I Quit My Job to Become a Woodworker | Dining Table Build
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- čas přidán 6. 06. 2021
- I build a modern oak dining table with and angled tapered base and recount the story and decisions that went into quitting my job in corporate America to become a full-time woodworker.
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End music "Migrating Birds" used with permission from Peter Winter.
Thanks for watching! - Jak na to + styl
I don’t know what I enjoyed more….watching the table come together or listening to your story. Best of luck to you.
I feel the same
Yeah both were great!
Awesome! Thank you!
Amen brother
There was a table?
Man this hit close to home. “ how can I tell my kids to chase their dreams when I’m not doing the same.” This has been my motivation to bet on myself.
That one hits hard.
This hit incredibly close to home for me. Young family and deep into the woodworking rabbit hole with big dreams that I somehow convince myself is too far out of reach. Well just last week my wife pushed me to post some projects and the orders have started. Your content is especially inspiring.
It's crazy how our wives can see more potential than we see. Good for you and keep it going!
@@MrMattWoodworks am also on this precipice with a big hit to my income coming on Jan 6, 4 days before going back to wor., You inspired me Matt, and I'm lucky to have a similar synchronicity with my wife. Im also still going to show this video to her coz I think shed love it too bud. Well done, keep it up :D
@@boydeeful Thanks and best of luck with your next chapter!
Thank you for sharing this journey that you are on. At 44 with 5 kids from 17-3 I find myself struggling with a job that breeds nothing in me but anger, anxiety and resentment in a career that I was planning on retiring from. However every minute I spend in my shop leads me to imagine designing and working there everyday with most of the reasons you mentioned. My 17yo is pursuing his dream after high school and I always tell him “Don’t wait until you’re my age to figure out what you want to do, because I still don’t know”. You’re last quote really hit me and I think it’s time to make the leap. Thanks again 🤙🏻
The struggle is real. Another thing to keep in mind is that time is still on your and your son's side. You or they may find something you guys love doing, but over time interests change. Don't judge yourself or feel locked in to any pursuit you make. Keep trying new things and never be scared to pivot. I wish you the best!
Awesome. I've been at a career I HATE for 35 years. "Soul crushing" is an understatement. Was just handed a pink slip and a severance package. Turning my 10x18 shed into a wood shop and I'm going for it.
Welcome to the dark side, my friend. Best of luck. You got this!
@@MrMattWoodworks Thanks for the encouragement!
Watching you build a table, listening how you changed your life.... Excuse me, I've got to go build a table.
Can't wait to see how it turns out!
2 years late, but congrats man! I believe I am in the middle of some big shifts myself. I went back to school in my 40s, met my wife, had a child, got a new career which allowed my wife to quit a job she didn't like. Now we're building her a social media presence on healthy cooking/living and she's writing children's books. And I find myself here learning about woodworking and wanting to move that direction for myself. All of it because of exactly what you said about setting the example for your kids on following their dreams!
I have a bachelor in chemistry and discovered woodworking while doing a master's degree (fell in love with it at the same time). That was 3 years ago. In January 2023, I decided I wanted to pursue my dream. I registered my company and I'm not yet at the point at which I can quit my job, but it's getting there!
Sounds great! No hurry and I without all the best!
Thank you so much for sharing your story! My wife and I cried watching your video. We are also aspiring woodworkers and DIYers who are looking to quit our corporate jobs to pursue our passion full time, and listening to your story hits close to home. Thank you for being an inspiration and we hope that you continue to grow and achieve everything you put your mind to!
You guys are too nice. Thank you so much, it means a lot. I wish you both well on your journey and can’t wait to see what you make!
Well done!! Jason - The 13th Craft
Thanks!
I started watching Norm Abraham's when I was 18 and thought, Man I'd love to do that... My father in law (Master Carpenter) told me I'd never be able to afford all the tools to do what Abraham's did. A squashed dream. I'm 53 now and have a shop. I build things for my home and for my new job to make my job easier. My Boss who is the Owner wants me to take over a Supervisors position at the end of 2023 which feels like the safe choice, but id really rather bet on myself. I see youtubers say they make 10 to 15k a month woodworking. I'm just not there yet. Thanks for the inspiration. I just need to change from Someday to This day.
Betting on yourself can be a hard decision. Making sure you’ve got a plan in place is crucial to make it work. Don’t let others plant seeds of negativity in your brain. It’s a marathon and not a sprint so don’t rush it. Lastly I hope to eventually be one of those CZcamsrs haha I’ve still got a ways to go for that reality.
New subscriber here!
Your story is inspirational. I hope that many who listen, take their own path. You should be proud of yourself and your decisions.
