Whiskey & Wood Podcast

EP13 From Scratch :: Brothers Team up to build a wood business

Join us for the **13th episode of the Whiskey and Wood Podcast**.
In this episode, we’re pouring a glass of whiskey 🥃 and chatting with our favorite lumber-loving brothers, **Mark and Eric Lien** from Liens Lumber and Sawmills, take you on a journey through the world of woodworking!
Expect to hear about:
- The art of crafting stunning custom furniture
- Insights into premium lumber production
- Tips for navigating the ups and downs of running a sawmill
- The Lien's exciting plans for future marketing, sales and growth
Whether you're a seasoned woodworker or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable advice and motivation to help you turn your passion into profit.
So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s dive into the world where whiskey meets wood! Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes filled with tips, tricks, and tales from the woodworking community. Cheers!

Worth the Wait::Finally Doing What I Want to Do!

Joey, a seasoned professional in the woodworking industry, brings a wealth of experience to the table. As the driving force behind DCW Hardwoods & Slabs, he's built a thriving family-owned business that's been crafting high-quality furniture and home decor for over a decade.

Making it work::career change to new business

Listen to Paul talk to iDRY customer Evan @ Mountain Man Timberworks about his journey from one a completely different career to an at home sawmill, drying kiln and woodworking business. Not easy...but worth it!

Big changes are coming to the urban lumber market - Are you ready?

Sims Acuff is based in Georgia at Eutree and has coined the term "Forest Free" to describe wood sourced from trees removed for reasons other than lumber value. Acuff's background includes working in a tree service during college and eventually starting his own tree business.
Acuff discusses the technical challenges of drying lumber for precise products like flooring and cabinets, as opposed to more forgiving live-edge slabs. He emphasizes the importance of proper drying techniques to avoid issues like uneven shrinkage.
The episode highlights Sims Acuff's innovative approach to sustainable lumber production and his efforts to transform the industry through vertical integration, automation, and community building. Listeners are encouraged to explore the Urban Wood Network and consider the potential of decentralized lumber production.

From Skeptic to Social Media Star: How Instagram Grew Blacktail Studio

Ever scroll through Instagram and see something amazing, then wonder how they built such a following? This week, we meet Cam Anderson of Blacktail Studio, a woodworker who went from "social media? what's that?" to woodworking rockstar on Instagram and YouTube.
Starting off skeptical and completely clueless about the platform, Cam took a leap of faith (thanks to his wife!), diving headfirst into the unknown. What followed was a rollercoaster of trial and error, with Cam gradually realizing the immense impact Instagram could have on his woodworking venture. From initially posting a handful of photos to mastering the craft of hashtags, Cam takes us through the evolution of Blacktail Studios' Instagram journey.
Listen in as Cam shares the candid ups and downs of his Instagram experience, shedding light on how this seemingly simple social platform became a game-changer for his business. Discover how Instagram not only boosted his online presence but also opened doors to a world of unforeseen opportunities.

Small Business VS Challenges - A tale with Ruben Custom Sawmill

Ever dreamed of quitting your day job to pursue your passion? This episode features Matt Ruben from Ruben Custom Sawmill, a woodworker who built a successful business from the ground up. But just when things were taking off, he faced a major setback. Listen in as he shares his story of perseverance and how he overcame adversity to keep his dream alive.

Beyond the Boards: Unlocking the Profit Potential of Live Edge Lumber

Live edge lumber - a unique and increasingly popular material sought after by furniture makers, designers, and homeowners alike. We're talking about how to turn selling those slabs into a business.
We'll be chatting with the experts from Odd Wood Lumber, who will share their insights on: 
The growing market for live edge slabs and lumber: Why is this material trending, and what are the key factors driving demand?
Unlocking the profit potential: Learn the strategies and techniques used by Odd Wood Lumber to source, process, and sell live edge lumber at a premium.
From mill to market: Discover the steps involved in the live edge lumber journey, from selecting the right trees to reaching your target customers.

Turning Logs Into Playgrounds With Urban Lumber

We are beyond excited to talk with Shaun Preston of @BaltimoreRecNParks Camp Small and the City of Baltimore! Shaun turned his city's "stump dump" into a pitstop instead of a final destination for Baltimore's trees, and now he uses that wood to create city park benches, playgrounds, and even habitat structures for the Baltimore Zoo!!! This episode is a great example of someone taking the Urban Lumber Movement by the horns and using it to directly benefit their community with products that would have been destined for the landfill.

Boost Your Business - An Online Ads Success Story

Find out what Matt Morgan did to make advertising work for his sawmill business and how it helped him leave his day job, buy a woodmizer sawmill, and succeed.

The Surprising Pivot: What inspired Wasioja Wood to Swap Media for Milling?

Have you ever dreamt of leaving your current path and pursuing a completely different passion? In this episode, we're sippin' with Wasioja Wood, who took a surprising leap from the world of media into the exciting world of wood drying.
Join us as we get into:
The unexpected pivot: What sparked Wasioja's decision to trade the newsroom for the sawmill?
From headlines to sawdust: Explore the challenges and triumphs Wasioja faced in navigating a completely new industry.
Building a wood empire: Discover the secrets behind Wasioja's success in establishing a thriving wood-drying business in under a year!