Out of all the videos on RUclips that are about sales, selling-techniques etc.; this is by far the most straightforward and honest video I've ever found! I really appreciate that!
Great video explaining the ins and outs of what it takes to start selling cutting boards. Totally agree with etsy being the wrong place to start selling your work. It is so over saturated that it would be a brutal place to start. I have 2 friends here locally that that do really well selling cutting boards to the local market. Word of mouth, friends and family and local venues work great for them. I really appreciate the shout-out buddy!
Pretty much spot on. I started making cutting boards when the pandemic began. Just a way to make money while my work was closed. $5000 in tools and 15 months later I am back at my regular job and constantly have orders coming in as well. It's tough as a one man operation and having a real full time job too. But you can make decent side money at it and if your boards are quality then business will come mostly by word of mouth
Thank you so much for including cost of labor. I see so many videos where they just deduct the cost of their materials from the sale price and say that's their profit. Your time, as a craftsman is worth money too.
20 years into woodworking and now I am being bombarded into making cutting boards. I made cutting boards one time and now everybody wants one. My mom has a big mouth....loll! excellent video Brad!
In the late 70's I turned a hobby into a business, video production. By the early 90's I was working two full time jobs, had employees ,and no longer enjoyed video production. I sold the business to my employees. I stayed at my original profession and retired. Now have been a woodworker for many years. Great info and I enjoyed your video. All your points are valid and true. Keep up the videos and good luck in your career.
Everything you said is everything I've gone through the last 5 years! This year is my year of actually making money after moving to a bigger shop and having enough space for the tools I need. Also making 2 boards at a time instead of just one because somebody always wants a copy 😁
If you make 10 at a time you cut down the total labour cost through repetition surely? Making 100 even more so, assuming you employ an apprentice or 2 to do the repetitive, labour intensive stuff. With the profits you could employ skilled wood carvers to embellish your works, even personalise them for an extra fee...
I made an enormous end-grain hard maple board, for my wife. It was designed to use to serve roast beef at dinner parties, but she normally uses it for kneeding dough for noodles or bread, covering one end of the kitchen table.
I’m starting woodworking as hobby/side hustle and I started with wood coasters, I’m working on doing cutting boards, serving boards etc… these were great tips to consider planning on using my basement and converting it to a home shop!!
This is an amazing video. I echo Krisof's earlier feedback and want to add that I think all aspriring-entrepreneurs should watch this because cutting boards represent anything you could consider selling that involves creation of a physical object, especially handmade. I plan to show it to my daughter as one of those parent-kid life lessons on how business works....Thank you for the hard work you obviously put into creating it. Well done.
I started this "hobby" just before I retired from the Fire Department and the Army Reserves, about 2010. Really it was not a hobby at first. I needed to fix things around the house. It sorta of grew from that. I always like tools, it is a man thing I guess. This video gave me a reason and a means to pay for new cool tools. I have not found any local places to buy nice wood yet. I don't think I make things well enough to sell, even thou people who have seen my stuff ask for me to make them one. Your business concept seems to be almost right out the "book". This was a really good video. Thanks Will Williams
Thank you very much for this video. Your open and honest manner is just great. You talk openly about your own business model and encourage others to give their woodwork a try. Thank you for all of these tips and suggestions. Please keep it up. Best regards from Hamburg, Germany
@@Fixthisbuildthat Then you need to factor in the cost of electricity as the CNC can't do the entire side in one go, plus the wear and tear on the CNC and CNC consumables, probably no real difference in the end, maybe the CNC cost more to run but may save a little time.
Made my first cutting board last year as a secret Santa gift for a coworker. Ended up being 2 boards, over shot how much wood I would need. Made an inverted chevron pattern with walnut, yellow-heart, and paduk. Legitimately, the most colorful project I ever made to date and I absolutely nailed it on my first try! Took me about a month to do it right. Unfortunately, said coworker was out sick during the exchange, and I didn't get to see her reaction. It wasn't hard to figure out I was her secret Santa, so she did tell me she loved it, though she did not want to use it over fear of ruining the design.
