We were lucky to catch up with Lainey Horn recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lainey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero would definitely be my dad. Growing up I always admired him for his ability to connect wholeheartedly with others. He was compassionate and encouraging, always taking time to listen without passing judgement. He raised me to be kind, but also strong and steadfast. He instilled confidence in me and always encouraged me to reach for my goals. As I got older we began working on projects together in the workshop. He taught me how to use power tools and empowered me to use my creativity. When he passed away suddenly in 2017 I knew that I needed to carry on his legacy somehow. I started Carved KC in 2019 as more of a hobby and a way to feel connected to my dad again, but it quickly grew into a business and has led me down a path I never would’ve imagined for myself. He was a huge mentor for me growing up, and I owe a lot of my success to him!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Lainey Horn and I am the owner of Carved KC, a local Kansas City business specializing in handcrafted home decor and furniture. I grew up in the burbs of KC, surrounded by lakes and hiking/biking trails, and spent most of my childhood running around barefoot outdoors with friends. I draw a lot of inspiration for my work from my former childhood adventures, and my current nature “escapades”. I grew up helping my dad create projects in the workshop and fix things around the house, while simultaneously learning the importance of “measure twice, cut once”. I have always enjoyed being creative and working with my hands, but my favorite part about woodworking is creating pieces to share with others, so that they may foster their own stories. CKC is rooted in connectivity, and is brought to life by the people who gather around these pieces with loved ones.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That women “can’t” be woodworkers. I have faced my fair share of doubt and criticism in a predominantly male-dominated industry, and I used to let it get me down. I fell into a pattern of doubting myself and my craft and wondering if I wasn’t cut out for this career after all. But for every negative comment, sideways glance, and raised eyebrow, I noticed I was getting twice the amount of praise, thank yous, and “you’re really talented” comments. The comments that stick with me the most are the, “your dad would be so proud” ones. Because I know he is proud and I know he is always rooting for me to succeed. I’ve turned my doubts into triumphs and look forward to taking on the “hard” projects, because I’m confident in my skills and ability. I would love to see even more female woodworkers in the industry in the future.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I’m a firm believer that if you take pride in your work, the work will speak for itself. I strive to create high quality pieces for every client, and make sure that they are completely satisfied with the work. It also never hurts to bring them a small gift of gratitude as a thank you for their business (a handwritten note or a small tangible item) as well as leaving them some business cards that they could potentially pass to others. Not only will this ensure you repeat customers, but I promise it will also bring you new ones too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carvedkc.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/carvedkc