In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger speaks with Caleb and Kelly Geer of Urban Tree Merchants about their journey in the urban wood industry.

They discuss their passion for utilizing local trees, the challenges of running a woodworking business, and the importance of community partnerships.

The conversation highlights innovative projects, marketing strategies, and the significance of sustainability in woodworking. The Geers share insights on their experiences, the value of collaboration, and their vision for the future of urban wood utilization.

Top 5 Takeaways

• Urban Tree Merchants started from a passion for recycling wood
• The importance of community partnerships in utilizing local resources
• Innovative projects can showcase the value of urban wood
• Marketing strategies rely heavily on word of mouth and presence
• Sustainability is a key focus in the woodworking industry

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Urban Tree Merchants 

01:36 The Journey of Urban Tree Merchants 

04:25 Daily Operations and Partnerships 

07:38 Collaboration with the City of Arlington 

10:05 Exciting Projects and Innovations 

12:50 Documenting the Process 

17:10 Challenges and Growth in Business 

18:49 Overcoming Business Challenges 

21:30 Passion for Urban Wood 

23:28 Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses 

24:44 Unique Selling Points of Local Wood 

27:51 Leveraging Internships and Partnerships 

30:30 Navigating Growth and Raw Material Supply 

37:09 Collaborative Approaches to Large Projects

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/woodpreneurnetwork/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/

Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork

Join our newsletter: podcast.woodpreneur.com/

You can connect with Caleb and Kelly:

https://urbantreemerchants.com/about-us/

https://www.instagram.com/UrbanTreeMerchants

https://www.facebook.com/urbantreemerchants/