In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Zachary Wicks of Wood by Wicks to explore his journey from salvaging cedar trees to becoming a full-time wood entrepreneur.

Discover how Zachary transitioned from remodeling homes to owning his own sawmill, and learn about his unique approach to sustainable forestry and custom milling.

Zachary shares insights into the challenges and rewards of the wood industry, emphasizing the importance of selective harvesting and the value of trees.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about passion, perseverance, and the future of sustainable wood practices.

Key Takeaways:

1. Zachary Wicks transitioned from remodeling homes to full-time wood entrepreneurship, driven by his passion for milling and sustainable forestry.
2. He emphasizes the importance of selective harvesting, focusing on trees that are at the end of their life cycle or are degraded, to ensure sustainable practices.
3. Zachary's business model involves custom milling and selling dry wood, with a focus on maintaining low overhead costs and maximizing the use of each tree.
4. He highlights the challenges of the wood industry, including the need for proper equipment and the impact of external factors like weather on wood drying processes.
5. Zachary advocates for replanting trees and educating others about sustainable forestry to ensure the long-term health of forests and the wood industry.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Zach Wicks and Wick Woods

03:00 From Remodeling to Woodworking

06:00 The Decision to Buy a Sawmill 

09:00 Sustainable Forestry and Selective Harvesting 

12:00 Custom Milling and Business Model 

15:00 Challenges in the Wood Industry 

18:00 Advocacy for Replanting and Future Vision 

21:00 Personal Insights and Family Balance 

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 Zachary at:

https://www.instagram.com/woodbywicks/

https://www.facebook.com/woodbywicks/?ref=_xav_ig_profile_page_web#