Back in July I was followed for 2 days by a small film crew from Buy me a Coffee as part of a series of short films about creators on their platform.
They caught me at a crossroads, nearing the end of negotiations (or so I thought) with someone to buy into 50% of my woodworking business.
That exploratory process involved a lot of letting go: I was willing to give up full ownership and control to win back my time.
So being asked to sit down and talk about the hard graft of these past few years getting to this point alongside tough personal circumstances, I let down my guard, and the film took an unexpected turn.
The plans I hint at towards the end of the film have been in progress for a few years, with or without a new partner: the 3D Assembly Squares and the Freebird Gaming Table, shaker doors and other trade supply work... the aim is to make the business more delegated; to allow me to pick and choose the bespoke fitted furniture projects I want to do without relying so completely on such a demanding and often unforgiving type of work.
In the end, I pulled the plug on my potential business partnership before getting too entangled.
The negotiations had drifted into higher upfront costs and profit share than made sense to me for the health of the business from the outset. There were too many red flags and too little detail on things I was preparing to entrust to the new partner. Ultimately the likelihood became too high that the arrangement would increase stress rather than decreasing/sharing it as intended, and then there would be no going back.
Besides, we are profitable and healthy, and grew over 40% in the past year, without outside help.
Seeing the final edit of the film, I was reminded of what I've already got here, and what's really important.
Being a business owner is not easy.
In recent years I'd been leaning away from the challenges too much, and looking for some kind of way out. I can be forgiven for this in the circumstances, but it wasn't working, and it almost led to bad choices.
Now I've decided to lean in again. To trust my instincts, since they are already bearing fruit, and to trust my team - leaning on them where necessary but also leading them again.
There will always be ups and downs. But having hit rock bottom, to the point of being willing to let go, I have now rediscovered purpose and hope in facing the hard things head-on and not giving up.
I will continue to document this business and personal journey here on my membership site at www.buymeacoffee.com/alastairjohnson
I am motivated by sharing what I've learned about all aspects of bespoke fitted furniture for others in this line of work.
Whether it's technical tips, design advice, construction videos, or business advice, it gives me satisfaction to give others a hand alongside building my own business.
The thread that runs through everything I do is family: Bringing people together around a gaming/dining table - Improving family life at home with bespoke fitted furniture - Helping my fellow tradespeople get home quicker to their families after a faster day's work thanks to the 3D assembly squares or trade shaker doors made for them. Making business work, so family life works better too.
Thanks for reading and watching, and if I have helped you in any way I'd love to hear it.
Alastair Johnson