Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenton Ottley.
Hi Brenton, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in New Zealand & have worked with trees in a number of ways. From my first job of planting trees to cutting down trees in the forestry service, running a sawmill for a number of years and now making custom furniture out of domestic and exotic woods. Kiwi Woodshop started as a side hobby when I moved to the US from Australia. I was working as a carpenter and I would use all the free time I had to make charcuterie boards. One day while scrolling through Instagram I came across Epoxy.
I was fascinated by it so I ordered some & started making molds to do Epoxy pours. As my Instagram presence grew, I started getting custom requests for different styles and colors. I kept expanding and building bigger projects which led me to where I am today making full sized epoxy river dining tables and live edge furniture. Every piece I make is one of a kind and I am always pushing my own limits to see what I can do next.
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 was balancing full time work as a carpenter while I was growing my business on the side, it was definitely challenging to balance personal life and keep up with orders I was receiving at the time. Covid also hit just before I transitioned into working for myself, luckily I was fortunate enough to keep receiving orders throughout.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Working with epoxy is what really propelled me to the phase I am currently in, It was the creative outlet I was searching for. Each piece is vastly unique in its own way, I am fortunate enough to have clients that trust my vision. I am proud of how far I have come in such a short amount of time. My background in forestry, sawmilling and carpentry has given me the skills to succeed.
How do you define success?
I remember hiring for one of the largest companies in the world and struggling to answer this question. Now as I sit here answering as a small business, success is getting home each night safely to my wife. It’s the look I see on my clients face when I hand deliver a piece a furniture to them, or when a piece of furniture arrives to its destination in one piece. Success is a never ending achievement that is continuing to grow my business, keeping my clients happy and making sure that everything I produce is the best it can be.
Contact Info:
- Email: kiwiwoodshopusa@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KiwiWoodshopUSA
- Instagram: Kiwiwoodshop
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC4sFC9KsQpzqBc8yEHoCsg
- Other: www.kiwiwoodshop.com
Image Credits
Brenton Ottley
