Episodes

  • How Robin Johnson Built a Joinery Business After Failure and Rebuilt for Growth

    How Robin Johnson Built a Joinery Business After Failure and Rebuilt for Growth
    Apr 8 2026

    Robin Johnson reflects on one year of Yours for the Making and the journey behind building his business, Johnson Bespoke.

    Starting in his father’s workshop, Robin developed a hands on approach to making from an early age. He went on to study surf science, where he learned critical thinking, before working at Quiksilver and gaining insight into retail and customer behaviour. After a period in teaching design and technology, he made the decision to leave and start his own business.

    In this episode, Robin shares the reality of building a creative business from scratch. He talks through early struggles with pricing, inconsistent work, and poor financial management. He explains how losing a major project during COVID forced a reset, and how focusing on joinery and controlling costs allowed the business to recover and grow.

    He also reflects on hiring key people, building a skilled team, and setting a clear direction for the company. This is a direct account of building a business through mistakes, pressure, and long term thinking.

    Key Topics Covered

    • One year of podcasting and lessons from creative guests
    • Early exposure to making and learning through experimentation
    • Studying surf science and developing critical thinking
    • Working at Quicksilver and understanding retail behaviour
    • Teaching design and technology and working in private education
    • Starting Johnson Bespoke and early business challenges
    • Financial mistakes and lessons from COVID disruption
    • Why focusing on joinery improved profitability
    • Hiring key people and building a strong team
    • Scaling a creative business and working with global designers
    • Long term ambition to build a leading joinery company
    • Personal growth through podcasting and reflection

    Enjoying the show?

    Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

    Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

    Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

    Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

    Key Moments:

    00:00 One year of podcasting and purpose of the solo episode

    01:14 Early making experiences and learning through experimentation

    03:25 Studying surf science and developing critical thinking

    07:16 Teaching design and technology and working in schools

    12:04 Starting Johnson Bespoke and early struggles

    15:15 Taking on major projects and facing COVID disruption

    19:04 Financial mistakes and learning to manage numbers

    21:41 Hiring Richard Muddyman and scaling the business

    26:35 Building high end joinery and working with designers

    31:42 Podcast growth and building a personal brand

    36:12 Advice to his 18 year old self and mindset
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • 100 Million Streams and Counting: Soul Singer Sam Wills on Music, Identity and Building a Career as an Independent Artist

    100 Million Streams and Counting: Soul Singer Sam Wills on Music, Identity and Building a Career as an Independent Artist
    Apr 1 2026
    Robin Johnson sits down with Sam Wills, a soulful vocalist and independent artist from Hastings whose song Traingazing recently hit 100 million streams. Sam grew up in Surrey, moved to Hastings at 13, and cut his teeth playing covers in local pubs and restaurants before developing one of the most distinctive falsettos in British soul music. In this episode, Sam talks honestly about what it takes to build a music career from the ground up without a major label: the four years it took to make his album Breathe, the battle with imposter syndrome, the grind of social media, the reality of streaming income, and what it means to hear your song played by DJ Jazzy Jeff in Ibiza. He also shares the story of building a cabin in the woods by hand using pallet wood, why he started making fruit wine, and what he is planning for album number three. This is a conversation about creativity, obsession, staying independent and finding your own path as an artist.Key Topics Covered:How growing up in Hastings and its live music scene shaped Sam's confidence and stage craftSam's first gig at Pissarros playing Arctic Monkeys covers and the years of pub and restaurant performances that followedReaching 100 million streams on Train Gazing and how that milestone sits alongside imposter syndromeWhat Sam's musical style actually sounds like: soulful harmonies, folk, hip-hop, R&B and jazz influencesThe four years it took to make the album Breathe and the emotional stagnation that inspired itWhy the album tells a cohesive story from start to finish and how listeners have connected with itBeing independent: label services deals, creative control, forming your own team and staying out of the major label systemThe reality of social media for independent musicians: 80% of working time, perfectionism, and the fear of being left behindEnjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Key Moments:00:00 Robin introduces Sam Wills and the context of a Hastings music scene that gave him the space to develop01:03 Sam moved to Hastings at 13 and within months was playing his first gig at Pissarros doing Arctic Monkeys and Craig David covers03:13 Why Hastings is genuinely unique for live music: any night of the week, any part of the Old Town, there is always music somewhere04:51 Traingazing hits 100 million streams and Sam reflects on what that number actually means05:21 Why numbers do not define success but do help when imposter syndrome and self-doubt creep in07:40 Sam describes his musical style: soulful at its core, drifting between folk, hip-hop, R&B and jazz11:13 Why Breathe took nearly four years to make and how a period of stagnation became its emotional foundation14:27 Why being a musician now means being a marketer, content creator and social media strategist as much as a songwriter21:51 Sam's musical influences: D'Angelo, Michael Jackson, Jeff Buckley, Bonnie Raitt, Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake and Chet Baker23:34 How a single connection in Hamburg led to a festival show in Taiwan and the discovery of a strong listening base across Southeast Asia25:27 Using Spotify and Apple artist dashboards to track listeners by location and how Sam plans to tour East and Southeast Asia27:44 The economics of streaming: a fraction of a penny per play and what 100 million streams would have been worth in the CD era32:46 The British soul community: Jordan Rakei, Tom Misch, Olivia Dean and why artists competing for the same ears often make each other stronger40:59 How Sam started building a cabin in the woods from pallet wood while making Breathe and why the physical project kept him sane54:32 On the danger of chasing the next thing versus appreciating the journey and taking stock of progress58:08 Why making an album requires obsession, belief and the willingness to keep pushing a boulder uphill1:03:29 Advice for anyone wanting to start a music career: invest in self marketing, absorb the music you love, replicate to learn, get obsessed and keep making
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Green Oak Timber Framing: Building Structures That Last 300 Years with Frontier Oak

