Small Business Spotlight : Wood For Good

One the random days that I have a few minutes to myself, and just happen to be near a high end furniture shop I love browsing and dreaming, where I would put these things and how it would stage my home with them. The issue comes into play when I realize all the things I want add up to a very pretty pricetag, the kind that would make my husband sick to his stomach, and leave me back to my dreaming self wishing for all of those gorgeous pieces of furniture. Then Wood for Good was launched and already I am obsessed with the shabby chic, and totally customizable items I am seeing produced by this wood crafting business. Thankfully I am friends with the owners/designers so i can show them all of my ideas, and well if truth be told change my ideas almost daily. What even better is that a portion of my purchase price is paying it forward and being given to a different cause each month!

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1.) Tell us a bit about yourself, and your family.

My name is Johnathan West. I’m originally from Texas, met my wife Brittany, in college at WVU and then we moved to Pasadena (her hometown) after graduation. We currently have 3 children, ages 5, 3 and 6 months.

2) Tell us how Wood for Good came to be? We just went through the adoption process to bring home our baby girl. Throughout the journey we were blessed over and over again by the kindness of others, sometimes even strangers. Every single time someone would give to our cause, we were equally amazed at how selfless people can be. We were moved by what can happen when many people get together to do what they can, and the big impact it can have.

During that time it became our desire to create a quality handmade product that could allow us to bless others as well.

3) What type of products and services will you be offering?

Products that we will be shipping will be a variety of custom, personalized gift items. Everything from cutting boards & coasters to rolling pins and a variety of other unique things are in the works, as our product line evolves over time. All items are engraved for a personalized touch.

Locally, we’re making and selling larger wooden items for the home. Our hope is that if there is a wooden piece on someone’s wish list, large or small, they’d contact us 1st before going to a bigger store. We’d love to talk about how we can make it happen, and create a quality, locally handcrafted piece they can feel good about purchasing.

4) What has been the most rewarding part of starting up this new biz?

Right now, the most rewarding part is getting up every day and knowing that I am working for myself. This business has allowed me to spend a lot more time with my family and I’m grateful for that. Since earning my MBA last year, self employment has been a dream of mine, and now that we’re making it happen it’s even more rewarding than I thought.

Once we’re able to send our first check to one of our chosen causes, I imagine that will be the most rewarding part of all. Being able to bless others financially, through the sale of things I’m creating, is a goal I’m really excited about achieving!

5) Back story?

I won awards in high school for my art, designs and drawings but I had kind of pushed that side of myself to the back burner when I chose to go to college for athletics instead. This business has allowed me to tap back into my creative side, I’d almost forgotten I have. It’s been a great outlet for me, to get back to making things with my hands.

6) What is it that drives your passion in this business?

Being able to take something from just an idea to a finished tangible product, and then knowing that product may be a part of someone’s home and life for years to come is very fulfilling. Knowing that the sale of those products is also providing a way for us to give back to others, to pay all the good that’s come our way forward, makes it even better!

7) If I ran into you on a Saturday afternoon what would you be doing?

Right now? Probably working in my wood shop. When you first start a business, especially one that becomes a full time venture over night, you have to practically eat, sleep and breath whatever it is that you’re doing & that’s exactly where we’re at.

Outside of that we like to take road trips to visit family, camp and take the kids to the park. Spending time together as a family is high on our priority list.

8) Tell us what causes or charity’s are on the horizon for WFG to donate too, and what cause is this month?

Our first cause is the Annapolis Pregnancy Clinic. They encourage women to choose life for their babies, and that’s a cause that is very close to our hearts right now. Following our adoption, it seemed like a natural choice for them to be 1st on the list.

As far as causes to come, we aren’t exactly sure yet and that’s what we love about it. We’re going to do both local causes and also ones with a farther reach. We love the freedom in getting to choose what’s on our hearts at the moment. One month it may be a local non profit like the Pregnancy Clinic, another month it might be someone’s adoption fund, and the next we could be contributing to building a well in Africa. The possibilities of causes we can impact are great and we are excited about getting to make a difference… even if just a small one, to many.

9) Give us some at home tips for wood care, and preservation of hand crafted products.

Mineral Oil is the secret to preserving all your wooden kitchen items. In order to keep them food safe these products aren’t sealed in the same way other products are. If you pick up some cheap generic mineral oil from your local grocery or drug store and apply it every so often, you will keep your products beautiful and lasting much longer than those that go without!