5 Tips as a new business owner // woodworking //

[@voiceofintelligence]

On a project like a small sign, where a significant amount of the work might be done on the CNC router, do you charge the same for machine time as for labor time?

[@TwoMooseDesign]

voiceofintelligence on cnc projects I actually charge more and it is based on carve time for the most part. It takes skill to learn the machine and not everyone has a machine so I’m charging extra based on those factors. The same goes for if I incorporate welding into a build, not everyone has that skill or a welder making it more valuable. For instance we sell catch all trays and I roughly charge $100 a hour so if it takes 30 minutes to carve it I’ll charge around $50 depending how well they sell and how much competition there is but that’s essentially my starting point. Then it normally doesn’t take me long to finish a Cnc project, few minutes of sanding, and few minutes to apply a simple finish. If it had a bunch of detail painting that also factored in. Some of our trays take 20 minutes to carve and 5 minutes to finish and I’ll charge $75 because they sell well. Hope that makes sense 😬 If your your struggling with pricing I would look at your competition on Etsy and facebook and start from there and adjust accordingly

[@voiceofintelligence]

@@TwoMooseDesign Good to know. I'm expecting my Onefinity in October, and I'm hoping to start a business to accelerate my retirement. Love your videos. Thanks.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

voiceofintelligence heck yeah! Good luck! A Cnc opens a lot of doors you couldn’t access before

[@ricknutz7139]

Going off topic here. Love you add your animals in your posts! How did you come up with the name Two Moose? Thanks for the great videos!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Rick Nutz thanks! We each had a dog named moose when we met! So we have a big moose and a little moose and coined it knot two moose design!

[@KKmagnolia_runner]

Great advice about the accountant. I’m a CPA who specializes in small businesses while getting into woodworking. Also spot on as far as quitting a day job. Health insurance is one huge obstacle for small businesses owners.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

It’s such a huge help, business is stressful enough. Having your books all out of wack at the end of the year would be a nightmare let alone nothing prepared. Thanks for watching!

[@danielezzell9642]

Someone told me the other day "It takes 10 years to become an overnight success". That was hard-hitting and super real for me! I follow you guys on Instagram and love your products!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Daniel Ezzell I totally agree with that statement! Thanks we appreciate it 😁

[@virgilholmes6688]

Great advice. I owned an environmental consulting business for several years. I charged what seemed like a ridiculously high rate of $150 per hour and had more work than we could do. Absolutely charge what your product is worth. Now thinking about woodworking and greatly appreciate your willingness to share your experiences. I hope your business continues to be a success.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks I appreciate you checking it out! And it’s definitely hard transition charging prices you could never imagine paying! Lol

[@chiparooo]

A good accountant is money in the bank. Thanks for sharing!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

its totally overlooked especially by new people. I tried to do it on my own for most of the first year and no way, so glad I caved in and actually found someone who knew what they were doing. Business is stressfull enough I dont need all that lol

[@johnagorman]

Worth watching just for the tip about using a Stopwatch to really understand your time. I fail in this too often. Thank you. Good call on not competing with hobbyists. Instead seeking customers that value your craft.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

thanks! we appreciate you checking out the video!😁

[@exelenc94]

This is Q U A L I T Y advice, essentially the situation I have been in for the past few weeks. That transition is VERY real and for anyone pondering the idea, a piece of paper, a pen and making a list daily will help keep you focused and motivated but you must still be realistic about it. If you really need motivation once you get the ball rolling go on google and print out a bunch of pictures of things you really want in your life and make a collage and look at that every morning and ask yourself "how can I get there" . I can also relate with the shipping. My latest sale was shipped out to italy (from Canada) and the buyer payed almost double the item value to have it shipped.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Totally agree! And same we send stuff to the UK and Australia and people will pay the same in shipping as the item!

[@dairybarnwoodworking215]

😂 the first end table I shipped broke to. Same story. Lady was super nice and fixed it and I gave her a discount. Funny how similar our first sales were.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

😆 that’s awesome lol could have been worse!

[@kevinswoodkraft8539]

This is 100% the video I have been looking for!! Just yesterday I myself left H&R Block for a " small business consultation," and they gave me pre- printed booklets and I left just as confused as I was going in...... The info you guys covered in your video helps more than you know, thanks so much!!!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

hahah yeah thats exactly how we felt! zero help at all.....if you have any other business owner friends ask them who handles their taxes, possibly reach out some other local full time woodworkers as well. Otherwise google can always help lol Thanks for watching!

