I Quit My Job to Become a Woodworker | Dining Table Build 

I don’t know what I enjoyed more….watching the table come together or listening to your story. Best of luck to you.

Man this hit close to home. “ how can I tell my kids to chase their dreams when I’m not doing the same.” This has been my motivation to bet on myself.

2 years late, but congrats man! I believe I am in the middle of some big shifts myself. I went back to school in my 40s, met my wife, had a child, got a new career which allowed my wife to quit a job she didn't like. Now we're building her a social media presence on healthy cooking/living and she's writing children's books. And I find myself here learning about woodworking and wanting to move that direction for myself. All of it because of exactly what you said about setting the example for your kids on following their dreams!

Awesome. I've been at a career I HATE for 35 years. "Soul crushing" is an understatement. Was just handed a pink slip and a severance package. Turning my 10x18 shed into a wood shop and I'm going for it.

I started watching Norm Abraham's when I was 18 and thought, Man I'd love to do that... My father in law (Master Carpenter) told me I'd never be able to afford all the tools to do what Abraham's did. A squashed dream. I'm 53 now and have a shop. I build things for my home and for my new job to make my job easier. My Boss who is the Owner wants me to take over a Supervisors position at the end of 2023 which feels like the safe choice, but id really rather bet on myself. I see youtubers say they make 10 to 15k a month woodworking. I'm just not there yet. Thanks for the inspiration. I just need to change from Someday to This day.

This hit incredibly close to home for me. Young family and deep into the woodworking rabbit hole with big dreams that I somehow convince myself is too far out of reach. Well just last week my wife pushed me to post some projects and the orders have started. Your content is especially inspiring.

You remind me of Michael A. Singer: "The Surrender Experiment". Keep on, you're on a beautiful life path...

Thank you for sharing this journey that you are on. At 44 with 5 kids from 17-3 I find myself struggling with a job that breeds nothing in me but anger, anxiety and resentment in a career that I was planning on retiring from. However every minute I spend in my shop leads me to imagine designing and working there everyday with most of the reasons you mentioned. My 17yo is pursuing his dream after high school and I always tell him “Don’t wait until you’re my age to figure out what you want to do, because I still don’t know”. You’re last quote really hit me and I think it’s time to make the leap. Thanks again 🤙🏻

I have a bachelor in chemistry and discovered woodworking while doing a master's degree (fell in love with it at the same time). That was 3 years ago. In January 2023, I decided I wanted to pursue my dream. I registered my company and I'm not yet at the point at which I can quit my job, but it's getting there!

New subscriber here! Your story is inspirational. I hope that many who listen, take their own path. You should be proud of yourself and your decisions. I have been traveling a 1.5-hour round trip for 35 years to a job I never liked. You do the math on that one! 😂 Now I'm close to retirement and look forward to getting out in my shop. Who knows, it may be a new chapter. If anyone is reading this, don't be afraid to take a chance at something you love. It's never too late. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, talent, and story.

Great video...Thanks for sharing! Those kids are going to be so much better off being raised by family vs. daycare - there's no price for that one.

Well done!! Jason - The 13th Craft

Very….VERY well done. You have balls of steel.

Hats off to you!! I'm a stones throw away from retirement and plan on making my hobby woodworking business a full time (HA!) gig. My wife has just recently discovered the joy of working in the shop. She is flipping furniture and I build from scratch. The shop is hers on week days and mine on weekends. works so far.

Great story great table. I have been playing with woodworking since i was about 12 my Mother owned a craft store so I learned a lot from that. At 50 I was let go from my office job as a warehouse manager after 15 years. My Wife had the idea of going full time working with wood and starting our own company. Skulls too Daisy woodworking was born. we are 3 months into the start up. thanks again for the story.

Watching you build a table, listening how you changed your life.... Excuse me, I've got to go build a table.

Thanks for sharing your story - " and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost. I followed this and sold my startup in 2016.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! My wife and I cried watching your video. We are also aspiring woodworkers and DIYers who are looking to quit our corporate jobs to pursue our passion full time, and listening to your story hits close to home. Thank you for being an inspiration and we hope that you continue to grow and achieve everything you put your mind to!

Hey dude, not sure how RU-vid decided to push this video to me but I'm glad it did. Currently stuck in a cubicle job still watching Steve Ramsey videos and hacking away on the weekends. Happy to see any person pursuing their passion and can't wait to see more

This is a truly inspiring story which resonates with a lot of people who are in the same predicament of being in a job that pays the bills but doesn’t fulfill your inner happiness of doing what you want to do. Free yourself…….. Thankyou for inspiring me.

