
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Sometimes the best business opportunities come from the most unexpected places. A background in real estate doesn't seem like the obvious path to running a thriving reclaimed wood company, but that's exactly how one entrepreneur built a multimillion-dollar timber business.
In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Eric Freed of E & K Vintage Wood to explore his remarkable journey from real estate into the reclaimed wood industry. Eric shares how he discovered opportunities in salvaged timber during the 2008 recession and grew his business from a side project into a 24-employee operation that's moving to a larger facility to meet growing demand.
You'll hear about the explosive growth E & K Vintage Wood has experienced, including building a social media following of 100,000 on Instagram that has expanded their customer base nationwide. Eric discusses their top-selling products like box beams, the importance of offering customization to meet diverse client needs, and the quality standards that have kept them problem-free for 15 years. He also shares stories from notable projects for high-profile clients including the San Francisco 49ers and Google.
This conversation explores the challenges of sourcing quality reclaimed wood in a competitive market, the sustainability practices and chain of custody considerations that guide their operations, and how certification plays a role in their business model. Eric reflects on the lessons learned from navigating industry challenges and shares his excitement about future plans, including ramping up flooring production in their new facility and continuing to innovate their product offerings.
Whether you're interested in the reclaimed wood business, building a sustainable timber company, or learning how to scale a wood business through quality and customization, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who's successfully transformed an unexpected opportunity into a thriving enterprise.
Tune in to discover how E & K Vintage Wood built success through sustainability, quality, and customer service, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast for more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs in the wood industry.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Eric's Journey
04:42 Business Growth and Product Offerings
12:10 Industry Challenges and Notable Projects
20:07 Sustainability and Future Plans
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
Connect with us at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/
Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork
Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork
You can connect with Eric at:
Website: https://ekvintagewood.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-freed-20148315/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eandk_vintagewood/
By Acres of Timber4.3
5656 ratings
Sometimes the best business opportunities come from the most unexpected places. A background in real estate doesn't seem like the obvious path to running a thriving reclaimed wood company, but that's exactly how one entrepreneur built a multimillion-dollar timber business.
In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Eric Freed of E & K Vintage Wood to explore his remarkable journey from real estate into the reclaimed wood industry. Eric shares how he discovered opportunities in salvaged timber during the 2008 recession and grew his business from a side project into a 24-employee operation that's moving to a larger facility to meet growing demand.
You'll hear about the explosive growth E & K Vintage Wood has experienced, including building a social media following of 100,000 on Instagram that has expanded their customer base nationwide. Eric discusses their top-selling products like box beams, the importance of offering customization to meet diverse client needs, and the quality standards that have kept them problem-free for 15 years. He also shares stories from notable projects for high-profile clients including the San Francisco 49ers and Google.
This conversation explores the challenges of sourcing quality reclaimed wood in a competitive market, the sustainability practices and chain of custody considerations that guide their operations, and how certification plays a role in their business model. Eric reflects on the lessons learned from navigating industry challenges and shares his excitement about future plans, including ramping up flooring production in their new facility and continuing to innovate their product offerings.
Whether you're interested in the reclaimed wood business, building a sustainable timber company, or learning how to scale a wood business through quality and customization, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who's successfully transformed an unexpected opportunity into a thriving enterprise.
Tune in to discover how E & K Vintage Wood built success through sustainability, quality, and customer service, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast for more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs in the wood industry.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Eric's Journey
04:42 Business Growth and Product Offerings
12:10 Industry Challenges and Notable Projects
20:07 Sustainability and Future Plans
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
Connect with us at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/
Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork
Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork
You can connect with Eric at:
Website: https://ekvintagewood.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-freed-20148315/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eandk_vintagewood/

229,722 Listeners

30,859 Listeners

1,517 Listeners

1,538 Listeners

38,021 Listeners

1,139 Listeners

1,318 Listeners

449 Listeners

350 Listeners

46,350 Listeners

395 Listeners

7,426 Listeners

252 Listeners

874 Listeners

415 Listeners