Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson

In this solo episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson answers three of the questions he gets asked most about building Johnson Bespoke: how the business grew, how he manages a team and clients, and how the company wins high value joinery projects. Robin shares how Johnson Bespoke expanded from himself and one employee to a team of 20 working across five workshops, with specialist facilities for CNC machining, veneer production and finishing.Robin explains the financial decisions behind that growth, including reinvesting profits, living frugally during the early years, pricing machinery into projects and eventually using asset finance to invest in major equipment such as a five axis CNC. Every significant investment is assessed against its operating costs, staffing requirements, production capacity and potential return.Key Topics Covered✦ How Johnson Bespoke grew from two people to a team of 20 across five workshops✦ Reinvesting business profits into machinery, facilities and people✦ Using asset finance and financial modelling to fund business growth✦ Bringing CNC machining, veneering and finishing under one roof✦ Hiring specialists and building a business that can operate without the founder doing everything✦ Managing architects, interior designers and private clients on high value projects✦ Selling craftsmanship, reliability and service instead of competing on price✦ Winning joinery work through referrals, targeted outreach, workshop tours, trade shows and videoCheck out Johnson Bespoke here: https://www.johnsonbespoke.co.uk/Enjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson, founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop, this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: / @yoursforthemakingpodcast Key Moments:0:00 How Johnson Bespoke grew and why Robin specialised in joinery02:30 Reinvesting every penny of profit back into the business03:46 Pricing machinery into projects to fund organic growth05:00 The sacrifices behind building an in house production business07:14 Using asset finance to invest in a five axis CNC09:00 Why quality, cost and timelines became three non negotiables10:46 Solving production bottlenecks with a professional spray facility14:26 Why Robin deliberately hires people who are better than him15:30 Robin's vision for the future of Johnson Bespoke17:58 Growing from two people to 20 across five workshops19:00 Building a team that allows the founder to step away22:07 Managing architects, designers and high value clients26:06 Selling value instead of competing on price29:48 Targeted outreach that helped Johnson Bespoke win work37:06 Using podcasts and video to build trust and attract clients

Monique Lucas is the founder and presenter of The New Makers TV, a YouTube series dedicated to telling the stories of British makers, craftspeople and independent creative businesses. After working across interiors, homeware, textiles and content, Monique created The New Makers to give craftspeople a platform to show how their work is actually made and why it matters.In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson and Monique explore the changing world of British craft, the realities of running a maker led business and the growing desire for handmade products as AI and mass production accelerate. Monique shares why understanding materials and production can help people make more intentional purchasing decisions, while the conversation tackles greenwashing, sustainability, social media, influencer culture and the pressure on makers to become content creators.Monique also reveals how The New Makers grew from fewer than 100 views per episode to one video reaching 54,000 views, and why patience, conviction and enjoying the creative process matter when building an audience online.Key Topics Covered✦ Why Monique Lucas created The New Makers TV to champion British makers and craftspeople✦ The renewed interest in handmade products and endangered British crafts✦ Why makers are expected to create, photograph, film and market their own work✦ Understanding the true value and price of handmade products✦ Greenwashing, sustainable materials and intentional consumption✦ How social media can help independent makers build viable businesses✦ The dangers of comparison, influencer culture and chasing algorithms✦ Growing a YouTube series from fewer than 100 views to 54,000 viewsWatch The Makers TV here:https://www.youtube.com/@thenewmakerstvEnjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson, founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop, this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuzYPW_uJfM2B1XXRuZLUgKey Moments:0:00 Introducing Monique Lucas and The New Makers TV01:59 Why Monique created a platform for British makers03:26 Building and self funding a YouTube series04:40 How childhood shaped Monique’s connection to home and design08:42 The growing pressure on makers to become content creators10:49 Capturing the real stories and processes behind handmade work14:20 Why AI could drive people back towards traditional craft18:09 Why handmade products cost more and understanding their true value23:40 Greenwashing and the problem with sustainability labels29:07 Why creative careers rarely follow a straight path34:27 The creative careers young people rarely hear about37:15 How social media can turn craft into a viable career41:40 The problems with influencer culture and unrealistic lifestyles48:24 Escaping comparison and the pressure of the algorithm51:59 How The New Makers grew from 100 views to 54,000 views

Interior designer Christian Bense joins Robin Johnson to explore how thoughtful interior design balances architecture, art, history and the personality of the people who live there. Christian shares his journey from South Africa to London, launching Christian Bense Interior Studio shortly before Covid and building a practice recognised by House & Garden. He explains why his studio avoids a fixed house style, how contemporary and traditional interiors can coexist, and why art, proportion, composition and architectural detail matter more than following trends.The conversation also explores designing period properties, creating interiors with longevity, managing residential projects from concept to completion and building a creative business without losing involvement in the work. Christian discusses plans for a furniture collection centred on timeless staple pieces, the thinking behind his interior design platform The Basic Principle, and the lessons learned from 14 years in the industry.Key Topics Covered✦ Christian Bense’s journey from South Africa to becoming a London interior designer✦ Building Christian Bense Interior Studio and gaining industry recognition✦ Why the studio deliberately avoids a signature house style✦ Combining traditional architecture with contemporary interior design✦ Using art to create personal, characterful and layered homes✦ Restoring character and respecting the history of period properties✦ Designing timeless furniture instead of following interior trends✦ Building a creative career while learning to enjoy the processCheck out Christian Bense Studio via:https://www.christianbense.com/Enjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson, founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop, this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuzYPW_uJfM2B1XXRuZLUgKey Moments:00:00 Christian Bense’s 14 year journey in interior design03:40 Leaving business studies to pursue interior design06:15 The Somerset project that changed his approach to design08:15 Why Christian Bense Studio has no house style11:20 Designing homes around art and personal taste14:20 How clients develop their own art collections18:50 Why Christian wants to keep his studio relatively small21:20 The level of involvement clients can expect23:30 Why clients should question familiar contractor relationships25:15 Why Christian prefers independent architects and interior designers29:40 Why bespoke design requires more time and a different pricing model33:25 Respecting the history of period and listed properties41:45 Christian’s plans for timeless furniture and interior products45:45 The Basic Principle and explaining why good interior design works49:25 The advice Christian would give his 18 year old self