Wow such an inspiration. I’m dealing with a similar situation: having a full time job in a Call Center but also running my small woodwork business. I hope the universe conspire for me and help me to make the same money I’m making in my full time job with my small business and one day quit and have my FREEDOM ❤

To be dynamic, is the salt in the soup of live. The way you went and the decisions you made, were not easy and gave you and your family a lot ups and downs, but to have a live that has no ups and downs, seems to be easy, but not satisfying at all. Best regards from Germany, Ralph

Ive taken a pause from building my first ever workbench to go get my kids from school. Got there a few minutes early and RU-vid randomly recommended this video. The quote about "how can i tell my children to follow their dreams if I'm not following my own" has just hit my incredibly hard. Thankyou for this wake-up call

As a 30 year vet in the construction management industry, your message was inspiring to get otr of the rat race. Best wishes to you and your family

you got me in the moment, had no truck, had no experience, had no materials, I was wondering what to do.... I said Yes lol

The universe conspired for me to see this video. Im on my path to woodworking as well.

Your video hit home!!! Don’t comment or post much on here, but i started woodworking on the side to be “cheap” and make some decent furniture for the home I rent, with my family, without breaking the bank. And since it is a rental, all the proportions are weird. Building myself killed two birds, one stone. And I work my ass off. So I figured no problem. Turns out I enjoy it, and i learned my lesson about warping on my first build lol. I also enjoy hand and chisel work. Odd. Long story short, I no longer consider my 40 hour job as a ‘career’ and my back is doing me no favors in my early thirty’s from all the overtime. I am thinking of doing the same as you have, supplementing my 100% unfulfilling job that pays well with OT for this. Finding what I will sell, and how i will sell it is a problem I haven’t answered yet. The scheduling issue… I think your video helped me greatly with. Well spoken, great information and background. And a damn good looking table, all filmed well. I’m glad I found your channel, I’ve watched all the big woodwork channels on here I think, keep doing what you are doing! Saved. Like. Subscribed. Off to go hunt your page for DIY builds. Good luck and thank you.

Brutal I'm having flashbacks I know how hard it is to work in small areas .The work is really good and having an audience will give you a leg up .

Sorry for the loss of your mom, I know how that feels. Good luck with the woodworking, I hope it pans out for ya.

I've never heard of you or seen any of your videos before today. Subscribed. Don't quit.

Great Video, Better Story, Promising Future. I sent it to my Sons - not for the Video, they're not Woodworkers. All the Best Mr. Matt!!

You are an inspiration. Your wife’s support is exceptional. Luckily, my wife supported my journey back in the late 70’s. I still work part time in my own shop. We’ve never been happier.

Thank you, This is what i want more than anything in the world but life keeps finding new ways to make me hit pause on theses plans. Listening to your story gave me more hope than i've had in a while. I appreciate it.

I keep clicking Like because I need to over and over again. I've just started my own woodworking projects around the Nashville metro area and I feel a deep passion rising within me around it. Your quotes were all familiar and I guide my own family in similar ways. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope we meet at a lumber store one day. Cheers.

As you say, You are right. Thanks for sharing your story. Our lives are shorter that we think, and your story shows that The Grind for corporates is not worth as much as family and self. Thanks

Very inspiring video. I can definitely relate to this, as I'm sure many of us can. My favorite motivational quote when I get in a jam is by Paul Sellers (at least that's where I heard it from) "Inch by inch is a cinch, yard by yard is hard."

I came across this video at the perfect time. I am literally about to take the leap. Just had a small shop built by my house and have a moderate budget for some tools. I had a cancer diagnosis a couple of years back, and it was the catalyst that changed my course... life is precious and short... It's time to start doing something that enriches my journey instead of just marking the days until someone makes a wooden box for me. This video really struck a chord with me on several levels, and you just got a new subscriber. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

You are much further along in your journey than I am however I identify with your philosophies. I commend you for being a beacon for those of us getting our feet wet and thank you for this video. cheers

Absolutely the best video I recently have watched. Keep going!

Happiness over everything else I like that

Funny I work in tech support for an insurance company. Woodworking is only a hobby for me. But I am so happy for you.

I’ve been wanting to quit my job for months and after a terrible week I’m on the edge of just going for it and pursuing my dreams. This is the nudge I needed. Thank you!

I’m retiring out of the army and just built myself a bar. I’m looking at doing woodworking full time

Matt, it would be very helpful to hear how those orders started to come in and pile up, this can be a challenging part of self employment and would be super helpful to hear your story on that and how you created customers, thanks.

