts and Staying the Course

34:30 — Scaling Custom Work and Creating Sustainable Revenue Streams

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 Danny at:

https://www.deadwoodrevivaldesign.com/

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

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