I feel like I have a degree in cutting board sales now! Great video Brad. Also timely since I sold my first couple boards this year so this is helpful. Definitely a lot of fun to make and sell.
the dude kris is a cutting board boss. I've watched his process many times and thought that's how I'm gonna do it but making long boards then cutting to size. :) Thanks for the breakdown.
I sell them at craft fairs, haven’t had luck online. Quite frankly i don’t charge enough, mine are incredibly involved and unique and until I saw your video im not taking all the work that I put into them into consideration. Thanks for your video, great tips and info
Chris Devos is actually the person I watched, and between him and Davis and Jenny, is the reason why I got into buying my lumber in bulk. I don't plan on making one or two boards as gifts, but rather hundreds of boards to offer for sale. At this typing, I now have over 3,000 board feet of lumber ready to go, have added both a large drum sander, a new planer, and an edge sander to my shop. I run two very successful businesses now, but they are both mostly seasonal, so I am training my employees how to keep all three running efficiently, and keep them employed year around.
This is most definitely the best and most informative video I have ever come across. Not just with cutting boards but with information in general on selling your products!!
Thanks for the info! Honestly not too interested in cutting boards specifically (mostly because of how saturated the market seems!), but I really liked the format of this video and thought all the tips were excellent and certainly applicable to more than just cutting boards. Thanks again!
Definitely an easy way to make money and easy build if you’re just starting out and can make them more intricate as you get more experienced. Thanks for sharing the tips as the goal is to always inspire others! 👍🏼
Definitely helpful and would love more videos with this sort of advice as I am about to launch my business soon and I am always always ALWAYS keen for more knowledge and tips. Thank you.
great info we are just getting into cutting boards and thanks for the comment about end grain and planers we started of well as we have lots of native new zealand hard wood we got for free so initial costs have been planer and sanders plus oils but what you have said has made me rethink pricing so we can actually get a good profit/cost ratio thanks again from allan and jnr
If you batch and always keep a bunch at hand, it works really well for the "word of mouth" type sales. I personally do not make any cutting boards other than end grain boards. People who specifically want end grain boards know what they're looking for and are willing to pay for it.
Looks like someone took a biz class or two at UT. Great info that many people on RUclips can use and hopefully apply the same concepts to any/all business. There is a young, married couple on RUclips (I don’t want to mention them by name) who try to sell their “expertise” about selling woodworking products and they are a complete joke. Snake-oil salesmen in my opinion. Yet too many people believe that they have expertise. They should watch this video and see how it’ should be done. Good work Brad.
I think I know which one your talking about. There are a couple of more on YT that think they are super woodworkers & try to preach how to's, which they couldn't build a simple dog house.
I have a masters in business from UC (Cincinnati) and I always like to share the business aspect of things when I talk with people. Too many folks just think they will sell something for $100 and that they "made $100". If you're not evaluating the full profit and loss statement then you don't have a full picture of the business!
I’m always looking for ways to make money. This video has been extremely helpful. Well put together, very informative on all levels. I accidentally stumbled into it while looking for different ways to make a cribbage board / template and real glad I checked it out. Thanks for the info. I will be giving it a shot. PS. Would love to see more.
G'day from Australia awesome work thanks for the advice much appreciated I've been making and selling my cutting boards plus a few other pieces for a short time and your advice will be taken on board no pun intended haha but your advice given will be used cheers mate and keep up the good work
Oh great. Now you just told your 1.21 MILLION subscribers how to make money selling cutting boards so my competition just quadrilliondrupled. JUST JOKING. Great advice and thanks for sharing!!
Tons of great info in this video!! I recently got a drum sander and it really handles the end grain like a dream! I've had some stuff posted on facebook marketplace for months and haven't sold a thing :( It really is harder than it looks.
@@Fixthisbuildthat If that's the case (it doesn't appear that way with the addition of "est 2006") then you would want to first make it plural (Rodriguezes) and then make it possessive (Rodriguezes'). All of the various rules of grammar and punctuation are difficult, I know, but they are crucial, especially when customizing a piece for a customer or as a gift.