At 50 years old this video and more so your message has truly inspired me. Thank you Matt

Can't tell you how much I needed this video. I've got plans to leave my corporate job in about a month. I don't know what the other side of that looks like for me (honestly at this point I don't really care, just need to gtfo and take a break for once). Maybe it'll be woodworking as a side gig or maybe it'll be another 9-5 but it won't be this, and that's something. Anyway thanks for posting this, it's nice to hear sometimes you don't need to have everything planned out step by step to get it to work out. At the end of the day if you're happy and can pay bills you still come out ahead.

Im addicted to this kind of stories right now. Hope to be in your position some day!

One comment on the wood working when cutting off the end pieces from the table the scrap was unsupported this could lead to it pulling on the table and damaging you top or bottom. Please put some sacrificial board or something under the offcut so it will not damage your product. As for the story, all I can say is good for you, we all have our journey to get to where we want to be some are like you where not yet brave enough to take that first step. Happy to hear that you got moved into the right place by forces outside of your control and rather than resisting them you allowed the world to steer you in the right direction. Now a lot of that has to do with the debt free situation and the living within your means as well as diligently saving. Having something to fall back on gives you the freedom to take a risk knowing that you could if the dream fails to materialize survive for a period long enough to sort out your next steps. Without that certainty taking a risk certainly with a family is a lot more difficult to justify of course. But like I said happy to see you got to where you are happy doing things you love, the only thing that I kind of miss in the story is if your wife has been able to do the same and is able to do what she loves as well. Oh, and a nice looking table not my style but it looks good. I would suggest branding your furniture rather than stamping it as the stamp is pretty easy to wipe of where the branding will last longer and remain more legible even after many years of cleaning and children kicking and touching the markings on the bottom of the table.

Great story! I’m very happy for you and your family. Thanks. 🇺🇸 15:09

Story driven woodworking video! My kinda video! Glad you took the leap! Also, it seems you have found a wise wife as well!

Thanks, oddly enough it was one of Steve Ramsey's video's that got me started. I needed a creative outlet although I never realised it at the time, so I took a chisel and saw and made one of his stool projects. All mortice and tenon, at the end when it all came together I was fully addicted to woodworking and have not stopped since. I clean windows for a living and it pays the mortgage and feeds the kids but it can be depressing some times. I cant tell you how much I would love to make the switch. Thanks for the video!

I’m happy for you. I’m in year 13 or 14- ish in the insurance industry and I’ve never felt more miserable. Each day I procrastinate more and more and become increasingly more jaded. Thank you for sharing

Loved listening to your story. I’m just starting out on my woodworking journey, I decided during Covid to renovate some of our hotel rooms and built wood panels, mouldings and a hidden door ( watched a lot of Steve Ramsey too ) and loved every minute of it. Some good results as guests loved the rooms. Fast forward 3 years, no more hotel, had to move into rented accommodation and the house we have now has a shed big enough for a small shop and my tools fit, so it’s woodworking when I’m not looking after my partner .

My struggle has been real working for a company for 9.5 years. Wife has chronic illness, cannot work. Bills are insane. I thought of learning carpentry and woodworking and being my own boss because I love to build, create, and thrive. I love your story from struggling to thriving in your dream. Makes me want to chase mine now.😊

I did the same thing, quit my bank job to become a woodworker. Doing something for a living that´s also your hobby is the ultimate dream of close to 99,9% of the people. My advice: As a woodworker, go big. Don´t waste your time on small projects.

Great story brother, my story is very similar. Commuter driving 1.5 hours each way to a job I hated, got laid off in 2020, and I decided to pursue my dream. Also have a family and love seeing them everyday, my wife says she loves the new me. Lol. New subscriber. Cheers can’t wait to see more videos

Love the table! This is very close to my situation...not loving my corporate job, but my wife doesn't like the uncertainty of commissions in Woodworking so I'm stuck a hobbyist for now, but would love nothing more than being a Fulltime woodworker

Felt like you were speaking directly to me. Wish u nothing but the best!

Congrats! I've come out of a 15 year retirement to follow a lifelong passion in woodworking (over 600 pieces & tables)

How interesting your video comes up as I plan how to make a living off my skills in wood and metalcraft. Hating my boss, job, commute, and the endless grind for the betterment of others and not myself. Thanks, friend. I really take the advice to heart.