    Green Oak Timber Framing: Building Structures That Last 300 Years with Frontier Oak
    Mar 25 2026
    Robin Johnson sits down with Christopher Kentish and Oliver Reimann, the co-founders of Frontier Oak, a bespoke green oak timber framing company based in Sussex. Chris came to the craft after a career in film production, introduced to it through his father-in-law's green oak company. Ollie, who studied advertising and marketing and met Chris at the age of 13, joined him in 2018 after working in production and photography. Together they have built Frontier Oak from the ground up, taking on everything from residential extensions, orangeries, and garden rooms to three-bay garages and contemporary pottery studios. Their ethos is straightforward: 100% bespoke, fully handcrafted, and managed end-to-end from groundworks to final finish. In this episode they talk honestly about what it takes to run a small craft business, why they refuse CNC machines, how they handle green oak's unique challenges, what the future of timber framing looks like, and why they are planning to take on apprentices to keep the craft alive.Key Topics CoveredWhat green oak timber framing actually involves and why it has been done the same way for hundreds of yearsHow Chris and Ollie each found their way into the trade from completely unrelated careersThe bread and butter of Frontier Oak's work: residential extensions, orangeries, garden rooms and standalone buildingsWhy green oak clients are a different type of customer and what drives them to choose timber over brick and mortarThe environmental case for green oak construction and the barriers to using fully sustainable building materialsThe technical challenge of working with green oak: movement, tolerances, pre-fitting frames and getting them to site fastHow CAD design fits into a traditional craft workflow without compromising the handmade approachPlans for oak framing workshops and apprenticeships, and the responsibility of passing the craft to the next generationThe unwritten rules around apprentices in traditional trades like thatching and farrieryEnjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Key Moments:00:00 Robin introduces Chris and Ollie and frames green oak framing as the craft every woodworker imagines00:31 Chris fell into oak framing after film production, starting with two weeks helping his father-in-law01:24 Ollie and Chris met at 13, both ended up in production and photography before Ollie joined the tools in 201808:25 The bread and butter of Frontier Oak: extensions, conservatories, garden rooms, garages and orangeries11:53 The stigma around timber-framed buildings in the UK mortgage market and the environmental case for greener building materials21:38 Modern volume house building versus Frontier Oak's ethos: quality over quantity on structures built to last centuries31:59 Why Frontier Oak will not use CNC machines and why handcrafted frames are the whole point35:20 How they manage green oak movement: pre-fitting every frame in the workshop before getting it to site fast41:44 The honest reality of running a small business: admin, late nights and the gap between production time and everything else50:33 Why managing all subcontractors from groundworks to plastering is their biggest challenge and their biggest selling point57:11 The best part of the job: watching clients see their frame go up for the first time1:07:14 Why passing the craft on is a real responsibility and their plans to take on an apprentice next year1:11:15 Advice to their 18-year-old selves: use your 20s to try things rather than committing too early to the wrong path
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 19 mins
  • The Dark Art of Upholstery: Building a Bespoke British Furniture Business from the Ground Up