Yeah, I don't like spending time on cutting boards. I just do face or edge grain unless a client specifically wants an end grain board. This is just my side gig, so I don't mind if I don't get a huge amount of orders. I also live in the SF Bay Area, where people have a stupid amount of money and like to impulse buy. I try to sell at events that involve alcohol as much as I can ;) I make juice grooves with my CNC and don't offer handholds. I just chamfer the bottom half. Also, a laser is way cheaper for customization, compared to a CNC. Also, S3S is worth the minor extra cost. I bought rough recently and yeah u spend way more time planing and crap.
I learn a lot from your videos! Can you please share your favorite wood suppliers in Nashville? I want to make a pantry and the local big box stores have terrible quality. Thank you!
Man you hit the nail on the head from so many angles. The first cutting board I made was under three quarter inch thick I think and I was so proud. It looks great but I get what you're saying on thickness and being able to sell it for more. What oil recommendations for a drum sander on a small scale and affordable? I have a planer but not a drum sander
This kinda motivates me to get back on esty. Only sold maybe 5 cutting boards on there but that still was a grand of revenue. I just hate esty and selling online. But can't really get past that.
Out of all the videos on RUclips that are about sales, selling-techniques etc.; this is by far the most straightforward and honest video I've ever found! I really appreciate that!
Great video explaining the ins and outs of what it takes to start selling cutting boards. Totally agree with etsy being the wrong place to start selling your work. It is so over saturated that it would be a brutal place to start. I have 2 friends here locally that that do really well selling cutting boards to the local market. Word of mouth, friends and family and local venues work great for them. I really appreciate the shout-out buddy!
You bet, Kris! Love seeing small businesses being born and succeeding!
Your videos on RUclips Kris are incredible! What a story and fanily!
Pretty much spot on. I started making cutting boards when the pandemic began. Just a way to make money while my work was closed. $5000 in tools and 15 months later I am back at my regular job and constantly have orders coming in as well. It's tough as a one man operation and having a real full time job too. But you can make decent side money at it and if your boards are quality then business will come mostly by word of mouth
right on, the side hustle board maker is the most popular model
Thank you so much for including cost of labor. I see so many videos where they just deduct the cost of their materials from the sale price and say that's their profit. Your time, as a craftsman is worth money too.
20 years into woodworking and now I am being bombarded into making cutting boards. I made cutting boards one time and now everybody wants one. My mom has a big mouth....loll! excellent video Brad!
In the late 70's I turned a hobby into a business, video production. By the early 90's I was working two full time jobs, had employees ,and no longer enjoyed video production. I sold the business to my employees. I stayed at my original profession and retired. Now have been a woodworker for many years. Great info and I enjoyed your video. All your points are valid and true. Keep up the videos and good luck in your career.
Everything you said is everything I've gone through the last 5 years! This year is my year of actually making money after moving to a bigger shop and having enough space for the tools I need. Also making 2 boards at a time instead of just one because somebody always wants a copy 😁
lol my dad making 2 boards in stead of one at a time and that’s in he’s garage with medium grade tools:)
If you make 10 at a time you cut down the total labour cost through repetition surely?
Making 100 even more so, assuming you employ an apprentice or 2 to do the repetitive, labour intensive stuff.
With the profits you could employ skilled wood carvers to embellish your works, even personalise them for an extra fee...
I love that you laid out how to batch out products, I think that’s something a lot of folks miss out on.
Yep, gotta leverage time!
Pressed play, pressed like. started watching.
💪💪👍
I made an enormous end-grain hard maple board, for my wife. It was designed to use to serve roast beef at dinner parties, but she normally uses it for kneeding dough for noodles or bread, covering one end of the kitchen table.
Love your energy! I couldn’t stop watching ‘til the end because there were not dry spots. Nice job. Great tips. Many thanks!
Legend for shouting out Kris Devo. Great channel and he seems like just a super nice person.
I have not made/sold a cutting board yet but selling the custom board care products is genius! Love the channel Brad, keep it up!
Thanks!
I’m starting woodworking as hobby/side hustle and I started with wood coasters, I’m working on doing cutting boards, serving boards etc… these were great tips to consider planning on using my basement and converting it to a home shop!!
