We recently connected with Mikael Valentin and have shared our conversation below.
Mikael , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
Finding the perfect name was honestly a challenge. We had a list of ideas, initials, local references, even some classic corporate-sounding names yet none of them had the heart we were looking for. The answer came to us one evening in an unplanned moment. Our son, who we had nicknamed ‘Baby T,’ let out a little cry. My wife called out to him, and in that instant, it all came together! We knew we wanted a name that symbolized growth and new beginnings, and ‘Baby Tree’ felt like the perfect fit. It’s a name that’s deeply personal to us, and it embodies the nurturing spirit of our work.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello, I am Michael Valentin and I am the woodworker behind Baby Tree Woodworks. Our business story is rooted in a pivotal time for many 2020/2021. I had spent four to five years building a career as a chef, but when the pandemic hit, the restaurant industry was completely upended. Jobs were scarce, and the hours were not guaranteed, even with the experience as a head chef! After months of trying to find a new path, I had to make a pivot in my career. To make a living, I transitioned into construction from roofing/siding and even concrete, along the way I started to acquire a collection of tools and new sets of skills. But the creative spark truly came back when a close friend of ours had suggested I try making a cutting board. As a chef, I had always admired high-quality boards, but they were never within my budget. So naturally I went down the YouTube rabbit hole, determined to make one for myself! After that first successful cutting board, I started making a few for friends. The feedback was so positive that my wife and I decided to take a chance and sign up for a local market. The moment we saw people connect with our handcrafted pieces, we knew this was more than a hobby. It was a business we wanted to build together, and that’s how Baby Tree Woodworks came to life.
Our core mission at Baby Tree Woodworks is to provide our customers with exceptional, handcrafted wooden products. We started with a laser focus on quality cutting boards, offering a range from lightweight prep boards, small statement charcuterie boards And professional-grade chef blocks. But as our business grew we realized that our customers often wanted more than just a single cutting board. They were looking to add a variety of unique, functional wood pieces to their homes! That’s why we’ve since expanded our collection to include a variety of items like coasters, wine caddies, bread knives, trays, bowls, key holders, and other wooden goods! I will say though of all our new products, our propagation stations hold a special place in our hearts. They’re a perfect reflection of our brand’s name! Nurturing something from a small beginning, and they’re a nod to our own love for plants and growth. We feel they truly embody the spirit of Baby Tree Woodworks.
What truly makes us proud is the transformation itself. Taking a rough piece of timber and turning it into a beautiful functional center piece for someone’s home! Our goal is for every item we craft to be more than just a product; we want it to be a unique, conversational piece. We also diligently document every single item we make, from our boards to bowls and everything in between, because we believe in the value of individuality. Our customers can be confident that they are receiving a truly custom piece, one that will never be repeated from our line. This commitment ensures that each item is a one-of-a-kind creation, made specifically for their home.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building our reputation has been a very personal journey. Rather than relying solely on online sales, we made a conscious choice to be present at farmers’ markets and trade events within our city. We believe that there’s no substitute for the experience of putting a product directly into a customer’s hands. This personal interaction allows us to share the unique story behind each piece, where the timber came from and how it was handcrafted. We believe that the story is what elevates our work from being just a simple product to a conversational piece with a soul. It’s truly humbling when customers stop by and tell us they’re already enjoying a piece they bought and or have been gifted from us. That kind of connection is the foundation of our business, and it’s something we are incredibly proud of.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
My love story with my wife Kayla began in the vibrant, sometimes chaotic world of the restaurant Vagabond. She was a friend of a friend who worked with me and later on eventually came to work on our team. We started as friends, and our connection was built on late nights, easy conversation and drunken shenanigans. We honestly were inseparable hanging out all the time, and I felt a natural pull toward her that I couldn’t explain. One night at the bar, the casual friendship turned into a moment that felt like destiny. Without a word, she simply reached across and held my hand. In that instant, it felt as though every part of my life had led to that very moment. I had never felt so completely and naturally connected to another person before. I knew in the deepest part of my heart, that I found my home and I haven’t looked back since. She is not only my amazing partner in this business, but she is the incredible mother to our son and the beautiful foundation of our family. I am truly blessed to have her by my side.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.babytreewoodworks.com
- Instagram: BabyTreeWoodworks
- Facebook: Baby Tree Woodworks
Image Credits
@Abby_Scottphotography