Putting Wood To Work In America

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            Found it in the Barn blends artistry and functionality into quality wooden cutting boards, bread knives, trays, and other assorted products. We revived the name from a furniture company that I owned previously, and began a smaller scale business about three years ago.

Approximately four years ago, I lost my job due to downsizing and began tinkering in the garage as a way to relieve stress until a job in the educational field surfaced. Meanwhile, My wife and I enrolled in art shows around Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan in hopes of making our American made goods available and affordable to the average person who could use and enjoy the hand crafted wares for years to come. In the early years of Found it in the Barn, I continued to actively seek a job while continuing to build the Found it in the Barn business, which is located in the garage of our home. Last year, we participated in 47 art shows in 52 weeks. At the start of this year, we decided to cut the number of art shows to 23 and pursue entering the wholesale market. In January, we took a weekend and considered all available options and directions in which to take Found it in the Barn. After much prayer and discussion, it was decided that I would no longer actively seek an administration or teaching job and would pursue the business single-mindedly. All the while, Kathleen continued to work her teaching job, and help with the designing, assembly, sanding, oiling, and packaging of the cutting boards, etc in the evenings and on weekends.

As the business has grown, the room available for production and creation has decreased to the point of being cramped and inefficient. We cannot even use some of the machinery that we have purchased because of space and electrical capacity. As of yet, the business is holding its own, but cannot afford to buy or rent another building where all the tools and raw materials would be able to be stored, accessed, and utilized year around. We find ourselves struggling to meet the demands of our wholesale and fine art lines, and therefore have sought to secure assistance from the Vilas County Business Incubator. At their suggestion, Kathleen and I have enrolled in classes offered in conjunction with Nicolet College. At the conclusion of these classes, we will have successfully written a viable business plan that will guide us not only in the present but also in the future. We are requesting funding to secure a suitable building, either build or purchase an existing structure, that will accommodate our current and projected future needs.           

            Found it in the Barn reuses, recycles, or reclaims 65% of the material used to produce our wooden products. We dedicate much time and energy to research ways to produce our cutting boards utilizing environmentally sustainable methods so as to limit any negative impact on the planet.

            In summary, Found it in the Barn is an American company manufacturing American quality wooden products. Our mission is to provide excellent wooden cutting boards, bread knives, etc at an affordable price without compromising our standards.

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  • founditinthebarn

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US$0.00
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No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities