In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Matthew Arnold from KJP Select Hardwoods. They discuss Matthew's journey in the lumber industry, the evolution of e-commerce in woodworking, and the challenges of shipping and regulations.
Matthew shares insights on customer education, custom orders, and trends in the woodworking industry, including the shift away from live edge designs. The conversation also touches on the importance of marketing strategies and the unique stories that shape their business.
Top 5 Takeaways
- Matthew Arnold is third generation in the lumber industry at KJP Select Hardwoods, a woodworking supply store in Ottawa.
- E-commerce has become a significant part of their business, though shipping lumber presents unique challenges due to its size and weight.
- Customer education is crucial in helping clients understand wood selection and finding value in lower-grade lumber.
- Design trends are shifting towards more contemporary styles over live edge furniture.
- The business experienced significant expansion during COVID-19, requiring robust marketing strategies in a competitive market.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to KJP Hardwoods
02:46 Matthew's Journey in the Lumber Industry
05:29 The Challenges of Urban Lumber
08:20 Processing and Custom Orders at KJP Hardwoods
11:11 Customer Experience and Custom Table Orders
14:01 Expansion During COVID-19
16:39 Navigating Business Growth and Challenges
19:15 Challenges in Sourcing Lumber
21:04 Shifts in Design Trends
24:03 Business Milestones and Growth
25:42 Educating Customers on Wood Buying
30:22 Navigating Cross-Border Regulations
33:03 Marketing Strategies for E-commerce
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
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The Woodpreneur Podcast
We cover the business and marketing side of the sawmill, tree service, furniture making, Urban Wood, and woodworking industry. If you're a woodworker, sawmill owner, or any other entrepreneur and/or business owner in the wood industry, you need to check out this podcast.
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