The Making of Overkill Woodcraft

A haircut is how I own a woodworking business. Let me explain.

My father was a craftsman, I grew up helping him and learning the essentials of how to make things, but I never wanted that to be my long-term job. Too much "manual labor", I needed a "real career" and an education, so I decided to join the U.S. Air Force. While waiting for that to happen I put what I learned from my father to use, and apprenticed for a custom cabinet installer/maker.

I then spent a decade serving as an Emergency Management Specialist, whose job motto is “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst”. Once I was out of the military, I finished my bachelor’s degree (with Suma Cum Laude honors), then worked at various levels of the government for the next few years. During this time, I bought my first house, and it needed some work. The first thing it specifically needed was a wooden cornice over the large slider to replace some old drapes. While making it I realized "wait, I can design this however I want...like an artist would do". That might sound odd, but I was so used to doing things by the book that one taste creative freedom was all it took.

I'd show my old friend and barber pictures of the projects and progress during haircuts and one day the owner (who worked the chair next to my barber) asked if I could make him some custom storage benches for the barbershop. I agreed and a few weeks later I stopped by with some finish samples after a very long and stressful day at my "real job". The reception I received was a the complete opposite of the aforementioned day. Everyone was so appreciative and excited. Especially the owner, who knew he was finally going to get the perfect benches he truly needed for the space.

That was in 2018, I resigned my well-paying job with great benefits shortly afterwards. I put my degree and 14 years invested into a career that I enjoyed off to the side, and dove into the scary new world of owning a business that largely consisted of manual labor. Funny how some things work out…but it truly has worked out. My fundamental craftsman-style skills combined with an extensive career in a meticulous military field enabled me to become an artist who can make beautiful, one-of-a-kind items able to last as long as physically possible.

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As of today, I’ve furnished two barbershops for that owner and am working on his third location. I also furnished the shop that my barber opened, and have made countless other individual pieces for many other wonderful clients across the country. Hopefully I’ll do the same for you, soon.

 

Thanks for reading,

-Matt

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