I have been traveling a 1.5-hour round trip for 35 years to a job I never liked. You do the math on that one! 😂
Now I'm close to retirement and look forward to getting out in my shop. Who knows, it may be a new chapter. If anyone is reading this, don't be afraid to take a chance at something you love. It's never too late.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge, talent, and story.
Thanks for sharing your story - " and I- I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost. I followed this and sold my startup in 2016.
That's quite the move! Bravo
As a 30 year vet in the construction management industry, your message was inspiring to get otr of the rat race. Best wishes to you and your family
Very….VERY well done. You have balls of steel.
Haha I try.
Hey dude, not sure how CZcams decided to push this video to me but I'm glad it did. Currently stuck in a cubicle job still watching Steve Ramsey videos and hacking away on the weekends. Happy to see any person pursuing their passion and can't wait to see more
Awesome and thank you! Steve is the man!
You are an inspiration. Your wife’s support is exceptional. Luckily, my wife supported my journey back in the late 70’s. I still work part time in my own shop. We’ve never been happier.
That is awesome!
you got me in the moment, had no truck, had no experience, had no materials, I was wondering what to do.... I said Yes lol
Haha it’s a tightrope walk with my logic sometimes.
Hats off to you!! I'm a stones throw away from retirement and plan on making my hobby woodworking business a full time (HA!) gig. My wife has just recently discovered the joy of working in the shop. She is flipping furniture and I build from scratch. The shop is hers on week days and mine on weekends. works so far.
I came across this video at the perfect time. I am literally about to take the leap. Just had a small shop built by my house and have a moderate budget for some tools.
I had a cancer diagnosis a couple of years back, and it was the catalyst that changed my course... life is precious and short... It's time to start doing something that enriches my journey instead of just marking the days until someone makes a wooden box for me.
This video really struck a chord with me on several levels, and you just got a new subscriber. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope you beat the hell out of it. Thank you for the kind words and support and I wish you all the best on this upcoming leap! Cant wait to see what kind of work you do.
@Mr. Matt Woodworks So far so good with the cancer. For now I'm going to concentrate on living! I may even start a channel for my woodworking career. =)
@@GazBadger Do it!
Great video...Thanks for sharing! Those kids are going to be so much better off being raised by family vs. daycare - there's no price for that one.
Im addicted to this kind of stories right now. Hope to be in your position some day!
Totally! Get a plan in place and make it happen!
I’ve been wanting to quit my job for months and after a terrible week I’m on the edge of just going for it and pursuing my dreams. This is the nudge I needed. Thank you!
Sure thing! Get that plan in place and then find a way to work it out.
@@MrMattWoodworks already done. I have savings and plenty of stuff to sell to begin my new adventure.
@@justin555666good on you bro get after it 🍻💪
Good luck to you, similar boat here. Huge risk but life has to be more than going somewhere every day and making someone else money.
@@30AndHatingIt Yeah life goes on! Been happy to be unemployed for a change.
Ive taken a pause from building my first ever workbench to go get my kids from school. Got there a few minutes early and CZcams randomly recommended this video. The quote about "how can i tell my children to follow their dreams if I'm not following my own" has just hit my incredibly hard. Thankyou for this wake-up call
Awesome! That quote keeps me going.
You remind me of Michael A. Singer: "The Surrender Experiment". Keep on, you're on a beautiful life path...
Thank you!
The universe conspired for me to see this video. Im on my path to woodworking as well.
Epic!
I've never heard of you or seen any of your videos before today. Subscribed. Don't quit.
I'm happy you found them! Thanks and will do!
Brutal I'm having flashbacks I know how hard it is to work in small areas .The work is really good and having an audience will give you a leg up .
Bigger spaces on the horizon. I’ll get there eventually haha.
"Comparison is the thief of joy"
I like that.
Absolutely the best video I recently have watched. Keep going!
Wow, thanks!
I keep clicking Like because I need to over and over again. I've just started my own woodworking projects around the Nashville metro area and I feel a deep passion rising within me around it. Your quotes were all familiar and I guide my own family in similar ways. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope we meet at a lumber store one day. Cheers.
Hey neighbor! Thank you so much! I’m sure our paths will cross at some point.
At 50 years old this video and more so your message has truly inspired me. Thank you Matt
It feels weird to say "you're welcome" by posting my story haha, but I'm humbled and glad it resonated with you and I wish you nothing but the best.
Sorry for the loss of your mom, I know how that feels. Good luck with the woodworking, I hope it pans out for ya.
Much appreciated.
