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Life & Work with Kevin of Central Coast (California)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin.

Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Wood Grain Junkie was founded in 2021 by my husband, Kevin, who has always had a passion for woodworking and creating tools that solve real problems in the shop. Like many makers, he often found himself wishing certain products existed, so instead of waiting for someone else to make them, he designed them himself.

What started as a small side business quickly grew through the support of the woodworking community. Our first products were custom router base plates, and as more makers shared feedback, we continued designing solutions that made woodworking more accurate, efficient, and enjoyable. Every new product has been developed with input from the people who actually use them, which has become one of the things that makes our company unique.

Today, Wood Grain Junkie is truly a family business right here in Colorado. Kevin leads product design and innovation, while I manage the day-to-day operations, customer support, quality control, and fulfillment. We’ve also grown into a small team that shares our passion for craftsmanship and serving makers across the country.

Our products are now used by thousands of woodworkers—from hobbyists building projects in their garages to professional furniture makers and content creators. What began in a home workshop has grown into a recognized brand serving customers throughout the United States.

Looking back, our journey has never been about becoming the biggest company. It’s always been about listening to our customers, continually improving our products, and building tools that help makers create with greater confidence. Seeing our products become part of so many workshops is incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited to continue developing innovative solutions for the woodworking community for years to come.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but that’s part of building any small business.

One of our biggest challenges has been maintaining the quality of our products while everything around us has become more expensive. Material costs, shipping, and manufacturing expenses have all increased over the last several years, but we’ve worked hard to absorb as much of those costs as possible instead of passing them on to our customers. In fact, many of our products are still priced the same as when we first introduced them. We’ve always believed that if we can find efficiencies behind the scenes, we should pass those savings along to the makers who support us.

Another challenge is simply wearing so many hats. As a family-owned business, we’re involved in every part of the company—from designing new products and fulfilling orders to customer service and marketing. We’d love to spend more time creating educational content and connecting with the woodworking community, but like many small businesses, there’s only so much time in the day.

Last year, we were also planning to open our first storefront and showroom. We had found a space and were excited to take that next step, but unexpected zoning regulations forced us to put those plans on hold. It was disappointing, but instead of forcing it, we shifted our focus back to developing new products and improving our operations. A storefront is still something we’d like to pursue when the timing and location are right.

The challenges have definitely made us more thoughtful about how we grow. Rather than growing as fast as possible, we’ve focused on building products we’re proud of, taking care of our customers, and making decisions that will benefit the business for the long term.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At my core, I’m a woodworker who enjoys building things and solving problems. Wood Grain Junkie really started because I couldn’t find the tools I wanted in my own shop. Instead of settling for “good enough,” I started designing products that made woodworking more accurate, efficient, and enjoyable. That’s still how I approach every product we release today.

As a husband, father, and business owner, I’ve learned that building a company isn’t much different than building a project in the shop. It takes patience, a willingness to learn from mistakes, and a commitment to doing things the right way, even when no one is watching.

Today, I specialize in designing router accessories and woodworking solutions that are built by a woodworker, for woodworkers. Before anything reaches our customers, it’s used in my own shop. If it doesn’t make my work better, it doesn’t become a Wood Grain Junkie product.

What I’m most proud of isn’t a single product—it’s the community we’ve built. Knowing that thousands of makers trust our products in their shops is something I don’t take for granted. I still enjoy hearing customer feedback, seeing the projects they create, and using those conversations to make our products even better.

I think what sets us apart is that we don’t chase trends or release products just to have something new. Every product starts with a real problem, and we spend the time to get it right. We listen to our customers, make improvements based on their feedback, and focus on quality over quantity. At the end of the day, our goal is simple: build products that we would be proud to use ourselves and that help other makers enjoy the craft as much as we do.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
We’ve only been in Colorado for a short time, so we’re still getting to know the area. We moved here to grow Wood Grain Junkie, and it’s been exciting to become part of a community that values craftsmanship, small businesses, and the outdoors.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is how many people here appreciate working with their hands. Whether it’s woodworking, building, or other trades, there’s a strong maker culture that feels like a great fit for what we do.

The hardest part has simply been leaving California, where I was born and raised and where our kids grew up. Moving a family and a business to a new state is a big adjustment, and we’re still finding our rhythm. But we’re excited to put down roots here and continue building both our business and our place in the community.

Contact Info:

Yellow router mounted on a woodworking jig on a workbench, with black handles and metal rails, in a workshop setting.

Logo with text 'Wood Grain Junkie' and gear-like border, blue and dark blue colors.

Person using a yellow power drill on a wooden surface, with hands gripping the drill and a watch on the wrist.

Three wooden cutting boards stacked, with handles and circular holes, on a marble surface with a tiled wall background.

Four power tool batteries connected to a transparent plastic panel, with a wooden background and surface.

Person using a hand saw to cut a wooden board on a blue workbench in a workshop.

Person's hand guiding a router on a wooden piece, with wood shavings on a blue surface.

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