Finding the Right Fit for Your Woodshop: My Journey in Recruiting a Salesperson
So, I was sitting there one Saturday morning, cup of coffee in hand, feeling a bit lost, to be honest. You know that heavy feeling when you realize you’ve got too much on your plate? That was me. I had just finished up a big job—a set of custom kitchen cabinets made from reclaimed oak that made my garage smell like heaven. I could still hear the whir of my table saw in my head and feel the smoothness of the wood under my fingers. But there I was, up to my ears in work, and I knew I needed help.
You know, recruiting a salesperson for custom woodworking and millwork isn’t just finding someone who can talk a good game. No, it’s way more complicated than that. I mean, you want someone who gets excited not just about the final product, but about picking out the perfect walnut or figuring out how to make an armoire pop, right? I didn’t want just any Sally or Joe; I wanted someone who understood the art and the craftsmanship of what we were building.
The First Hurdle
My first instinct was to throw up some online job postings, but deep down, I wasn’t really feeling it. Something about posting on an app just didn’t sit right. After scouring Craigslist and local forums, I ended up with a pile of resumes that looked like they were pulled from a printer that hadn’t seen ink in a decade. Seriously, there were more typos and bad formatting than I could count. I almost gave up that day. I could practically hear my mom saying, “What’s wrong with you? You’re a carpenter, not a recruiter!” She meant well; bless her heart.
But then—and this is the part where it could’ve gone south—I decided to reach out to a local woodworking group on Facebook. I figured, if there’s any place to find someone who appreciates fine woodwork, it’s local woodworkers. Plus, I thought, getting out in the community is never a bad idea.
The Unexpected Connection
Fast forward a few days, and I had a message from a guy named Derek. He said he had experience in sales and, more importantly, an absolute love for woodworking. He wanted to grab a coffee and talk about what I was looking for. Now, I’ll admit that my first thought was “This could be a great fit,” tempered with a healthy dose of skepticism. It’s all too easy to talk a good game, you know?
We met up at this coffee shop that has the best homemade blueberry muffins. I remember him laughing when I asked him about his favorite type of wood. He said, “You had me at walnut!” There was an energy there, a passion that felt genuine. As we chatted about the different projects I had lined up, I began to relax—this wasn’t just some salesman looking to hit a quota; this was a dude who really cared about what went into his craft.
The Messy Reality
But oh boy, did I make some mistakes along the way. I thought, “Well, Derek’s got the skills; he’ll know how to pitch our projects.” Wrong. The first few weeks, he really struggled to connect with clients. I’d watch him stumble through descriptions of a custom mantle or a dining table that I had hand-selected each piece of wood for. It was awkward. There I was, literally clenching my coffee cup as I waited for customers to respond.
I almost gave up on him after a particularly rough sales call. We’re talking cringeworthy. I thought about just letting him go and picking up the phone myself, but then I remembered how much I hated the idea of micromanaging anyone. So I took a breath. I pulled Derek aside and told him we needed to work on the pitch together.
A New Approach
I scheduled some time in the shop. We started going over the real details of projects, breaking down not just what they were, but why they mattered. I’d show him how to choose the right pieces, demonstrating the differences in grain and color. We spent hours just getting lost in the beauty of good wood. And then, you know what? Something clicked.
One day, as we were prepping for a showcase of our work, I stood there, still amazed at the transformation in him. He was explaining a hand-carved detailing on a cherry wood side table to a potential client, and I forgot I was just watching. He was flowing, talking about the rich tones of the wood and how each piece has its own story. It was like flipping a switch; I couldn’t have been prouder.
Wrapping It Up
All said and done, hiring a salesperson for a custom woodworking and millwork business isn’t just about filling a spot; it’s about finding the right person to translate the passion and artistry behind each project into something someone else can get excited about, too.
If you’re thinking about trying this whole thing of recruiting, just go for it. Don’t be afraid to stumble through it. Sure, I made mistakes, but I also found someone who embodies what I love about woodworking. And while it’s been messy at times, the growth has been beautiful. So, maybe take a coffee and chat with some folks in your community? You never know where it might lead.
