Woodworking can be a deeply fulfilling hobby, a practical skill, or even a powerful form of therapy. But turning it into a business? That’s a whole different challenge. Many aspiring makers struggle to bridge the gap between creativity and profitability, especially when faced with the realities of tools, pricing, and risk.
In this episode, Stoane Loudenslager shares how to turn woodworking into a profitable venture, from pricing and risk to finding your niche and building a business that lasts. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take your skills to the next level, Stoane shares practical ways to make money from woodworking, even when you PCS.
Stoane has been around construction all of his life. He has over 20 years of experience as a professional woodworker, mostly in multimillion-dollar shops. After taking those lessons from large shops to a couple of small shops where he was employed, they saw success. He then started his own successful company using the same ideas. Now he’s sharing them in his book, online course, and consulting.
Don’t Let Self-Doubt or Risk Keep You From Starting
Many aspiring woodworkers are held back by the belief that they aren’t good enough. Stoane believes most people are more capable than they think. While quality matters, there’s room to grow, and starting small can minimize risk. You don’t need to create high-end fine furniture to make money. Something as simple as birdhouses or finger skateboards can become a niche business with consistent effort and creativity.
Rather than waiting until everything feels perfect, Stoane encourages a small start. Try building three to five items and selling them in three to five local markets. You’ll learn what works, get feedback, and slowly build confidence.
Woodworking Can Work for Mobile Military Life
For military families who PCS every few years, Stoane suggests finding low-risk ways to maintain and grow a woodworking side business. That could include:
- Subcontracting for install jobs like trim or cabinets
- Using makerspaces in new cities instead of renting shop space
- Storing projects in climate-controlled storage to keep products clean and secure
- Selling at local makers markets, holiday fairs, or farmers markets
He also notes that skills in punctuality, discipline, and communication, which many service members already have, are attractive to tradespeople and contracting companies that struggle to find reliable workers.
Follow the Market to Find Your Niche
You might not know what sells until you start selling. Stoane shared stories of makers who discovered profitable product lines by accident like someone who brought cutting boards to a market and ended up taking custom orders for cribbage boards. Another stumbled into cabinet work for healthcare clinics, turning a one-off job into a steady revenue stream. Listen to the market and adapt. The more you show up, the more opportunities will find you.
Be Strategic About Pricing and Payments
Pricing can be one of the trickiest parts of turning a hobby into a business. Stoane breaks down a few key points:
- For makers markets, customers pay upfront, and the product is sold on-site
- For custom furniture or residential work, it’s typical to require a 50% deposit
- On commercial projects, payment may not come for 30 to 90 days after delivery
Risk and relationship matter. If you’re using rare materials, working with a new client, or taking on a larger job, get more upfront to protect your cash flow. For long-term clients with reliable payment history, terms can be more flexible.
He reminds us that entrepreneurs are often acting like credit unions, floating costs for weeks or months while paying their team. You have to manage risk, plan your cash flow, and sometimes walk away from big opportunities that could stretch your resources too thin.
Start Small and Grow With Intention
Many small shops fall into the trap of chasing high-end work before they’re ready. Fancy tools, custom designs, and large-scale projects might look impressive, but they come with higher risk and complexity. Stoane emphasizes repeatable processes, staying organized, and only investing in tools or people when there’s a consistent need.
The most successful shops he’s worked with grew slowly and intentionally. They didn’t buy top-of-the-line equipment until they had outgrown the tools they had. They built systems around reliable workflows and scaled based on what was already working.
Related: Strategies for Business Growth and Strategic Exits
Hiring Help: Start With Character
When it comes time to hire, Stoane says to hire for character first, not just skill. The first hire can be the hardest, but it doesn’t have to be full-time right away. He suggests following the same strategy he used when launching his business: put in extra hours, track results, and only bring someone on when it’s clear there’s consistent demand. The right team member won’t just lighten your load, they’ll help you grow with stability.
Related: Hiring Freelancers for Your Business
Wrapping It Up
Turning woodworking into a business isn’t about perfection. It’s about starting where you are, minimizing risk, and being willing to adapt. Whether you’re working out of a garage or using a local makerspace, there’s real opportunity to make money doing something you enjoy, especially if you’re patient, resourceful, and open to learning.
Stoane’s biggest advice? Stay in the game. The most successful woodworkers didn’t hit it big overnight. They listened to their market, worked through tough seasons, and treated every lesson as fuel for the next opportunity.
Resources
- Wood and Stoane
- Wood and Stoane on YouTube
- Big Profits from a Small Shop: Turn Your Woodworking Skills into Income
- Guideline Payroll
- Festool Track Saw
MILMO Show Sponsor
Support for the MILMO Show is provided by Navy Federal Credit Union. Happy Military Appreciation Month to everyone. It’s a special month for our community, and Navy Fed wants to celebrate its members. One of their offers in honor of Military Appreciation Month: Join and get $50 when you open a credit card. To get that offer, you must join and open a membership savings account between May 1st and May 31st. They also offer member-only exclusive rates, discounts and tools to empower their members and help them reach their goals. You can learn more about their Military Appreciation Month offers at navyfederal.org/celebrate.
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