This is an amazing video. I echo Krisof's earlier feedback and want to add that I think all aspriring-entrepreneurs should watch this because cutting boards represent anything you could consider selling that involves creation of a physical object, especially handmade. I plan to show it to my daughter as one of those parent-kid life lessons on how business works....Thank you for the hard work you obviously put into creating it. Well done.
I started this "hobby" just before I retired from the Fire Department and the Army Reserves, about 2010. Really it was not a hobby at first. I needed to fix things around the house. It sorta of grew from that. I always like tools, it is a man thing I guess. This video gave me a reason and a means to pay for new cool tools. I have not found any local places to buy nice wood yet. I don't think I make things well enough to sell, even thou people who have seen my stuff ask for me to make them one. Your business concept seems to be almost right out the "book". This was a really good video. Thanks Will Williams
learning to be more efficient! Getting much better now. I'm still new to this.
keep at it!
As a hobbiest woodworker looking to get a little more serious, I appreciate the inight you gave; thanks for sharing!
Great video, Brad! Though I really enjoy the regular videos, I really dig this style of content that teaches the more business aspect of woodworking.
thanks!
Thank you very much for this video.
Your open and honest manner is just great.
You talk openly about your own business model and encourage others to give their woodwork a try. Thank you for all of these tips and suggestions. Please keep it up.
Best regards from Hamburg, Germany
Thanks for the great tips. I have yet to make one and have never tried doing sales and this kind of information is what a beginner like myself needs
Glad to hear that, exactly what I was looking to do
I recently started surfacing my end grain boards with my Cnc. Saves a ton of time and gets both sides perfectly flat versus drum sander.
yes, surfacing with a CNC is a great way to save time too! Let the machine do the work
@@Fixthisbuildthat Then you need to factor in the cost of electricity as the CNC can't do the entire side in one go, plus the wear and tear on the CNC and CNC consumables, probably no real difference in the end, maybe the CNC cost more to run but may save a little time.
Love these videos. Simply put with lots of information. Things you can do with a modest shop.
Now I can make my own. I needed this
Made my first cutting board last year as a secret Santa gift for a coworker. Ended up being 2 boards, over shot how much wood I would need. Made an inverted chevron pattern with walnut, yellow-heart, and paduk. Legitimately, the most colorful project I ever made to date and I absolutely nailed it on my first try! Took me about a month to do it right. Unfortunately, said coworker was out sick during the exchange, and I didn't get to see her reaction. It wasn't hard to figure out I was her secret Santa, so she did tell me she loved it, though she did not want to use it over fear of ruining the design.
I feel like I have a degree in cutting board sales now! Great video Brad. Also timely since I sold my first couple boards this year so this is helpful. Definitely a lot of fun to make and sell.
Awesome, Rory! Hope the tips helped
the dude kris is a cutting board boss. I've watched his process many times and thought that's how I'm gonna do it but making long boards then cutting to size. :) Thanks for the breakdown.
Yeah, he's got it down pat! Awesome to see his journey
This is a brilliant video summarizing marketing techniques/sales. It should be in the curriculum of BA and MBAs!
I sell them at craft fairs, haven’t had luck online. Quite frankly i don’t charge enough, mine are incredibly involved and unique and until I saw your video im not taking all the work that I put into them into consideration. Thanks for your video, great tips and info
Everything about this video was fantastic. I think the concepts can be applied to any home business and they were very well explained. Thank you.
I have sold several large cutting boards designed to fit over burners in RVs and Travel Trailers which are all short of counter space.
Chris Devos is actually the person I watched, and between him and Davis and Jenny, is the reason why I got into buying my lumber in bulk. I don't plan on making one or two boards as gifts, but rather hundreds of boards to offer for sale. At this typing, I now have over 3,000 board feet of lumber ready to go, have added both a large drum sander, a new planer, and an edge sander to my shop. I run two very successful businesses now, but they are both mostly seasonal, so I am training my employees how to keep all three running efficiently, and keep them employed year around.
This is most definitely the best and most informative video I have ever come across. Not just with cutting boards but with information in general on selling your products!!
Those are all amazing tips! Is it weird I still haven't made a cutting board yet? Now I really want to, even if we only make them as gifts.
You gotta make one now! 😀
Loved the video as always. I really like these business-centric videos.
