Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mel Stutzman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Having personally worked in nearly every role within Amish furniture workshops, I’m a firm believer in the exceptional character of Amish woodworking, especially in a world dominated by fast furniture. Without online businesses, most Americans wouldn’t have access to this level of quality, nor would skilled Amish craftspeople be able to reach broader audiences.

I saw the opportunity to bridge that gap, making Amish furniture accessible to a broader markets across the contiguous US. Even better, I get to educate consumers not only about Amish craftsmanship but also about the art of high-caliber woodworking. I find that incredibly rewarding.

Mel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Mel Stutzman, and I am the owner of Countryside Amish Furniture, an online retailer where customers can order custom-made, authentic Amish furniture.

My formal education ended after the eighth grade, and internet marketing was something I discovered later in life. But, when I reflect on it, my path feels almost inevitable.

Growing up in a family of four generations of entrepreneurs, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the building blocks of success: strong relationship-building, quality products, and a reputation built on integrity. My grandfather, a respected figure in our community, demonstrated these principles daily through his hard work and commitment. These values continue to guide me today.

Additionally, my entire career has been dedicated to working with Amish furniture. I spent multiple decades in woodworking shops, gaining hands-on experience in nearly every role imaginable. This deep knowledge and passion led me to an unexpected opportunity in 2010, when I took over a struggling online business selling cabinetry and furniture. This marked the beginning of my journey into the world of eCommerce, where I was able to apply my industry expertise and cultural understanding to close the gap between Amish builders and a broader market.

Today, I continue to leverage my personal ties to the Amish community and firsthand experience in furniture making to offer better quality than many of my competitors. Having established personal connections with individual builders, I can ensure that the made-to-order furniture meets my standards, from the specific timber selection to the complete staining of every angle, including the backs. In turn, I act as a bridge between the public and Amish builders, collaborating directly with workshops to align with evolving market trends.

My team consistently goes above and beyond to satisfy our customers, with roughly 25% of our business focused on customization requests. One recent example involved a client who, at 6’10”, needed a desk with an additional four inches of legroom. We worked closely with him to fully understand his needs and crafted a desk that fit him perfectly.

Fast furniture has become endemic, leading to millions of tons of it piling into landfills each year. Amish furniture stands as a strong alternative, preserving time-honored craftsmanship and creating pieces built to last for generations. I’m proud to play a small role in making Amish craftsmanship more accessible to the broader public through my business.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

For Countryside Amish Furniture, brand loyalty comes from humanizing the experience at every touchpoint. Knowing that our customers have chosen to work with a small business rather than a large chain, we actively invest in nurturing relationships rather than treating them as mere transactions.

For example, we often help customers brainstorm furniture customizations based on photos they provide or proactively find solutions to their furnishing challenges. Post-purchase, we have real humans confirm the order and arrange delivery times rather than sending automated messages.

Our delivery team is particularly crucial to humanizing the brand, as they provide the only face-to-face interactions with our customers. Beyond setting up furniture in clients’ homes, they are carefully selected and trained to offer a warm, customer-focused experience.

Ultimately, handling each customer relationship individually allows us to better fulfill their customization needs while encouraging two-way discourse. This, paired with genuinely high-quality furniture, has led to many of our customers returning and referring us to others.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

To maintain high morale within a team, I believe it’s essential to create an environment where everyone feels valued and understood. I liken it to raising a garden—providing the right conditions for each individual to thrive leads to natural growth. Micromanage the plants, and you can stifle organic processes.

An essential first step is to place the right people in the right positions, allowing their roles to evolve over time. I encourage open communication and make sure everyone feels their opinions are valued, regardless of their title. I also proactively ask questions to confirm that people are in roles where they feel both supported and challenged. I ask about their personal and professional goals and make a sincere effort to offer growth opportunities that align with those aspirations.

Maintaining high morale also involves recognizing the small but meaningful things that matter to each employee and understanding the work environments where they thrive. If someone needs to start early and end early in order to pick up their children from school, offering flexible hours can help create a more supportive work-life balance. Even enabling team members to shape their work environment can go a long way in enhancing their job satisfaction.

Above all else, my employees know that I trust them. No one likes to have their boss constantly looking over their shoulder, so I grant them the space to take personal ownership of projects. What’s more, I encourage out-of-the-box ideas, no matter the source. This mutual respect creates a foundation of healthy team morale, where everyone feels valued and empowered.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.countrysideamishfurniture.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countryside_amish/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countrysideamishfurniture
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/countryside_amish/