In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Corey Tighe, owner of CT Woodwork, as he shares his journey of starting a woodworking business and teaching woodworking classes. He began working full-time in 2019 and has since grown his business by offering a variety of services, including custom furniture, built-ins, and classes. Corey finds teaching to be the most rewarding aspect of his business and has fostered a positive, collaborative community in his shop. He emphasizes the importance of word-of-mouth referrals and has recently started using Google Ads to promote his classes. Corey’s future plans include expanding his services to offer lumber milling and promoting his business on Instagram.

Takeaways

• Starting a woodworking business requires bold moves and finding ways to balance different income streams.
• Teaching woodworking classes can be both rewarding and profitable.
• Word-of-mouth referrals and local connections are essential for growing a woodworking business.
• Expanding services, such as lumber milling, can be a key goal for future growth.
• Promoting the business through platforms like Google Ads and Instagram can help attract new customers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Corey’s Background

01:08 Starting the Business and Teaching Classes

03:21 Balancing Income Streams

05:12 Focus on Custom Furniture

07:22 Word-of-Mouth Referrals and Marketing

08:00 Teaching as a Source of Inspiration

10:27 Growing the Business and Future Plans

12:10 Upcoming Projects

13:26 The Importance of Community

14:08 Continual Learning and Exploring New Projects

16:34 Milling Lumber and Future Expansion

17:44 Promoting the Business Through Instagram

19:38 Finding a Work-Life Balance

22:11 Direct Marketing and Its Impressive Results

23:20 Contact Information and Conclusion

Get a FREE Trial to our Woodpreneur Network Community and get the skills, network, and mentoring to level up your business join here: https://woodpreneurnetwork.com/

Connect with Corey at:

https://www.instagram.com/ctwoodwork/