Robin Johnson sits down with woodwork artist Olly Fathers to explore how traditional marquetry, wood veneer and painstaking hand cutting become contemporary geometric art. Olly shares his path from studying fine art and working as an art technician to developing a full time studio practice with his wife, Emma. He explains how years spent installing major artworks, experimenting with woodworking and making art alongside freelance jobs shaped the artist he is today.The conversation goes deep into Olly's creative process, including his use of bog oak dating to around 2500 BC, traditional marquetry techniques, geometric patterns, optical illusion, natural wood grain and heat shading. He reveals the extraordinary planning behind A Drop in Time, including 452 individually cut sections and an approach that turned the remaining veneer into additional artworks with almost zero waste.Olly also opens up about pricing art, imposter syndrome, the risks of becoming fashionable too quickly and why he prefers a slow, steady creative career. He and Robin discuss the realities behind the art world, selling directly to collectors, working with galleries and interior designers, balancing creativity with business and why continually pushing into creative discomfort keeps the work developing.Key Topics Covered✦ How Olly Fathers developed his distinctive wood veneer and marquetry practice✦ Moving from fine art and art installation into a full time creative career✦ Creating geometric art through grain, colour, movement and optical illusion✦ Making A Drop in Time from 4500 year old bog oak and 452 hand cut sections✦ Turning veneer offcuts into new artworks and reducing material waste✦ Pricing artwork, imposter syndrome and the business realities facing artists✦ Why creative discomfort, experimentation and patience drive better work✦ Selling art through collectors, consultants, galleries, interior designers and social mediaCheck out Olly’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ollyfathers/?hl=enEnjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson, founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop, this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuzYPW_uJfM2B1XXRuZLUgKey Moments:00:00 Discovering Olly Fathers and his unusual approach to wood veneer art04:21 Studying fine art and finding a love for making07:33 Installing Picasso and Monet and learning inside the art world09:34 Turning a one bedroom flat into a creative studio during Covid13:09 What art school fails to teach about making a living as an artist15:25 Pricing artwork, imposter syndrome and valuing creative work17:17 How sudden success and inflated prices can damage an artist's career20:06 Bauhaus, minimal art and the influences behind Olly's geometric work23:03 Months of planning behind A Drop in Time24:34 Creating art from bog oak dating to around 2500 BC25:45 Hand cutting 452 individual veneer sections26:53 How precision cutting created additional artworks with almost zero waste30:41 Using traditional heat shading to transform wood veneer44:32 Selling art directly through Instagram, collectors and consultants52:43 The 4500 year story behind A Drop in Time

What makes a building work for the people who actually use it? Robin Johnson sits down with Michael Westlake and Alex Taylor of Supervene Architects to explore architecture, masterplanning and the realities of designing places that have to work for generations. From the seven year route to becoming an architect to navigating budgets, planning, construction problems and the Building Safety Act, Michael and Alex reveal how much of architecture happens beyond the drawing board.The conversation explores housing density, walkable neighbourhoods, urban regeneration and why good masterplanning depends on the spaces and connections between buildings. Michael and Alex discuss the regeneration of Aire Park in Leeds, the preservation of historic buildings, Sugar House Island, modern methods of construction and homes designed for dramatically better energy performance. They also examine AI in architecture, the future of cities and why technology works best as a tool for designers rather than a replacement for human judgement.Key Topics Covered✦ Why becoming a qualified architect takes at least seven years and why practical experience matters✦ How budgets, constraints and construction problems can produce better architecture✦ The Building Safety Act, Building Safety Regulator and challenges facing UK development✦ Housing density, walkable neighbourhoods and building around existing infrastructure✦ Masterplanning, urban regeneration, Aire Park and preserving architectural heritage✦ Modern methods of construction and the potential for highly energy efficient homes✦ Why buildings should be designed to adapt to different uses over generations✦ AI in architecture, future cities and why designers still need human judgementCheck out their website:https://www.supervenearchitects.com/Enjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson, founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop, this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuzYPW_uJfM2B1XXRuZLUgKey Moments:00:00 Why qualifying as an architect takes at least seven years05:02 What architecture school cannot teach you about real buildings08:47 Why relationships matter throughout the construction industry15:28 Creating workplaces where people care about what they build16:51 How mistakes and constraints make better designers18:12 Why honest conversations about budgets need to happen early22:37 How the Building Safety Act is affecting UK development31:29 When regulation turns viable projects into difficult projects33:45 Why good housing density can create better communities39:28 Building homes around existing transport infrastructure43:44 Inside the regeneration and masterplanning of Aire Park in Leeds50:25 The architects reveal the projects they would love to design53:09 Homes with exceptional energy performance built in days59:02 What today's architecture will leave behind for future generations01:06:57 AI, architects and the future of design