Wow such an inspiration. I’m dealing with a similar situation: having a full time job in a Call Center but also running my small woodwork business. I hope the universe conspire for me and help me to make the same money I’m making in my full time job with my small business and one day quit and have my FREEDOM ❤
I’m hope it works out for you too! Remember it’s about overall happiness and not all about the money. Best of luck!
Just watched this a second time...this video made me realize I'd given up on my dreams somewhere throughout the years and didn't realize it. Thank you, sir.
It can be tricky to maintain that focus. I’m happy it resonated and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Great story great table. I have been playing with woodworking since i was about 12 my Mother owned a craft store so I learned a lot from that. At 50 I was let go from my office job as a warehouse manager after 15 years. My Wife had the idea of going full time working with wood and starting our own company. Skulls too Daisy woodworking was born. we are 3 months into the start up. thanks again for the story.
Sorry about the job, but also awesome and welcome aboard!
I’m retiring out of the army and just built myself a bar. I’m looking at doing woodworking full time
Awesome!
Happiness over everything else I like that
Totally!
To be dynamic, is the salt in the soup of live. The way you went and the decisions you made, were not easy and gave you and your family a lot ups and downs, but to have a live that has no ups and downs, seems to be easy, but not satisfying at all. Best regards from Germany, Ralph
Thank you so much! Here’s to keeping it salty!
Matt, it would be very helpful to hear how those orders started to come in and pile up, this can be a challenging part of self employment and would be super helpful to hear your story on that and how you created customers, thanks.
Future video for sure. Still figuring it all out :)
Congrats! I've come out of a 15 year retirement to follow a lifelong passion in woodworking (over 600 pieces & tables)
That is awesome!
Thank you, This is what i want more than anything in the world but life keeps finding new ways to make me hit pause on theses plans. Listening to your story gave me more hope than i've had in a while. I appreciate it.
Sure thing. Life can do that and that can suck, but it sounds like you’re already got a plan or vision so just keep moving toward that goal. Little and and often will eventually make plenty. You got this!
My struggle has been real working for a company for 9.5 years. Wife has chronic illness, cannot work. Bills are insane. I thought of learning carpentry and woodworking and being my own boss because I love to build, create, and thrive. I love your story from struggling to thriving in your dream. Makes me want to chase mine now.😊
I’m sorry to hear about your wife and current situation. Just get that plan in place and then make it happen! Best of luck!
Loved hearing your story, I got married 2 years ago I have a baby now, I quit my job in construction 1.5 years ago to do cabinets full time and now I just built a brand new wood shop that is so amazing I can’t believe it’s mine. And my wife quit her job 1 week ago to spend more time with our baby. So now the stress is really on to stay busy and keep our family going.
Congrats on the big change and shop. Mine is still a work in progress. Best of luck and best wishes making it work!
Great Video, Better Story, Promising Future. I sent it to my Sons - not for the Video, they're not Woodworkers. All the Best Mr. Matt!!
Thank you so much. All the best!
I have been woodworking since high school. I worked in the corporate world for more than 40 years. I did the daily commute, 1 hour each way (on a good day) for 22 years. My family situation forced my retirement nearly 6 years ago. Now I have a complete wood shop in my back yard and I work part time enjoying my passion. The best of Devine Guidance to you, I don't believe in luck.
Thank you!
Loved your story so much. My mother also passed away in March 2020 just as covid hit. I miss her all the time. I'm a Nurse of 30 yrs and still "one on one" patient care. No office for me. I love what I do and how I make a positive difference for others. As a nurse I work 3 days a week and fill the rest of my time with projects. I do gardening, chicken coops, remodeling, even built a house. But I always had some project going on for myself and my family. Now I'm seriously looking at setting up a shop (garage) as professionally as I can at the moment and doing wood working seriously. You story is truly inspiring, helps me see the possibilities and make that leap of faith for myself. Can't thank you enough, God bless and thanks for sharing.
I’m sorry to hear about your mom as well. It’s awesome you are already doing what you love with the option to taste other interests. Keep it up and can’t wait to see what transpires with the woodworking!
I’m happy for you. I’m in year 13 or 14- ish in the insurance industry and I’ve never felt more miserable. Each day I procrastinate more and more and become increasingly more jaded. Thank you for sharing
It can be hard living in that cube. I wish you the best on whatever you chose next!
Thank you for being so transparent with your woodworking career journey!
Sure thing!
Credit to you for living your dream!
Thanks!
Felt like you were speaking directly to me. Wish u nothing but the best!
Thank you and back at ya!