    The Dark Art of Upholstery: Building a Bespoke British Furniture Business from the Ground Up
    Mar 18 2026
    Robin Johnson sits down with Jeff McGurty, founder and owner of D&P Upholstery in Gateshead, one of the North East's most established bespoke upholstery businesses. Jeff built his company from a one-man band operating out of evenings and weekends into a seven-person team with a brand new, five times larger workshop in Team Valley. In this episode, Jeff and Robin pull back the curtain on the upholstery trade: a craft that is simultaneously a dark art, a dying art, and a business full of genuine opportunity for those who approach it with curiosity and commercial instinct. They cover the nuts and bolts of running a split commercial and domestic upholstery operation, the frustrations of dealing with premium fabric suppliers, the smart play of building a client base through interior designers, and the calculated growth decisions that took Jeff from moonlighting in a small unit to leading a team and developing a new product range under his own brand, Forme. If you work in the trades, run a craft business, or simply love hearing how skilled makers build real businesses from raw skill, this episode delivers.Key Topics CoveredThe realities of running a bespoke upholstery business in the UK todayWhy targeting interior designers is one of the smartest growth strategies in the tradesThe frustrations of dealing with high-end fabric suppliers and why cheaper fabrics often outperform expensive onesHow Jeff grew DNP Upholstery by buying an existing business, retaining its staff, and scaling it upThe role of AI visualisation software in transforming how designers and clients spec upholstery projectsThe modular sofa system that allows Jeff to offer 20 different designs without building 20 different sofasThe honest truth about taking on apprentices and the rising cost of employing peopleWhy hiring a floor manager was the single biggest change that unlocked business growthThe decline of British furniture manufacturing and what the upholstery trade looks like todayPlans for upholstery workshops open to the public and why they double as a powerful marketing toolJeff's advice for anyone wanting to get into upholstery as a careerEnjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Key Moments:00:00 Robin introduces Jeff McGurty and opens with the idea of upholstery as a dark art, hidden craft work that disguises whatever sits beneath it01:30 Jeff breaks down the 50/50 split between domestic re-upholstery and commercial bespoke seating, and how subcontracting frame-making keeps the operation lean02:35 The pair dig into the absurdity of dealing with premium fabric suppliers: week-long quotes, discontinued stock, and bureaucratic trade account processes that slow down real work04:12 Jeff compares expensive fabrics to designer brands and explains why mid-range fabrics with strong rub-test results often do a better job05:59 Jeff's origin story: Sports Science, two weeks of work experience as a PE teacher, and a summer job that changed everything08:11 The business decision that shaped Jeff's early growth: building relationships with interior designers rather than chasing direct-to-consumer work11:49 How Jeff ended up working above one of his interior designer clients, and the move that eventually led him to buy DNP Upholstery from its retiring founders Derek and Pam14:55 Jeff reveals the new modular sofa range being developed under the Form brand, including AI-powered fabric visualisation software built for trade-only use18:11 The clever modular arm system that lets Jeff show 20 distinct sofa designs using a single seat and back unit with interchangeable arms21:07 Robin's honest account of buying a sofa online and why he will never do it again23:39 The best cushion filling? Jeff argues for a foam core with a feather wrap: structure without the sag24:27 Jeff's most unusual project: a Chesterfield sofa made entirely from Paul Collingwood's cricket jerseys, each diamond panel featuring a different team badge27:29 Why employing people remains the ...
    Show more Show less
    53 mins
  • Designing Ash Furniture in Britain with Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman on Sustainable Chair Making and Manufacturing

