Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Schlutz
Hi Julie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a real estate family and was consistently around construction. As I was growing up I always loved creating things, figuring out puzzles, and building through small crafts. As I progressed to adulthood I thought real estate would be my path. After trying different businesses, starting a family, and being in real estate for several years, I found that I was not happy with my professional life. At the same time my husband was taking a woodworking class at Palomar College as a hobby. As I’ve always been handy and we enjoyed building things together, my husband encouraged me to take some of the woodworking classes as well. I took the first class and fell in love with it. I started my own small business making woodworks while being a mom and taking classes. After going through the Cabinetmaking degree at Palomar I learned a lot about woodworking and the software to design cabinetry. Due to that program, I found a new job as a Cabinet Vision Engineer. I love the work, the people, and the flexibility that I have now. I get to to do work that I love, while being able to do make my own woodworks and volunteer for my kids at their school and activities. My life has taken a wondering path to get where I am now but I am so happy to be here.
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?
My path wasn’t smooth because of my own brain. I struggled with anxiety, depression, and my identity for several years. I constantly had imposter syndrome. Therapy, wonderful support from my husband, and finding a work passion that feels like it truly matches who I am has been extremely valuable in my life. I finally feel that I am who I am supposed to be and am the most confident I have ever been. It was hard work to figure out who I was but it has been so worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My main work is as a Cabinet Vision Engineer. I work with contractors, cabinetmakers, and homeowners to create designs of cabinetry for all types of environments. We work on all types of cabinetry for every level of home, commercial offices, and even van conversions. I have heard that our clients appreciate that I am detail oriented, even that I can be too detail oriented at times. I am never afraid to ask the stupid question to make sure the construction or design is right for the application it will be used in.
With my own woodworks, I love the creativity that I am able to put into it. I am really proud of many of my pieces like a gaming coffee table, a train themed nightstand, and many custom signs. I named myself Woodworking Momma as I am both a woodworker and a mom. Those two aspects of my life influence each other greatly and comes out in what I make. Some of my favorite pieces have been custom signs that I have made for my kid’s teachers and the school library. For another library I made a signpost that had arrows pointing to different fantasy locations. That was so fun to make.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
For awhile I had friends that called me Super Women or a Jack of All Trades. This was because I was constantly doing new things and had lots of random experiences. For instance, I went skydiving, bungee jumping, and sledging for the first time with my Dad when I was fifteen. I also have had a couple different types of businesses and I have always been good at fixing things. I think people would be surprised to know that usually through those times where I was outwardly succeeding I was often riddled with anxiety and self-doubt. I never felt confident in myself or that I was doing the right thing with my life, until I found woodworking. It’s been a long road but I like the person I am now so much more than who I was in the past. I believe in constantly improving and learning and I hope to instill that in my kids so that they may have an easier journey in finding themselves like I feel I have finally done.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/woodworking_momma
