Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Jennings.
Hi Ryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My mom’s dad was an engineer and also a woodworker and photographer. My dad has always been very handy and was always able to make or fix pretty much anything, so grew up around plenty of tools and was pretty handy myself. After deciding not to attend college, I worked with and around cabinets/countertops after high school for a few years.
That experience and working with tools again led me to wanting to continue creating and building more. After the market crashed in 2009, I was forced to work in operations for a few larger companies, and the ability to do cabinetry was not an option. In 2016, I got a new job working in the office for a cabinet company. Being around the industry again I quickly started doing installs on the side for extra money. That quickly led to a friend asking me to do her built-ins, which I agreed to. From there, I got busier and busier doing custom installs for a few years very steadily. I liked doing the installs, but I also wanted to something more creative, like making tables, furniture, etc… When I moved to a house with a dedicated shop space, I quickly began making tables for the new house and thoroughly enjoyed making them and having creative control. My first few cutting boards were made from cut-offs of the first furniture I made for my home. Just like installations, I quickly gained more people wanting custom furniture other wood items I could make in my shop. That led me to doing much more actual woodworking than I had ever done. I pretty much learned as I went, and took most jobs even if just for the experience. These days, I am able to be a little pickier on what projects I take on or not. I do like installations, but making furniture and cutting boards in my favorite part of my business. I get to make things that people get to use, see, and enjoy. Knowing someone is using a cutting board I made to cook a meal, or a family sitting at a table I made for years to come or making someone’s house feel like a home is very satisfying and gratifying.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think anything in life or business is typically a smooth road. A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. As I mentioned, I have learned as I have gone. I continue to learn and grow with every project. Mistakes happen, and they allow me to learn and grow each time they are made. Some of the biggest struggles are running a business while maintaining a day job. It often does not leave much time for anything else, so definitely aim for balance as much as I can.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would say what sets me apart from others is my approach. I am very transparent with clients and aim to exceed expectations on every project. I do not claim to do something I cannot or think I am capable of doing if I cannot exceed an expectation or do my best work. I specialize in custom tables, furniture, cutting boards, cabinet installations, accent walls, and more. I think I am most proud of large tables, I love knowing that people will sit around them and create memories for years to come.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Least, definitely the traffic. Most, the different areas of the city and the differences making it a unique place to live.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/jenningswoodworks
- Facebook: facebook.com/jenningswoodworks
