We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Will Hudgins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Will below.

Will, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Growing up, I was always one that’s been drawn to creative outlets and making things. When I was introduced to woodworking, I fell completely in love with the process and how it made me feel. It was something I knew I wanted to keep around in my life forever. As the passion grew, I couldn’t ignore my desire to design and build custom furniture as a career. I was also extremely attracted to the lifestyle folks had in Southern California after visiting a couple times. I wanted to create a life where I could have both of these everyday.

After working as a project manager with general contractor for a few years, I decided to jump ship, quit my job, and pursue the lifestyle and career I had been craving. So, I moved from Atlanta to San Diego. There’s definitely been some struggles along the way, but when I take a step back and realize I am exactly where I wanted to be, I can’t help but to be grateful for what I get to do everyday and where I get to live. My life has amplified so much since moving here and couldn’t be happier that I took the risk to move across the country and flip my life 180 degrees.

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

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I picked up woodworking while playing baseball in college. I was immediately hooked and was constantly wanting to learn more. I moved to San Diego in the summer of 2021 to pursue this as a career and a desire for a simpler lifestyle. I now reside in Encinitas, where in short I build and design custom furniture and small wood goods. This includes anything from all types of tables, to dressers, desks, cutting boards, serving trays, benches, vinyl record stands, headboards, and surfboard wall art. Tables and cutting boards have definitely been at the fore front. I personally love to design and bring a completely custom piece to life from a sketch. One of the biggest advantages to custom furniture is the client gets a totally custom piece specific to their exact needs. Something which you can’t find in big box shops where mass production is the MO.

My goal is to design and handcraft high quality furniture using solid hardwoods, where it is built with the intent to last generations. It is very rewarding building a relationship with a client, then seeing their faces when their piece is delivered, knowing it is unique to them and it is something they will have forever.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Since moving to San Diego, I have worked under two people. Both of which I just reached out to looking for work and the desire to learn more in the furniture and design industry. I first worked for Helvey Design Studio, where I reached out through email and met up with Cameron, the owner, on a jobsite in Los Olivos, while I was on a solo trip traveling the coast of California. He offered me a job on the spot which ended up being the catalyst to me quitting my job back on the east coast after my trip.

After a year, I found Brenton Ottley, owner of Kiwi Woodshop. I shot him a message through Instrgram and have now been working with him for over 2 years helping build high-end custom furniture. He has been such an influential part of my growth and has allowed me to also build my business while continuing to work for him. So, to those looking to learn from others they admire or the work they produce, I highly recommend sending them a message. You never know what will come out of it.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Most clients have come from word of mouth. It is great having my work out in places where there is going to be traffic, as well as clients sharing my work to their family and friends. This could be from a client having a dinner where they gather around a table that I built. It could be a tray of food served on a big cutting board at a house party. Could even be a dresser someone spots in a friend’s bedroom. This all sparks conversation and leads to interest or questions that gets back to me, which I am so grateful for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hudginswoodco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hudginswoodco/?hl=en

Image Credits

Will Hudgins