Brad Bernhart Interview: The Business of Woodworking

/

I this video, woodworker Brad Bernhart of Red Lodge, Montana shares a little about his business, the importance of lean manufacturing, and where he sells his work. 

Check out Brad's website www.EarlyWoodDesigns.com to see his wonderfully designed and custom made kitchen utensils. Take note: his site is a great example of what a good website should be for a business.

When you check out his site, drop Brad a line saying "Thanks" for the great information that he has generously shared. I did not previously know Brad until I met him at SummerFair and asked him for an interview. I think it would be awesome to let him know that he has helped us out with his information and time as he shared some solid business information.

In this video I interview Brad Bernhart as part of the series about the business of woodworking. Brad shares some great insight on his strategy for manufacturing his products and how to sell. Check out Brad's website at http://www.earlywooddesigns.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlywood_designs/ Facebook: http://www.earlywooddesigns.com Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/source/earlywooddesigns.com/ Be sure to drop him a line saying "thanks for sharing" at his contact page.

This video is part of a series where we are exploring how different woodworkers run their business and sell their work.

Other videos in this series: 

Ep 34 How I Sell My Woodworking Projects

Ep 36 Scott Enloe Interview

Ep 37 Nick Pancheau Interview

I hope you enjoy the video, find it helpful, and informative.

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love - Share the Knowledge

Interview With The Modern Woodworkers Association

/

The Modern Woodworkers Association started in 2010. Their mission is to organize and connect woodworkers online, help educate woodworkers, and to promote the craft to ensure it carries on. It has become a great single source for woodworkers to find out what is going on in the woodworking world both online and off. 

The MWA podcasts are open for public consumption and they cover all things woodworking. In this episode they talk about the Woodworking In America shows and some other general happenings in the world of woodworking. I come in about 17:45 where you can see me looking like a tecnnoboob as I try to figure out how to connect with these guys on Google+.

After that we talk about the fine woodworking museum exhibition, where I have my prairie chandelier on display, working 30 hour days to get it done, and the 5 questions they ask all of their guests. You will find out if I prefer thongs or boxers and we also talk about my sharpening techniques that really upset the “woodworking establishment.”

I just watched the video and, even though I participated in it, I was surprised at how many gold nuggets there were in the information we cover. I actually spill the beans and share the secret to successful woodworking!

I had a great time with these guys and I was still energized the next couple of days after talking with them. I hope you enjoy the video and get something useful out of it.

 

 The Modern Woodworkers Association is headed up by:

Chris Adkins of High Rock Woodworking

Dyami Plotke of The Penultimate Workshop

Tom Iovino of Tom's Workbench

Nick Roulleau of Mansfield Fine Furniture

Be sure to check out the MWA. You can find out their mission statement and what they are all about HERE.

That's all for now. Until next time, be safe in your own shop!

Your friend in the shop,

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love~Share the Knowledge

More Shop Details

/

Shop Details & Safety

I have added a few more images and details to the Shop page. It seems like I think of something new to add every day to the Shop gallery. I know that is a big favorite for the viewers and there is a lot to share so I am sure that for a while content will be changing and added to on that page.

3 Fire Extinguishers for the ACWOne of the most important things that I added was the fire extinguishers and their layout. I can't stress enough how important this overlooked item is in the shop. I watched the neighbors garage get hosed down on the inside when he set it on fire while welding. 

The neighbor did have a small fire extinguisher that he used initially, but it emptied fast and the fire popped back to life leaving him empty handed. The shop was too far from the house for the garden hose to reach. ACW Fire Extinguisher Layout

After seeing what happened to him I went to the big box store right away and purchased 3 fire extinguishers. I placed them strategically in my shop to allow for an easy, quick access. 

Everybody's placement for extinguishers will be different, but I have provided a map of my shop to give you an idea of how my extinguishers are located. You will notice that I have placed 2 for easy access from the 2 entry points and one that is more in the center of the shop. 

I think that it is important for everyone to have fire extinguishers in the shop, but especially so if the shop is in the house or attached to the house. The cost of a $60 fire extinguisher greatly outweighs the cost of what can be lost if you do not have at least one.

Interview With Scott Morrison

I have a lot of work to do on the video interview with Scott Morrison. I have a good 70 minutes of chat time with Scott so I have some editing to do and I need to break it into segments that will fit the 10 minute/2 GB limits of YouTube.  

You will really enjoy hearing Scott share his story and business advice. There is a lot of gold nuggets that he shares in our conversation.

It sounds like Scott is coming up with another special deal on furniture plans so stay tuned. He also just announced more video plans that he is coming out with. You can see them at here at Finewoodworker.com.

I have a couple of his videos, they are well made and very comprehensive. The furniture that he makes can be intimidating, but when you watch the videos, you think "Oh heck, I can do that." It is like he is giving you a personal lesson as he gives instruction in the videos.

Moving On...

I really need to get work going this morning so I can get some edit time in tonight. Enough taunting you with promises, time for production.

Your friend in the shop, Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love ~ Share the Knowledge