[@kevinswoodkraft8539]

@@TwoMooseDesign Thanks so much for the tips guys! I follow you on Instagram, didn't know you had a KZbin channel too!! Just subscribed!!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

@@kevinswoodkraft8539 thanks! We appreciate you following along 😁👊🏼

[@jennifernesbitt7866]

The H&R Block ad while watching this was *chefs kiss* 😂

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Lmao that’s hilarious

[@andrewbrown8148]

Great advice video, J & J~! I've been a woodworker for many years (30+) and I'm looking to try my hand at the business end of it as I approach retirement (again) in just under 2 years (from my after-Army job). I would be very interested in a video from y'all regarding pricing your work. Over the years, I've been building shadow boxes for my retiring Soldiers (and Airmen, Sailors, & Marines) and I charged for basically the cost of materials to the command requesting the case. I saw honoring the retirees and improving my craft as the overarching gain from doing this. Now, as I view it from a business end, that model won't work if I'm looking to supplement a retirement income. I've seen a few videos from others about pricing work, but nobody seems to want to take it head on. I know there are so many variables, but I would think there would have to be some basic principles. You made good points in this video, but I'd love to hear more. Don't know how many others out there are interested as well, but this is me sticking my hand up. 🙂 Thanks much~!!

[@goodscustomfurniture]

Thank you for all your good advice. You two are going to go far. Keep up the great work.

[@norm1124]

Thanks for the honest insight into "the questions nobody speaks about" (especially here in Switzerland, money is a "no-speak") ♥️♥️

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Glad to share! Thanks for watching 😁

[@michaelweaver6181]

Thank you guys for the good tips. My wife and I are just getting started with our wood working business. Been taking it slow. Actually started back in the summer. We have a good start on tools and equipment thankfully......Would love to hear Jess sing lol. Thanks again, take care.

[@rickbyrne3669]

Loved this video and love what you are doing, thanks guys. I started my own joinery business in the UK at the start of October, after getting made redundant due to Covid cuts...all going well on my own until I got Coronavirus at the start of November! Still not back to work but hoping to be on it soon! I’ll definitely be using your stopwatch tip! Keep up the great work! Rick

[@TwoMooseDesign]

ugh sorry to hear that Rick! We wish you the best of luck! and thanks for checking out our video 😁

[@toddm9957]

I appreciate your advice, i have a cnc trying to get to the point of quitting my job or retire and work from home for now most everything I do is word of mouth

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Heck yeah! That’s awesome you can do it! Be patient and keep working hard 👊🏼 try out Etsy shipping opens up a whole new world

[@toddm9957]

I actually tried etsy the problem i found was its flooded with similar items but i haven't seen things that I do yet

[@ryanmctee5725]

Great video! Thanks for putting it out there. My wife and I are trying to get started with online sales of our woodworking, and have found you guys to be genuine, and a good source of info. Thanks again!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks we appreciate it! Good luck on your journey 😁

[@FushigiMigi]

Thank you for this video. Very realistic and motivating for that reason.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@rabwilson6974]

Great video guys! The part about money was the topic that I related to the most. I grew up with not much money. I'm also the guy who days "I'm not paying that for that, I'll just build it myself" The other part was the price points. I've had people say I'm too expensive. The pricing for a certain demographic is brilliant! I never thought of it that way. Again, great vid! Ps sorry for the rambling, I have only been awake for half an hour... And half a cup of tea lol not fully awake😴

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks! And heck yeah charge what you’re worth! 🙌🏼 We appreciate you watching 😁😁

[@robsandstrom9854]

Good video and insights Jeff and Jess. After "binge watching" your videos last couple days feel like I am getting to know you better. Respect the quality your put into your videos and thinking through what may add value for those of us watching. I would like to start a small business (side hustle so to speak) to help pay the woodworking/maker addiction I picked up as I am transitioning into retirement (LOL). I do have it better than folks that need to be able to put food on the table and pay the bills, but I have to be careful that in the name of starting a business I don't suck the money away I have saved to do that. It would be way so easy. i will keep in mind your tips, especially the tip to get paid what your time is worth. Keep the good videos coming.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Rob Sandstrom thanks for watching our channel! That means a lot! The best advice I can give is just start. Soooo many people over think it and want everything to be perfect and it never will. Get started and mess up a bunch and learn what you enjoy making, or even what sells the best and go from there. If you make small stuff definitely post it online to sell, it opens you up to the whole world. Big builds too but those are more of a pain to ship and mess with when you first get the ball rolling. Just be smart with your money and only buy the tools you think you’ll need. We shifted gears many times and I’m glad I didn’t buy a ton of stuff right away. Buy it as you need it and make a ton of different things because odds are maybe 2 out of 10 ideas will actually take off and sell. Good luck 🙌🏼

[@matt5139]

Great tips guys, thanks for sharing

[@markprochaska6756]

Stopwatch is a GREAT idea. I started that a while ago too... It's humbling..

