64 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking September 2019 http://www.getwoodworking.comFEATURE Modern woodworking
Anselm Fraser, Principal of The Chippendale
International School of Furniture, introduces
four professional course alumni, each of whom
share their personal secrets of successI
t’s a tough world out there and, alas, there
are no shortcuts to becoming a successful
woodworker. At our school, our nine-month
professional course equips students with
all the skills they need to set up in business as
fine furniture designers. As part of the course,
we also make sure that students understand
the basics of business planning and marketing,
the two fundamentals that underpin success.
It’s our way of making sure that our students
graduate with realistic expectations and an
understanding that success takes perseverance.
So what are some of the pitfalls? Let some
of our former students offer their advice.STUDENT PERSPECTIVES
Ewan Ogilvie
Scotland-based Ewan Ogilvie studied with
us between 2012 and 2013, and cautions
woodworkers to only design and create to the
highest standards: “Your previous customers
can be your best advertisers,” he says, warning
students also to have realistic expectations when
they graduate. “It’s a fantastic way to make ato woodworking, I have learned so much over
the past three years.”
Sam’s advice is to start small to avoid taking
on too much debt by buying expensive tools
and machinery. He also cautions about pricing:
“My first project was a desk that took two months
to make and I charged $800. Terrible! But
don’t also fall into the trap of over-charging.
“Work out what you need to live and pay
the bills, then slowly increase your prices
as time goes on. That’s worked for me.”Gary Staple
Gary Staple, Nova Scotia, Canada (2013–2014)
also advises new woodworkers to keep their
overheads low: “The first few years will be
the most difficult and high overheads can sink
a new company. My advice is not to rush out
and buy lots of shiny new equipment, but
do buy quality in the tools you use the most.”
He also emphasises the importance of
pricing: “It’s easy to price too low, but the
fact of the matter is that custom furniture
is a high-end market product.”He also advises new woodworkers to document
everything and take lots of photographs: “The
internet is your greatest sales tool, but only your
best pieces should make it onto the website.
Build your online presence with good content.”
Lastly, Gary also warns new woodworkers
to have sensible expectations: “Grow slow, be
patient, and don’t rush into your dream workshop
until you’re sure you can afford it,” he says.Mike Whittall
Mike Whittall, Scotland (2015–2016) was
fortunate to ‘hit the ground running’ with a
good commission from an ex-colleague, and
advises new woodworkers not to underestimate
their existing network of friends, relations or
former colleagues. He set up his own workshop
at home and made a plan to design and make
new furniture, take on restoration work and run
woodworking courses.
“The idea was to create three complementary
income streams, which could fit round each other
and show customers a variety of activity. For a
creative, this might all sound a bit too much like
business speak, but, ultimately, a business was
what I needed as well as being an outlet for my
creative ideas,” says Mike.
“Just under three years on, the plan is starting
to show growth. The commissions are beginning
to come, restoration projects are now fairly
regular, and I have also developed a series of
weekend courses.
“I won’t pretend it’s been a walk in the park,
but that’s the reality for any business start-up.
To extend an oft-used phrase, this whole thing
has been a real journey, both frustrating and
rewarding and I wouldn’t change a single thing,”
finishes Mike.Sage advice
All those students have now made it in the world
of fine furniture design and making, but despite
working in different parts of the world, and
specialising in different areas of woodworking,
their sage advice is much the same: be realistic,
start small, don’t pile up unnecessary debt on
expensive equipment you’ll rarely use, but,
above all, persevere!FURTHER INFORMATION
To find out more about courses offered by
The Chippendale International School of
Furniture, see http://www.chippendaleschool.comMAKING SUCCESS HAPPEN
Sam Rouse runs Sam Rouse Furniture and loves itEwan’s company, Ogilvies of Haddington, gives
employment to three other graduates from the schoolGary Staple owns and runs his own business,
Gary Staple Fine Woodworkingliving,” says Ewan, “and I wouldn’t now change
it for the world, but establishing yourself in
the market takes time and hard work.”Sam Rouse
Sam Rouse (2015–2016) from the USA has
a more cautionary tale. After graduation, when
he landed back in the USA, he found a voicemail
from an interior designer on his phone. He
had a client who’d just built a $1million dollar
home and was looking for upwards of 15 pieces
of furniture. Sam immediately set up a workshop
in North Carolina, and one month later the client
disappeared and stole the interior designer’s
designs. “That’s how my story starts,” says
Sam. “New city, wife, one daughter, no work.
That’s the bad news. The good news? Three
years later, I am making furniture at Sam Rouse
Furniture and loving it. Although I am still new