How can we look our children in the eye and tell them to follow their dreams…. What powerful words…. Thanks Matt for sharing your story. I stumbled across this as I recover 48 hours post op from surgery to treat cancer. At 58 it is time shift the course one degree at a time and your journey will be a guide for me! I have plans for a new shop and will begin to heal through creativity. All the best to you and your family!
I’m glad it resonated with you. I wish you all the best in your recovery and look forward to seeing what’s next!
I had to watch twice as I got so into the story and was feeling the stress of that impending deadline that I forgot to watch the build. Nice work!
Haha much appreciated!
Great story! I’m very happy for you and your family. Thanks. 🇺🇸 15:09
Thank you for the kind words and sentiment. Happy to share.
Thank you for sharing your story. Glad to see you are pursuing your passion of woodworking.
You are much further along in your journey than I am however I identify with your philosophies. I commend you for being a beacon for those of us getting our feet wet and thank you for this video. cheers
You are too kind. Still figuring it out. Enjoy the ride!
I was very touched by your story. I just started my LLC. I'm a granite fabricator and installer for almost 20 years now. It's scary to say that because I'm old and don't feel like it. But my father was diagnosed with cancer around the same time your mother passed. So your story really hit me, tears in eyes kind of hit. I'm trying so hard to do what you did, not from a corporate world but a world where I make someone else much much more money than I do. I enjoy my work and I would do it for free... If this world didn't run on money and good people weren't so hard to find. I was already inspired and already on a path. But your story just solidified that I may not be on the right path but I'm headed into the right direction. Thank you so much. To you and the universe
I’m very sorry to hear about your dad and I hope he beats it. You have a plan in place and you know where you’re headed. Get that momentum going and I am excited to see how it all works out! Best wishes and best of luck to you and yours in this next chapter.
Hits pretty close to home as I’m sitting here working my crappy job wishing I was in the shop instead. Thanks for posting this
Get out there and make something. Finding that balance can be tricky, but necessary. I'm finding more and more each day how common this story is.
Story driven woodworking video! My kinda video! Glad you took the leap! Also, it seems you have found a wise wife as well!
Stay tuned for more! She’s a gem for sure!
This man's story is the definition of the quote from rocky about it doesn't matter how hard you can hit
I’ll take it.
Loved your story Matt. Thanks for sharing. Trying to see a way to making woodwork a bigger part of my life. Appreciate the inspiration. You have a subscriber in me.
Very inspiring video. I can definitely relate to this, as I'm sure many of us can. My favorite motivational quote when I get in a jam is by Paul Sellers (at least that's where I heard it from) "Inch by inch is a cinch, yard by yard is hard."
Thanks and good quote. I’m going to have to steal that haha.
Bravo!
Fantastic video. Really enjoyed the format of the story in conjunction with the build. It was like 2 stories at once! Also, a great looking table. Loved the legs.
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you!
That was wonderful. Best of luck!
Thank you! You too!
Welcome to the beginning of your journey! It's wonderful that you're sharing your story for others to be inspired by. 34 years ago, my wife was pregnant with our second child, and I had a mortgage, I quit my job as a carpenter and started a construction company, I was 29. There certainly have been times when it was a tough row to hoe but I wouldn't change it. The excitement of taking on new projects and the challenge of figuring out how to get the job done is its own reward.
Thank you! I couldn’t agree more and congrats on your long success!
Your video hit home!!! Don’t comment or post much on here, but i started woodworking on the side to be “cheap” and make some decent furniture for the home I rent, with my family, without breaking the bank. And since it is a rental, all the proportions are weird. Building myself killed two birds, one stone. And I work my ass off. So I figured no problem. Turns out I enjoy it, and i learned my lesson about warping on my first build lol. I also enjoy hand and chisel work. Odd. Long story short, I no longer consider my 40 hour job as a ‘career’ and my back is doing me no favors in my early thirty’s from all the overtime. I am thinking of doing the same as you have, supplementing my 100% unfulfilling job that pays well with OT for this. Finding what I will sell, and how i will sell it is a problem I haven’t answered yet. The scheduling issue… I think your video helped me greatly with. Well spoken, great information and background. And a damn good looking table, all filmed well. I’m glad I found your channel, I’ve watched all the big woodwork channels on here I think, keep doing what you are doing! Saved. Like. Subscribed. Off to go hunt your page for DIY builds. Good luck and thank you.
Wow thank you so much for the kind words and support. Balance can be hard starting out and fining your niche is also tricky...I'm still figuring that all out. I wish you the best. Thanks again!
As you say, You are right.
Thanks for sharing your story. Our lives are shorter that we think, and your story shows that The Grind for corporates is not worth as much as family and self.
Thanks
Most people will never figure out their priorities and that is truly heartbreaking. Thank you.