    Designing Ash Furniture in Britain with Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman on Sustainable Chair Making and Manufacturing
    Mar 11 2026

    Robin Johnson speaks with furniture designer Katie Walker and designer Charlie Dedman about the collaboration behind Meon Furniture and the realities of modern British furniture making. The conversation explores design for manufacture, steam bending ash timber, CNC machining, sustainable forestry and the business decisions behind heirloom furniture. They discuss the shift from studio craft to batch production, the value of workshop knowledge, and the importance of constant product improvement through feedback and testing. The episode also examines the role of British timber, the impact of ash dieback on forestry, and the challenge of building furniture that will last for decades rather than years.

    Key Topics Covered

    1. Furniture design collaboration between Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman
    2. The launch and vision of the Meon Furniture brand
    3. Steam bending ash timber in chair making
    4. Design for manufacture and batch production
    5. CNC machining in modern furniture workshops
    6. British ash timber and the impact of ash dieback
    7. Sustainable furniture production and responsible forestry
    8. B Corp certification and ethical manufacturing
    9. Furniture product development and continuous improvement
    10. The difference between studio craft and commercial manufacturing
    11. Building heirloom furniture designed to last generations

    Enjoying the show?

    Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

    Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

    Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.


    Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

    Key Moments:

    00:00 Introduction to Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman

    01:23 Origins of the Meon Furniture collaboration

    02:15 Katie Walker’s design education and Royal College background

    07:23 Designing furniture for CNC manufacture

    10:33 Learning woodworking skills through hands on training

    13:48 Steam bending ash timber for chair design

    17:21 Why ash timber is used for interior furniture

    18:52 British ash, forestry and ash dieback

    23:17 The history and reputation of Gaze Burvill furniture

    29:11 Designing joinery that reduces manufacturing time

    31:33 Designing sculptural furniture versus designing for production

    37:35 Product development and improving furniture over time

    41:27 Designing heirloom furniture built to last generations

    45:26 Launch strategy for Meon Furniture

    49:12 Why chair making is one of the hardest furniture disciplines

    50:48 Advice to younger designers entering the craft industry
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • From Woodturning to TEFAF New York: Ash and Plumb on Sculpture, Storytelling and Building a High End Craft Business

    From Woodturning to TEFAF New York: Ash and Plumb on Sculpture, Storytelling and Building a High End Craft Business
    Mar 4 2026

    In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Barnaby Ash and Dru Plumb of Plumb and Ash about their rise from garage woodturning to exhibiting at TEFAF New York. They discuss Greco Roman influences, sculptural wood vessels, working with green oak, embracing cracks and stitch work, targeting high end galleries, and building a profitable craft business through strategy, research and relentless refinement.

    Key Topics Covered

    • Woodturning and contemporary wood sculpture

    • Greco Roman classicism and design history influence

    • Storytelling in art and craft practice

    • Working with green oak, cracks and natural movement

    • Stitching wood vessels and visible mending techniques

    • Transition from craft fairs to international art fairs

    • Targeting high end galleries and collectors

    • Pricing strategy and value in the art market

    • Creative partnership and studio roles

    • Burnout, pressure and creative flow state

    • Building a sustainable craft business in the UK

    • Future plans including blacksmithing and workshop expansion

    Enjoying the show?

    Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

    Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

    Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

    Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

    Key Moments:

    00:00 Introduction to Plumb and Ash and their sculptural woodturning

    01:06 Greco Roman influences and design research

    03:17 Storytelling, symbolism and emotional impact in sculpture

    08:46 Starting out with a second hand lathe and garage workshop

    16:18 Moving from functional objects to sculptural vessels

    17:48 Targeting high end galleries and strategic growth

    22:24 Pressure, ambition and creative risk

    25:01 Division of roles in a creative partnership

    27:32 Working with green oak, cracks and stitched repairs

    34:55 Complex sculptural handles and pushing technical limits

    38:43 Milestones including Collect, museum acquisitions and TEFAF

    51:13 Plans for a new woodland workshop

    56:05 Burnout, deadlines and creative obsession

    59:51 Making work that feels beyond your own ability

    01:00:57 Advice to their eighteen year old selves
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Bespoke Kitchen Business Growth, CNC Cabinet Vision and Hand Painted Finishes with Brandon Collins

    Bespoke Kitchen Business Growth, CNC Cabinet Vision and Hand Painted Finishes with Brandon Collins
    Feb 25 2026

    In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Brandon Collins of Crabtree and Hargreeves about building a profitable bespoke kitchen and furniture business in the UK. Brandon shares how he transitioned from antique restoration with his father into high end bespoke kitchens, how he named his company for brand positioning and search clarity, and why hand painted finishes outperform spray finishes in durability and long term maintenance.

