Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Allen
Jacob, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Branch Out Woodworking is exactly what the name implies! My entire life I have been a person that isn’t afraid to take on new endeavors, regardless of my experience level. Hence the name Branch Out, and well of course the woodworking.
I have always taken pride in seeing a project from conception to the final product. However, I didn’t have much experience in the woodworking domain. It was daunting at the start with so many different tools and techniques, not only to make something correctly but more importantly, safely! So I decided the only way to get started was to dive in, and that’s exactly what I did! As I acquired more tools, I shifted from making things for myself to building pieces to sell. While I enjoyed this, it wasn’t quite fulfilling. I wanted people to have the opportunity to be creative themselves, rather than simply making a product to sell. That’s when I shifted focus from building to supplying!
In May of 2024, I purchased a portable sawmill. This enabled me to take logs that would have otherwise been burned or mulched and transform them into beautiful live edge slabs. With over 20 active tree removal companies in the Jacksonville area, I knew there was a decent supply of logs. Over time, I started to build an inventory of slabs of varying species, from spalted maple to eastern red cedar. Things were going well, and clients were building all sorts of projects with my slabs to include dockside bar tops to small cutting boards. I was grateful to offer that to the Jacksonville community, however I knew I could offer even more.
In July, I invested in a CNC which allowed me to take designs from my computer and carve them into various materials. This was a challenging learning curve that I am still climbing every day to improve my skill set and offer high-quality products.
Along the way, I formed Branch Out Woodworking into an official LLC with the intent to offer three services; live edge slabs, custom products to include CNC work and epoxy work, and storm debris cleanup.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Woodworking inherently has its challenges. I have been fortunate enough to acquire tools and equipment that have made the process more efficient. For example, one eight-foot live oak log can weigh upwards of 1000 lbs or more! Figuring out how to move something of that size and transport it to the workshop was difficult, but not impossible. With assistance from friends in the area, I was able to make it happen.
This is just one of many obstacles that I have faced, but that’s a good thing. If the whole process what simple, I would never have the chance to make mistakes. Mistakes are learning opportunities. I am a firm believer that there is only one true failure, and that is when safety is compromised.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Having served in the Navy, I learned a lot about myself and how to build positive relationships. One of the biggest lessons I learned about myself is what brings me the most happiness. I obtain that very happiness through helping others and seeing them succeed.
What sets Branch Out Woodworking about is that it is more than a place to buy wood. It is a place that someone can come to for advice on a project, learn new techniques, and build lasting connections. I’m not out to rob anyone of their money. I want to see how they can take limitless creativity and implement it into a physical piece of art.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Branch Out Woodworking was founded following the COVID-19 Crisis. I have no further comment on this question.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.branchoutww.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchoutww
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/branchoutww
