We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nick Murray a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick , thanks for joining us today. Do you have any advice regarding quality control and maintaining quality as your brand grows?

Quality is the undeniable foundation of furniture making. It’s very easy to tell if a piece is lacking quality, there’s no way around it and maintaining that same level of quality while trying to scale up is challenging. The learning curve for furniture making is non-linear. It takes years to hone your skills enough to make a piece that someone would want to buy. As demand grows, maintaining quality comes down to two important aspects: time and repetition. Time and repetition play crucial roles in increasing furniture making efficiency while maintaining quality. The process of crafting furniture involves various intricate tasks, from milling materials and cutting joinery to assembling and finishing. Over time, as we repeat these steps, they become more skilled and efficient, reducing the time required for each task. This increased efficiency is key to meeting production deadlines and controlling costs. Quality is always a concern during times of growth and if I could give a few pieces of advice it would be this:
– Increase your appetite for risk. I don’t mean go crazy and get in over your head, but do something that will force you to develop your skills while maintaining your level of quality.
– Master the fundamentals. They are your foundation for everything, there’s a reason the foundation of your house it made from concrete and not cardboard. Strong fundamentals are the key to growth.

Nick , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always had an interest in building things. It started as a kid watching my dad in the garage and grew from high school shop class to a post-college hobby and finally to a business. Ohio Leather & Lumber was started in 2018 in a small attic in Lakewood, Ohio. The business and family has since grown into a larger space where I am able to grow my passion for furniture. I work with both traditional hand tools and modern-day machinery to make heirloom furniture. Every piece that comes through my shop is made using time-tested traditional joinery with quality and longevity in mind. Our motto, “Local Goods for Good Locals.” is a promise to the community that we will provide the highest quality furniture and products.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

I am the sole producer of all Ohio Leather & Lumber products at our Akron, Ohio workshop. I am a “self-taught” student of the furniture world. My dad got me into it as a young kid and over the years, I’ve continually honed my skills. Growing up in the age of readily available information has been a blessing, with an ever-expanding wealth of resources for learning furniture making techniques. However, the real challenge is in translating that knowledge into tangible skills. It’s in this process that the true craftsmanship emerges, and every piece I create is a testament to the dedication and effort invested. The meticulous attention to detail in our furniture sets us apart from the competition.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Social media and word of mouth have both played pivotal roles in our business growth, consistently connecting us with new clientele. In the realm of custom furniture, each piece is a reflection of a client’s distinct tastes and preferences. These one-of-a-kind creations often hold deep personal significance, making clients proud to showcase them to their friends and family. As they share their pieces, our work becomes a conversation starter, sparking interest and inquiries from those in their social circles. This organic and authentic form of advertising not only validates the uniqueness of our offerings but also fosters a sense of trust and loyalty among our clients and their referrals. It’s a testament to the power of personal connections and the quality of our craftsmanship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ohioleatherlumber.com/
• Instagram: @Ohio_Leather_Lumber
• Facebook: Ohio Leather & Lumber
• Youtube: @OhioLeatherLumber