Kickstarting Wood Business: How They Did It
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Woodworking businesses are turning to crowdfunding - finding money online to launch a new wood product, or even machines and tools, online.

The idea of the internet as finance source may sound far-fetched, but is has actually succeeded for dozen of woodshops, and inventors of wood products.  Sites like Shopify, Quirky and the widely-known Kickstarter mix self-promotion and consumer feedback to vet and improve products as they come to market.

Kickstarting Wood Business: How They Did ItIn the case of Kickstarter, website visitors learning about a product offering are invited to contributed funding needed for production to being. In some cases, the funding goes to buying the actual product, once available; in others, a T-shirt or other souvenir is offered as a good will gesture in responsse to the funding.

On Friday, April 10 at Cabinets & Closets Expo 2014 I’ll recount stories of companies that tried this half-marketing, half-bank-loan approach, and tell you where to look to get started.

View full Cabinets & Closets Expo Demo Stage schedule.

 

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.