Nice story, nice table. I am stuck doing something I don’t enjoy - looking for that “perfect” job that doesn’t exist
Thanks! The fun is in the search. Keep trying new things. You may find something completely random that you really love.
I watched the whole video. Great story. Glad for your success
I appreciate it!
I thoroughly enjoyed your story. It was very inspirational and a right on time message for me personally!
I'm so glad!
Can't tell you how much I needed this video. I've got plans to leave my corporate job in about a month. I don't know what the other side of that looks like for me (honestly at this point I don't really care, just need to gtfo and take a break for once). Maybe it'll be woodworking as a side gig or maybe it'll be another 9-5 but it won't be this, and that's something.
Anyway thanks for posting this, it's nice to hear sometimes you don't need to have everything planned out step by step to get it to work out. At the end of the day if you're happy and can pay bills you still come out ahead.
Happy to hear this resonated with you and congrats on taking the leap. Remember it doesn’t have to be all or nothing and doing a couple things to find that balance is totally fine. There are no rules. Best of luck!
I really enjoyed hearing your story and I love the table!
Thank you so much!
Love the back drop to your story and wish you all the luck in the world.
Thanks so much!
Funny I work in tech support for an insurance company. Woodworking is only a hobby for me. But I am so happy for you.
Awesome and thanks!
Thank for sharing your story!
This is the best video I have seen all year so far (2023) and it might keep that title.
Super wholesome and inspiring.
Thank you.
Somehow, I didn't want this video to end. Many droplets of life purposes and action. Thank You!
Stay tuned. More on the way and thank you for the kind words.
Brilliant! Good for you.
Thank you!
What a great story. Thanks for the inspiration to keep working towards happiness
Thanks! You got it!
Loved listening to your story. I’m just starting out on my woodworking journey, I decided during Covid to renovate some of our hotel rooms and built wood panels, mouldings and a hidden door ( watched a lot of Steve Ramsey too ) and loved every minute of it. Some good results as guests loved the rooms. Fast forward 3 years, no more hotel, had to move into rented accommodation and the house we have now has a shed big enough for a small shop and my tools fit, so it’s woodworking when I’m not looking after my partner .
Wow you’ve got quite the story as well. You should document that! Thank you for the kind words and best wishes to you on your journey!
@@MrMattWoodworks I’m camera shy lol
Podcast 😃
Inspiring and motivational story; lucky I found this, and thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Love your story! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
A great, and inspiring, story, Matt...wish you and yours all the best!
Thank you and same to you!
My MAN!! Hell of a story!! Thank you for sharing :)
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Great story mate,inspirational even for an old guy like me aged 70
Great story, thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
A beautiful story and a beautiful table. Subscribed. 🙂
Welcome aboard!
Great story brother, my story is very similar. Commuter driving 1.5 hours each way to a job I hated, got laid off in 2020, and I decided to pursue my dream. Also have a family and love seeing them everyday, my wife says she loves the new me. Lol.
New subscriber. Cheers can’t wait to see more videos
Getting laid off is never that fun but that’s awesome it’s working out for you and your family! Thanks for the support!
Awesome story
You took a chance and hopefully works out for you and your family.
Covid and these supplies chain issues were a blessing.
Goodluck with your business
Thank you so much!
Thanks, oddly enough it was one of Steve Ramsey's video's that got me started. I needed a creative outlet although I never realised it at the time, so I took a chisel and saw and made one of his stool projects. All mortice and tenon, at the end when it all came together I was fully addicted to woodworking and have not stopped since. I clean windows for a living and it pays the mortgage and feeds the kids but it can be depressing some times. I cant tell you how much I would love to make the switch. Thanks for the video!
Get that plan in place and make it happen…or do both…or something completely different. There are no rules, just find balance and happiness.
Love it. Thanks for sharing.
You bet!
What a love, inspiring and well told story. Congratulations Matt, I wish you success in your passion.
Thanks so much!
Love your story....very inspiring!
Thanks!
Very relatable. Love the story. Good video.
Thank you so much!
This is everything, thank you!
I’m happy it resonated!
This is so inspiring man
Your story sir , resonates with me a lot. I recently quit a job because of lack of fulfilment and the long commute hours. And i now started a youtube channel by the name of Nepalitries.
That’s awesome!
As someone contemplating taking the same leap into woodworking… you’re an inspiration. All the best to you.
Beautiful table and bench.
And, thank you for sharing.
Subscribed
Very kind and thank you. There's nothing that says you can't do both. I wish you the best as well!
Yes mate! Love this. Good for you!
Thanks a ton!