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Mark Prochaska totally agree...my estimates were way off when I started lol

[@duvuvuei]

Third time I’ve watched this. Great reminder to keep it real. Thanks!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks! I really appreciate it 😁

[@GyWO10]

Great tips for a newbie like me!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks! Best of luck!

[@CoffeyCustomBuilds]

Very good information in here!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks for checking it out!Glad it was helpful!

[@mikededmon]

This was SUCH good information. Thanks for sharing. And, I LOVE Jeff's shirt and both of your tattoos. So, cool. Keep up the great work!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks! We appreciate it 😁 Lizzie from the house of timber sells them you can find her on Instagram 🙌🏼

[@ilyanaa.rodriguez2522]

Awesome tips! My husband and I are on our first year and slowly getting more customers. We can relate to chaeging what our work is worth and learning how to say no. We hope to grow and learn more as the years pass.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Ilyana A. Rodriguez That’s awesome! We wish you the best of luck and absolutely that’s all you can really do, keep trying new things and focus on what works best! We’ve changed the business Multiple times because a certain item took off or an item we were focusing on just wasn’t that appealing to everyone else 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@kenmiller2869]

This is awesome. I am starting to get ready for my retirement but still want to stay active in life. I also want to make money to enjoy extras. I needed this. Saying no has always been hard for me because I like to help and make happy. I also know I have skills others don't so I try to share them. Its a conundrum for me. Thank you for sharing

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Same! I definitely struggled with saying no until I physically couldn’t handle anymore! You could always hire people but I like the small shop atmosphere and don’t want to complicate it unless I have to 😁 good luck!

[@joemartinson1826]

Great stuff guys!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

thanks! we appreciate it!

[@rgreenjw]

Great video, you both came across as super real. Keep up the great work.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks! We appreciate you checking it out 😁

[@nywoodworx]

Amazing tutorial guys, thank you for putting it out there ...... going to have to watch it a couple times 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@TwoMooseDesign]

NYWoodworX thanks for checking it out! We appreciate it 😁

[@SouthpawWoodwork]

I just had to say no to a customer this past week. Especially when it comes to most of my orders are made to order custom, and its a huge risk. However, sometimes the best thing you can do is say no and preserve your business!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

I agree! And mentally it’s important as well! You can only do so much

[@farshadbagheri]

Well done. Wish you lots of success in the future.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Farshad Bagheri thanks! Good luck to you as well

[@oscarstone8493]

Thanks for the video. It is very encouraging.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

oscar stone thank you! We appreciate you checking it out

[@DarkSpatch]

Thank you again for putting out great content.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Spatcholla thanks for checking it out we appreciate it 😁

[@ajaake]

Thank you , I really needed this

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Glad to share! 😁 it’s all about the journey and learning the ropes! It’s okay to get your butt whooped here and there. I still mess things up on a weekly basis

[@fredscott413]

thank you for this.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks for taking the time to watch it! 😁

[@MandrilSolo]

Great video folks! What CNC brand are you using on your projects ? Thank you and Happy Thanks Giving !! Samuel.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Hey! It’s a onefinity woodworker. Happy thanksgiving thanks for check out our channel 😁

[@nikolovell6064]

The stop watch method was an excellent idea. I always tell my wife “it’ll only take an hour”.... 3 hours later I get a text “how much longer?” 😅

[@TwoMooseDesign]

😆😆 every time!

[@DesignCraftWorkshop]

Great job guys! Amazing information 👍🏻

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thanks so much!

[@brittanyallen3193]

Any way y'all could do a video on weather or not your think putting the time and effort into making KZbin videos has been worth it for your business?

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Hey! It’s a different type of business. KZbin doesn’t convert to sales for us. KZbin does make money so in that sense it’s two separate businesses

[@heyimamaker]

12:45 This is so true, I'm a web developer and run across this all the time. Some people charge far too little for far too much work!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Yep! We left soooo much money on the table when we first started ☹️

[@heyimamaker]

@@TwoMooseDesign The other thing I get is, this only took you 30 min, why does it cost so much. Because I took the time and have the experience invested in the solution!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

@@heyimamaker exactly! Skills like web development or woodworking are developed in a few weeks

[@canneryrowantiquemall9392]

Mrs. Moose, Sounds like you are a fine singer from your brief vocalizations at the end of this video! Do you have a background in music? Cordially, Heidi

[@AusWorkshop]

Made it through

[@williamwallerstedt6191]

Thanks for sharing

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Glad to share! Thanks for checking it out.

