We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christopher King a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Christopher thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
I wanted to have a company name that was easy to remember and catchy. I also thought about how woodworking has been in my family for generations. It was taught to me by my Dad first. Then of course I took shop classes at school. I took wood shop, metal shop and small engine shop. I took wood shop class every year it was available. With the history of woodworking in the family, I decided to keep the family name in the business name. With a name like King it left some pretty cool ideas for the business logo. So it is in memory of my Dad and my grandpa, and a few uncles, that did woodworking that I kept King in the company name.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Woodworking has always been a part of who I am. It runs in my family, both my parents were creative. Woodworking was something I picked up from my Dad. While I was in the Air Force I would continue to dabble in making furniture, etc. I couldn’t afford my own tools, but the base had a Wood Hobby Shop. I took full advantage. I built a crib/toddler bed for my youngest daughter utilizing the Wood Hobby Shop. Usually my unit would find out that I like woodworking and I would find myself making recognition boards for the unit where award winners’ photos would be displayed. I also did a lot of DIY projects at various places I lived. I once made a meat smoker out of a wine barrel, feeding my other hobby, barbecue.
When I retired from the Air Force and settled in San Antonio, I started collecting more tools. Adding a tool always sped up a process or smoothed out my efficiency at makingthings. By this time my kids were grown, when the grandkids came along I found myself inspired to make things for them. I made a loft bed, coloring table, toddler sand box picnic table, baby rattles. Then I got interested in making cutting boards, but I wanted them to be unique. I started playing with different woods and stripes, edge grain, end grain, you name it. About this time charcuterie boards were the new thing, I have added them to my list of boards I make. I make them with curly handles, rectangular with metal handles and also incorporated live edge boards.
I found that while making things for my family, I started getting requests from friends and coworkers to make something for them. I had a few tell me I could stand up a business. That is what I did last year. That is when King Custom Woodworks became a thing. Working with wood is therapy for meand ties me back to my family. I chose the name so I can continue with the products I have, but also move into furniture. I personalize my products for everyone if they wish, including Real Estate agents who want personalized closing gifts for their clients.
The years I spent in Europe I really came to love and appreciate the wood furniture that I saw in the stores and at some of the unique places I visited. Wood is really beautiful in its natural state, all it needs is some finishing to bring the grain and color through. I am able to engage my customers to really drill down to what they are looking for. Colors and what woods would best fit their vision. Sometimes people are surprised that all I did was use a good finish to bring out the color and that the wood isn’t stained. I specialize in personalizing what I make for the recipient of my wood product. Everything starts with a conversation, from there I am able to focus on making something really special.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
It is a combination of things. I try to use social media as much as I can. I also go local farmer’s markets at least twice a month. Then of course there is ‘word of mouth’. It is a really a combination of all of these factors that led to getting recognized for my work and getting orders.
I have a website, and I am still building that out. I would love to get more traffic there and orders to come in, be fulfilled and shipped to the customer.
Custom made wood pieces can seem pricey, however there is a lot that goes into making something from wood. Wood is hand selected to highlight the best part of that species of wood and different woods used together in the design make it unique. Regarding cutting boards, not many realize that wood is a safer choice over plastic. A good quality cutting board will absorb bacteria and kill it, while on plastic the bacteria will live until it is washed and sanitized in the dishwasher. We are a consumer nation and there are so many talented makers out there. Skip Walmart, Target and Ikea, check out your local farmers’ markets. There is so much hidden talent in your local community.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I spent 26 years in the military and have travelled to quite a few foreign places. This meant a lot of moving and few times being deployed away from my family. That life really instills resilience in you. The military life is not for everyone, but it suited me and made me who I am.
Starting up a business is not for the faint of heart. The business side of this was my biggest challenge. The learning curve was steep. Setting up a business is a big step. I researched the idea for about 9 months. Sales tax, bookkeeping, how to price products, how to take payments; all things I had to learn. Being a veteran I utilized a program through the Texas Veterans Commission to get started. That program is great and I recommend it to any veteran. I am lucky that I am working and that allows me to enjoy woodworking. I find that I am able to pick up new skills and techniques easily, it feeds my creative side. My wife has been my biggest support and she is a part of this. She believes in making quality kitchen/home decor. I couldn’t take this journey without her.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kingcustomwoodworks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingcustomwood/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingcustomwood
Image Credits
Christopher King