The Woodpreneur Podcast
We cover the business and marketing side of the woodworking, 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. Each week, we interview business owners, large-scale companies, entrepreneurs, makers, and designers while also offering marketing and business advice that will help you grow your business and increase your profits. Tune in every week! www.builldergrowth.io www.woodpreneurlife.com Join our free and private Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurlife
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Justin Czar, Liberty Lumber Products
<p>Sometimes it's the catalyst that leads you to build the business and life you've always wanted.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Justin Czar of Liberty Lumber Products to explore his journey from working in fencing to establishing a thriving custom woodworking business. Justin shares the pivotal moment that pushed him to start side hustling and eventually transition full-time into woodworking, proving that it's never too late to pursue your passion.</p> <p>You'll hear about the real challenges Justin has faced in the wood industry, including sourcing lumber during...
Chris Black, Century Mill Lumber
<p>A lumber company that's been in business since 1851 has seen it all, from economic shifts to pandemics, and its survival depends on more than just selling wood. It's about relationships, education, and adapting to change.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Chris Black, President and GM of Century Mill Lumber, to explore the remarkable history of a company that predates Canada itself. Chris shares his personal journey from selling high-end wood doors to running a lumber business with deep roots and a forward-looking vision, emphasizing how customer relationships, continuous education...
Ryan Moore, Urban Wood Company
<p>Growing a woodworking business isn't just about craftsmanship. It's about building systems, forming strategic partnerships, and adapting to unexpected opportunities that can transform your entire operation.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Ryan Moore of Urban Wood Company to explore the evolution of his Oklahoma City-based woodworking business. Ryan shares how he went from drying wood and building custom furniture to expanding into cabinet projects and developing new product lines, all while navigating the challenges of scaling a team, implementing systems, and maintaining profitability.</p> <p>You'll hear about the...
Simon Silver, Simon Silver Designs
<p>The path to becoming a master woodworker doesn't always start in a workshop. Sometimes it begins on a mountain bike trail during the off-season.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger welcomes Simon Silver of Simon Silver Designs to explore his remarkable journey from mountain bike athlete to accomplished woodworker and sawmill operator. Simon shares how he discovered woodworking as a hobby during the off-season and how a pivotal class with a skilled mentor accelerated his learning and instilled a detail-oriented mindset that defines his work today.</p> <p>You'll hear about Simon's commitment...
Vadim Kovalev, Wood World Podcast
<p><b>What does it take to bridge the gap between engineering precision and the living art of forestry?</b> Vadim Kovalev, Wood World Industry Ambassador and founder of Koval Digital, shares how he traded blueprints for bark and became one of the forestry industry's most passionate storytellers.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Vadim to explore his unconventional journey from engineering to the heart of the wood industry. Vadim pulls back the curtain on the myths plaguing modern forestry, revealing why sustainable practices aren't just good ethics but smart business...
Allison DeFord, North American Forest Foundation
<p>Educating the next generation about forestry and sustainable wood practices is essential for the future of the industry, but misconceptions about trees and forest management continue to create barriers.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Allison DeFord, Executive Director of the North American Forest Foundation, to explore the foundation's mission to educate young people about responsible forestry and dispel common myths surrounding the industry. Allison shares her personal journey into forestry after years of involvement through her husband's career and how that experience shaped her passion for forest education and...
Six Strategies for Your Best Year Yet: Jennifer Alger on Business Growth, Goal Setting, and Building Systems
<p>The new year is the perfect time to reflect on what's working in your business and what needs to change if you want to see better results.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger shares her approach to planning for 2026, focusing on personal growth and implementing strategic changes that lead to real business transformation. Drawing from her experience with Alger Coaching and running her own wood business, Jennifer reveals six key strategies that have helped her business thrive and can do the same for yours.</p> <p>You'll hear practical advice on leveraging social...
Dallin Brooks, National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA)
<p>Standardization in the hardwood industry isn't just about measurements and grades. It's the foundation that enables fair trade, quality control, and growth across the entire wood supply chain.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Dallin Brooks, Executive Director of the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), to explore the history, role, and future of this essential industry organization. Dallin shares how the NHLA was founded to create standards that ensure quality and uniformity in wood products, and why those standards remain crucial for advocacy, quality control, and the success of hardwood...
Robert Lennon, ThermalWood Canada
<p>Wood modification technology is changing the game for woodworkers, builders, and manufacturers who need materials that are more stable, durable, and environmentally friendly than traditional lumber.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger interviews Robert Lennon from ThermalWood Canada to explore the innovative world of thermal modification. Robert shares his unique journey from spending 33 years in the mining industry to becoming a leader in the wood business, focusing on a process that transforms wood at a molecular level to enhance its properties and performance.</p> <p>You'll hear how thermal modification makes wood more...
Paul Hickman, Urban Ashes
<p>Urban trees don't have to become waste. With the right approach, they can be transformed into sustainable, high-quality wood products that reduce carbon footprints and strengthen local communities.</p> <p>In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Paul Hickman, founder of Urban Ashes, to explore the critical importance of urban wood utilization. Paul shares his fascinating journey from the scenic arts industry to creating sustainable products from urban wood, with a particular focus on ash trees affected by the devastating Emerald Ash Borer. His work demonstrates how trees that would otherwise end up...
