What does it take to walk away from a stable corporate career and build something with your own two hands? Nick Hardrath did exactly that, and the business he built, The Urban Craftsman, is proof that passion and strategic thinking can coexist beautifully.

In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, Jennifer Alger sits down with Nick to trace his journey from the corporate design world to running a full-time sawmill and bespoke furniture business. Nick started in 2016 with small projects and ornaments, went full-time in 2018, and has never looked back. He shares how his corporate background quietly shaped the way he approaches branding, client relationships, and business systems in ways most craftspeople never consider.

One of the most compelling parts of Nick's story is his decision to control his own lumber supply. By milling urban wood himself, he gains creative freedom, quality control, and a storytelling advantage that sets his work apart. He talks about the thrill of opening a log and discovering unexpected grain patterns, the discipline of managing wood movement and kiln schedules, and why understanding your material from the very beginning changes everything about the finished product.

Nick also gets candid about the harder side of running a craft business. From hiring skilled labor and keeping a team motivated, to automating operations and managing the financial side of things, he shares the lessons that took years to learn. He is a firm believer in community, collaboration, and educating the public about urban wood and sustainable forestry, and that passion comes through in every project he takes on.

Whether you are a woodworker, a maker, or an entrepreneur trying to turn your craft into a career, this episode is packed with honest insight and hard-earned wisdom.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Nick Hardrath and The Urban Craftsman

02:12 - From side hustle to full-time: going all in on woodworking in 2018

07:58 - Why Nick decided to mill his own lumber for quality and creative control

11:41 - Managing urban wood movement, drying, and kiln schedules

17:13 - How corporate design skills shaped his branding and client relations

20:46 - Building a team, hiring well, and maintaining workshop culture

25:54 - Automating business operations and planning for future growth

29:17 - Educating the public on urban wood, storytelling, and community engagement

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 Nick at:

theurbancraftsmanwi.com

https://www.instagram.com/TheUrbanCraftsman

https://www.facebook.com/TheUrbanCraftsmanWI/