Hi guys - new to the forum but I'd love to pick your brains on how you all got started with your woodworking business? I've built a business in plumbing but as I near retirement, I'm looking forward to branching out and learning new things. Any advice would be appreciated!

Your first thought is to start a woodworking business based on no skills in woodworking?

Been thinking about this more. A woodworking startup would be as good as of a way for you to spend a nice chunk of your retirement savings as any. Might as well go for it!!!!

What's your budget?

How to make a million in woodworking? Start with two milliion with no experience!

Dont try and make money at it and dont try and start a 'business". Keep it as a hobby and have fun with it. There are short and long term classes in schools across the country you can look into. Just keep in mind that the majority of those teaching don't know how to make living at it.

Tim i think it's great that you want to start a business. i was a pipe welder for 30 years. Started a cabinet shop at the age of 52 and haven't regrated it I was able to take the experience and the level head i learned and create a successful business of my own. That being said we aren't woodworkers we are machinery feeders. cnc router edge bander rip saw automated spray machine widebelt sander shape and sand foiler ect. it will be difficult to make a living with a table saw and jointer . I'm guessing part time after expenses about 650 to 700 a week on average after you learn the trade. old age slows us down so thats a factor. but if you enjoy going to work every day, it's worth it at the age of 66 i still can't get my shoes on and head out the door in the morning fast enough.

Actually at retirement age, we only consider woodworking as a hobby. However, it cannot be denied if you really want to do real wood business.

The 1st barrier to learning anything, especially woodworking, is finding out that you don't know it. I mean get a job in a good cabinetshop, learn. Then learn about building an organization albeit a small one.

If you try to wear all the hats you will get old before your time

The purpose of a business is to serve a need in the market place it is not about you or making money (this is where a heated argument starts)

This meme says a lot

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Tons of it depends solely on what you intend to produce, and what your marketing capacity is. You can look at dingbats like Blacktail that are way smarter than the bulk of us here and has created an empire making insanely expensive, social media driven, work and is likely a wealthy individual with sponsorship money and a self supporting business where he doesnt even really have to produce real "work" anymore. Or you can look at a woodworking business as churning out production work and building a larger business that will either sustain itself or just reward you with some minimal income but the reward of doing something you hopefully enjoy.

There is a mile of in-between woven in there that you can land on and a pretty fair bit of grief as well. Its all a mindset and having clear and realistic goals of first what you need, second what you can produce, and last, what you want.

In my opinon now, unless your the unique individual that can be constantly "producing content" you need to be a masterful innovator and marketer via social media if you cant lock down a serious niche.

It's great to hear about your interest in starting a woodworking business. Transitioning from plumbing to woodworking can be exciting and rewarding. My advice would be to start by honing your woodworking skills through practice and learning from experienced woodworkers. Additionally, networking with professionals in the woodworking industry and researching market trends can help you identify opportunities and develop a successful business plan. Best of luck on your new woodworking journey!