    He explains how investing in CNC machinery and Cabinet Vision software improved accuracy, efficiency and client communication, and he discusses pricing, managing growth, recruiting skilled cabinet makers and protecting craftsmanship in a technology driven world.

    This episode will resonate with furniture makers, joiners, kitchen designers, cabinet makers and small workshop owners who want practical insight into scaling a bespoke furniture business while maintaining quality and creative control.

    Key Topics Covered

    • Transition from antique restoration to bespoke kitchens

    • Brand naming strategy for cabinet makers and furniture businesses

    • Hand painted kitchen finishes versus spray finishes

    • CNC machines in small woodworking workshops

    • Using Cabinet Vision software for cabinetry design and production

    • Growth challenges in bespoke furniture businesses

    • Pricing, margins and workshop efficiency

    • Skills gap in cabinet making and joinery

    • Human judgement in bespoke craftsmanship

    • Client expectations in high end kitchen design


    Enjoying the show?

    Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

    Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

    Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

    Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.


    Key Moments:

    00:00 Brand Origin and Business Evolution

    03:25 Transition from Antiques to Bespoke Furniture

    06:26 Challenges and Opportunities in the Furniture Industry

    15:27 Hand-Painted Finishes and Quality Control

    24:32 Technological Advancements and Efficiency

    55:24 The Role of Technology in Bridging Skills Gaps

    55:47 The Importance of Creativity and Craftsmanship

    56:05 The Future of the Furniture Industry

    56:26 Advice for Aspiring Furniture Makers

    01:00:21 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • How to Scale a Bespoke Joinery Business Without Losing Craft, Profit or Your Sanity

    How to Scale a Bespoke Joinery Business Without Losing Craft, Profit or Your Sanity
    Feb 18 2026

    Robin Johnson speaks with Louis Rhoades of Louis Rhoades Studio about scaling a bespoke joinery business from a one man workshop to a structured, design led studio. They break down pricing to the penny, profitability between two and four staff, why growth from four to ten is brutal, and how value beats cost when you invest in CNC, spray finishing and FUGA Hydro substrates.

    This episode tackles hospitality versus residential work, outsourcing risk, honest client communication, proportion in design, and the stress that comes with ambition. A direct conversation between two workshop owners on craftsmanship, margins, ethics and long term thinking in British furniture making.

    Key Topics Covered

    1. Scaling from solo maker to small team
    2. Profitability at two to four staff versus four to ten
    3. Day rate calculation using fixed and variable overheads
    4. Hospitality niche versus high end residential pricing
    5. Value versus cost in bespoke joinery
    6. CNC machining, solid edge banding and spray booth investment
    7. Hydro Fuga MDF and veneered construction
    8. Design first process and shop drawings
    9. Outsourcing risk and quality control
    10. Proportion, symmetry and timeless furniture design
    11. Stress, cash flow fear and business resilience

    Enjoying the show?

    Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

    Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

    Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

    Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.


    Key Moments:

    00:00 Scaling from one man workshop to small team

    04:25 Why employing friends rarely works

    08:09 Hospitality versus residential pricing realities

    11:07 Value proposition and stepping away from tenders

    24:58 Outsourcing failures and bringing processes in house

    30:12 Investing in CNC and spray finishing for output and control

    33:57 Calculating day rates and defining real value

    45:15 Design ethics, legacy and avoiding disposable furniture

    01:01:12 Hydro Fuga, veneering and modern wardrobe design

    01:17:42 Craft standards, minor defects and client honesty

    01:21:37 Advice to a younger self on stress and growth
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 30 mins