Glad you like them!
Thanks so much for the information and about the on the cutting board. I’m so to see you guys make them I’m planning of doing some myself.
Hello from 🇨🇦 , big fan of yours and you really had some excellent tips . Thanks for all your time spent making this informative video.
Well done, you addressed the key issues and explained them clearly, thanks. And I love Kris Devo's videos!!
Thanks for the info! Honestly not too interested in cutting boards specifically (mostly because of how saturated the market seems!), but I really liked the format of this video and thought all the tips were excellent and certainly applicable to more than just cutting boards. Thanks again!
You, bet!
Brad, Thank you for all your advice for this New-by . All your info is very helpful.
Thankyou. As a beginner woodworker this is very informative, helpful.
Definitely an easy way to make money and easy build if you’re just starting out and can make them more intricate as you get more experienced. Thanks for sharing the tips as the goal is to always inspire others! 👍🏼
You're welcome!
Great tips in this video! Thanks for sharing, Brad!
Thanks, guys! I know y’all are living that life right now
Great explanations. Nicely covered. Thank you
Whew! You packed an hour's worth of video into 33 minutes. Good job man, very helpful.
Excellent work on the video, Brad! Keep it up!
Thanks, will do!
thanks great vid. I've been making some cutting boards & Charcuterie boards. Cheaper to buy hardwood than a 2 x 4.
yeah, hardwood prices haven't gone up more than 10 or 20% here vs 100%+ on 2x4s
Definitely helpful and would love more videos with this sort of advice as I am about to launch my business soon and I am always always ALWAYS keen for more knowledge and tips. Thank you.
thx for the feedback!
That's hilarious you mentioned that. I bought a 70s style one from the thrift store for $4. Love it.
Good video answered a lot of questions I had reguarding priceing and time required, thank you
great info we are just getting into cutting boards and thanks for the comment about end grain and planers we started of well as we have lots of native new zealand hard wood we got for free so initial costs have been planer and sanders plus oils but what you have said has made me rethink pricing so we can actually get a good profit/cost ratio thanks again from allan and jnr
Thank you for the information. Very detailed and answered a lot of questions I did not realize that I had!.
glad to help!
Thanks for the video. Some good food for thought.
you're welcome
Note: if you make "board butter" to sell, make sure you source *food safe* ingredients.
Great tips Brad, awesome instruction too
Great advice! Thanks Brad.
you bet, Bronk!
Thanks for honoring our epoxy with your family name!
I know it's in good hands!
This is really a great video. Thank you for making it!
Fantastic, Brad! Thanks a lot for all the tips!!! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
My pleasure!
Great great great video for starting businesses.
If you batch and always keep a bunch at hand, it works really well for the "word of mouth" type sales. I personally do not make any cutting boards other than end grain boards. People who specifically want end grain boards know what they're looking for and are willing to pay for it.
good way to think about it
Looks like someone took a biz class or two at UT. Great info that many people on RUclips can use and hopefully apply the same concepts to any/all business. There is a young, married couple on RUclips (I don’t want to mention them by name) who try to sell their “expertise” about selling woodworking products and they are a complete joke. Snake-oil salesmen in my opinion. Yet too many people believe that they have expertise. They should watch this video and see how it’ should be done. Good work Brad.
I think I know which one your talking about. There are a couple of more on YT that think they are super woodworkers & try to preach how to's, which they couldn't build a simple dog house.
they can't make anything unless its pocket holes.
JD.
@@aslacker Exactly
I have a masters in business from UC (Cincinnati) and I always like to share the business aspect of things when I talk with people. Too many folks just think they will sell something for $100 and that they "made $100". If you're not evaluating the full profit and loss statement then you don't have a full picture of the business!
I’m always looking for ways to make money. This video has been extremely helpful. Well put together, very informative on all levels. I accidentally stumbled into it while looking for different ways to make a cribbage board / template and real glad I checked it out. Thanks for the info. I will be giving it a shot. PS. Would love to see more.
Great and timely video. Thanks!
