What were your career backgrounds prior to owning a Woodcraft store?
Neil: Accountant for Dun & Bradstreet for 24 years.
Susan: I currently still have my full-time job at JPMorgan in Investment Banking as a senior executive assistant.
Why did owning a Woodcraft store appeal to you?
Neil: My passion for woodworking and the opportunity of assisting other woodworkers.
Susan: Neil’s obsession with making things out of wood and how great would it be to never have to work again – since this was something Neil loved to do it, wouldn’t be work for him.
What was your biggest concern?
Our biggest concern was questioning if this is something we can take on because we knew nothing about retail and all of what it entailed. Another concern was having reliable and trustworthy staff. We’ve been fortunate to have both, and we couldn’t do what we do without them.
Neil, what was it like going from employee to owner?
I was given a great opportunity by the previous owner, who hired me so I could see what it was like on the retail side of the business. I learned what it took to run a Woodcraft store. I was placing and receiving orders, hiring and/or letting go of employees, scheduling work hours and other day-to-day processes. So when I had the opportunity to become an owner, the only real change was signing my name to all of the documents and forms.
What is it like working together?
Neil: It’s great to watch Susan interact with the customers, assisting in any way she can. If she doesn’t have the answer, she reaches out to me or other staff members.
Susan: It’s really been nice because we spend a lot more time together, especially on weekends. We share much more of a common interest, and I get inspired with ideas for things that I want him to make. :)
How has Woodcraft corporate been helpful in your success?
Woodcraft corporate has been instrumental in our success by offering unlimited support by way of advertisements, technology and working with vendors. We could not imagine having to do all of what Woodcraft corporate does and be as successful.
What advice would you give someone considering a Woodcraft franchise?
I find this question a little difficult to answer because I have learned people have different agendas. There are some people who get into franchise solely as an investment opportunity. There are some people who get into it for the passion. But with that said, my advice would be to take the leap, especially if you enjoy working with customers. You don’t have to be business savvy so don’t overthink that part, and the good thing is that Woodcraft corporate will be there to guide you along the way.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of owning a Woodcraft store?
Because we both supported this venture, I would say that for us the most rewarding thing about owning a Woodcraft store is that it’s given us the opportunity to allow Neil to follow his passion, working with the customer, having a great staff, and it has given us more creative freedom. In addition, it has afforded us the opportunity to find our own work life balance and flexibility and further my woodworking skills.