[@anthonyegner1382]

great vidio

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Thank you

[@moosewerks6646]

Jess/Jeff, this is awesome! Great tips, would like to see more things like this. Subjects like Etsy, website, sponsors, and so much more. Thanks...Moose out!!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

thanks! we definitely plan on doing some videos around those topics!

[@haroldaubry8344]

Great job!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Harold Aubry thank you! 😊

[@BlackKnightArtisans]

Thank you both for this informative video! I am wondering, where do you purchase your lumber? Do you go through suppliers like Home Depot or other DIY retailers or do you work with lumber yards or other? Thank you so much!

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Black Knight Productions thanks for check it out! We get all of our lumber from local lumber mills. Big box store lumber is okay for starting out but lumber from lumber yards is far superior and very helpful. Most lumber at big box stores is for construction and not dried properly for furniture.

[@BlackKnightArtisans]

@@TwoMooseDesign Thanks for your quick reply 👍.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Black Knight Productions you’re welcome 😁

[@centralpennconstructionand607]

You guys inspired me to get a CNC router and run a part time business with it. I saw your etsy store and like your photos. What do you use for your product photos or do you completely outsource that? Also, do you have instructions on making the catch all tray in your previous video?

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Hey! Thanks for checking out our stuff! We use a cellphone for most product photos. We do not have an in-depth video on catch all trays yet but I’ll definitely make one eventually

[@centralpennconstructionand607]

@@TwoMooseDesign Thanks for the response! My router is coming next Monday, so the only other question that I have is for something like the catch all tray. Did you just design it or download plans for the router?

[@TwoMooseDesign]

@@centralpennconstructionand607 i buy them or find them online then alter them to look good when engraved

[@centralpennconstructionand607]

@@TwoMooseDesign Awesome! Thanks again. If you have the plan for that catch all tray, I'd happily pay for it, I really like that a lot. If not, I appreciate your time. Keep up the good work and thanks for replying to help out!

[@andrelevesque6300]

How do you get aroung the issue of Handmade when using a cnc machine. I get that all the time......they tell me .."your using a cnc" how is that handmade???

[@TwoMooseDesign]

You don’t 🤷🏼‍♂️ people will hate not matter what...CNCs require skills and most people who hate on them never even used one. I still have to design it, run the file successfully, hand sand it, apply finish by hand, and ship the item. Is using a hvlp to spray finish or using a table saw to cut lumber not hand made? It’s all perspective 🤷🏼‍♂️ Our clocks we sell are hand made. The letters are cut by the Cnc but still takes a ton of hand work to make it presentable. Don’t let people beat you down make a great product and it will sell!

[@doalex2085]

That was pretty informative thanks! I know the feeling about , Can you sell it to me for a cheaper price! I’m in to the leather craftsman side of products . Luckily I’m in a area where there are 4 locals in the construction trades that I sale to , that keeps me pretty busy! I turned my product’s around,

[@doalex2085]

Oops 😬 pushed the wrong button;! I turned my product line around, instead of making stuff that people want, I make stuff that people need, and WOW 🤩!!! That being said! If I was to make stuff that people want & need and put it out on Etsy or something, I’m sure my hobby would go busines. But I would be in my dungeon/ shop, 24-7 just not ready to retire yet lol! Thanks

[@makeit2132]

Thanks. is good to see more channels like this coming up in 2020. Honest feedback, dude...work a little on your expressions while she is taking. Is like you are is too focused on what to say next and doesn't seem like you are listening to her. It is just a bit distracting because it brakes the illusion of a conversation between you guys and the viewer

[@andreiasouza5063]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@jsavagery808]

where did you advertise your products?

[@TwoMooseDesign]

We sell them on our website and Etsy. Just google two moose design you should see both pages

[@davejsullivan]

Ahh. The angry customer! They are absolutely inevitable.

[@TwoMooseDesign]

Not matter what you will get a few lol

[@davejsullivan]

Mandatory overtime. Nope! Haha

[@TwoMooseDesign]

😆😆

[@gersonperez3781]

The fact that he never looks at her makes me nervous

[@TwoMooseDesign]

😆😆😆

[@TwoMooseDesign]

She told me to NOT look at her because it made her nervous soooooo....try making a KZbin video it’s not exactly easy to talk in camera. Thanks for the weird comment

[@piratehamza5980]

Hello, Friends Sent You A Message On The Instagram I Hope You Answer Me