G'day from Australia awesome work thanks for the advice much appreciated I've been making and selling my cutting boards plus a few other pieces for a short time and your advice will be taken on board no pun intended haha but your advice given will be used cheers mate and keep up the good work
awesome! Good luck!
That's really nice job keeping it up.
Oh great. Now you just told your 1.21 MILLION subscribers how to make money selling cutting boards so my competition just quadrilliondrupled. JUST JOKING. Great advice and thanks for sharing!!
Hahaha 👍
Outstanding Video!! Thanks!
You’re welcome 👍
You can run end grain through a planer. Take a little bit off at a time, no big bites. Good video👍
This was a great video, beginning to end. Pricing is always a challenge for novices and you covered very well. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing, great information
Tons of great info in this video!! I recently got a drum sander and it really handles the end grain like a dream! I've had some stuff posted on facebook marketplace for months and haven't sold a thing :( It really is harder than it looks.
Yup, you gotta be on the offensive to sell well and rise above competition
Nice shout-out to Kris 💪🏾 great video!
Excellent video!
Would love to see a more detailed video on the "Diamondback" board.
Great video. If only there was a podcast on this... 🙂
😜 I didn't push MFP just so I wouldn't have to answer all the questions about when we are coming back :)
@@Fixthisbuildthat lol - just know we’re eagerly awaiting the next podcast.
Brilliant. Thank you.
Well, now its off to find a 1970s vintage crockpot! Lol. Great video!
The Rodriguez's -> The Rodriguezes
Apostrophes are for possession, not pluralization.
I was stating that it's our serving board 😜
Get rekt paul
Yeah paul
@@Fixthisbuildthat If that's the case (it doesn't appear that way with the addition of "est 2006") then you would want to first make it plural (Rodriguezes) and then make it possessive (Rodriguezes'). All of the various rules of grammar and punctuation are difficult, I know, but they are crucial, especially when customizing a piece for a customer or as a gift.
You used to be my 'go to' for woodworking videos but once you said Mountain Dew I am second-guessing this. LOL! HAHAHAHA!!!!! Kidding!
Blocked 😂😂
Great video very informative and inspiring. 👍👍
Yeah, I don't like spending time on cutting boards. I just do face or edge grain unless a client specifically wants an end grain board. This is just my side gig, so I don't mind if I don't get a huge amount of orders. I also live in the SF Bay Area, where people have a stupid amount of money and like to impulse buy. I try to sell at events that involve alcohol as much as I can ;)
I make juice grooves with my CNC and don't offer handholds. I just chamfer the bottom half.
Also, a laser is way cheaper for customization, compared to a CNC.
Also, S3S is worth the minor extra cost. I bought rough recently and yeah u spend way more time planing and crap.
MWA Woodworks has a great video about the cutting board conditioner, highly recommend watching
yep, Matt and I both started selling at the same time. He was doing a lot of business there for a while
If your smaller less expensive one's aren't selling, rout some small cavities and call them catchall's. (At a slightly higher price.)
great suggestion!
Great video. Thank you!!!!
Love how my cutting board listing showed up in your page 1 search for cutting boards on Etsy! 🥳😂
Great video. Love the build videos but this was great content!
Love this video and thank you for the tips
Thanks for the good info
you're welcome!
rgeat video, very informative... most folks don't realize the overhead
yep, sneaks up on your if you aren't accounting for it
I learn a lot from your videos! Can you please share your favorite wood suppliers in Nashville? I want to make a pantry and the local big box stores have terrible quality. Thank you!
Man you hit the nail on the head from so many angles. The first cutting board I made was under three quarter inch thick I think and I was so proud. It looks great but I get what you're saying on thickness and being able to sell it for more. What oil recommendations for a drum sander on a small scale and affordable? I have a planer but not a drum sander
I'd get a used 16-32 or 18-36 from either JET or SuperMax
Love the Mountain Dew joke! Hahaha!
great video thank you
Great video with great ideas! Thank you!
You're awesome very informative thank you
Right on man
Great info thank you
This kinda motivates me to get back on esty. Only sold maybe 5 cutting boards on there but that still was a grand of revenue. I just hate esty and selling online. But can't really get past that.
It's great that you got sales though! Were you making higher end cutting boards?
I learned so much on this one