I think Covid was the catalyst for change or that realization in most of us. Awesome work and loved the honest and open dialogue. #goodluck

I was very touched by your story. I just started my LLC. I'm a granite fabricator and installer for almost 20 years now. It's scary to say that because I'm old and don't feel like it. But my father was diagnosed with cancer around the same time your mother passed. So your story really hit me, tears in eyes kind of hit. I'm trying so hard to do what you did, not from a corporate world but a world where I make someone else much much more money than I do. I enjoy my work and I would do it for free... If this world didn't run on money and good people weren't so hard to find. I was already inspired and already on a path. But your story just solidified that I may not be on the right path but I'm headed into the right direction. Thank you so much. To you and the universe

Thank you for being so transparent with your woodworking career journey!

Loved your story so much. My mother also passed away in March 2020 just as covid hit. I miss her all the time. I'm a Nurse of 30 yrs and still "one on one" patient care. No office for me. I love what I do and how I make a positive difference for others. As a nurse I work 3 days a week and fill the rest of my time with projects. I do gardening, chicken coops, remodeling, even built a house. But I always had some project going on for myself and my family. Now I'm seriously looking at setting up a shop (garage) as professionally as I can at the moment and doing wood working seriously. You story is truly inspiring, helps me see the possibilities and make that leap of faith for myself. Can't thank you enough, God bless and thanks for sharing.

Congratulations man!!! Good for you!! And no leaving your Cush job with a good wage,benefits, leave and medical with a wife and kids with a mortgage and bills to pay is not easy. I have the same decision to make here soon I’ve woke up every night since January 2023 just thinking about it. I recently opened a general contracting business and it’s scary to bet on yourself, it takes courage especially when people are counting you! Godspeed your story was encouraging I hope to have my own success story!!!

How can we look our children in the eye and tell them to follow their dreams…. What powerful words…. Thanks Matt for sharing your story. I stumbled across this as I recover 48 hours post op from surgery to treat cancer. At 58 it is time shift the course one degree at a time and your journey will be a guide for me! I have plans for a new shop and will begin to heal through creativity. All the best to you and your family!

Credit to you for living your dream!

Welcome to the beginning of your journey! It's wonderful that you're sharing your story for others to be inspired by. 34 years ago, my wife was pregnant with our second child, and I had a mortgage, I quit my job as a carpenter and started a construction company, I was 29. There certainly have been times when it was a tough row to hoe but I wouldn't change it. The excitement of taking on new projects and the challenge of figuring out how to get the job done is its own reward.

"Comparison is the thief of joy"

Just watched this a second time...this video made me realize I'd given up on my dreams somewhere throughout the years and didn't realize it. Thank you, sir.

Your story sir , resonates with me a lot. I recently quit a job because of lack of fulfilment and the long commute hours. And i now started a youtube channel by the name of Nepalitries.

I have been woodworking since high school. I worked in the corporate world for more than 40 years. I did the daily commute, 1 hour each way (on a good day) for 22 years. My family situation forced my retirement nearly 6 years ago. Now I have a complete wood shop in my back yard and I work part time enjoying my passion. The best of Devine Guidance to you, I don't believe in luck.

Loved hearing your story, I got married 2 years ago I have a baby now, I quit my job in construction 1.5 years ago to do cabinets full time and now I just built a brand new wood shop that is so amazing I can’t believe it’s mine. And my wife quit her job 1 week ago to spend more time with our baby. So now the stress is really on to stay busy and keep our family going.

Unbelievable if your happy nothing else matters happiness is success

Bravo!

Hits pretty close to home as I’m sitting here working my crappy job wishing I was in the shop instead. Thanks for posting this

What a great story. Thanks for the inspiration to keep working towards happiness

Me too, I failed miserably. Back to work next week!!!!

Your video was an accidental find, youtube algorithm working it's magic. Glad I stumbled upon it. Thanks for sharing this video. I sub'd!

Nice story, nice table. I am stuck doing something I don’t enjoy - looking for that “perfect” job that doesn’t exist

I had to watch twice as I got so into the story and was feeling the stress of that impending deadline that I forgot to watch the build. Nice work!

I love your story and enjoyed watching you work. God bless you.

What a beautiful video. I had just watched one of my favorite woodworkers videos that sold the idea that this is how he started. Only to find it was an infomercial for a website. I can’t tell you how depressed I was to see him completely sell out. This guy is extremely talented. So watching your video right after that balanced everything out. Thanks for the video, I’m lookin forward to checking out your other content.

beautiful . both your decision and work followed by same. cheers. all the best for happiness

Love the back drop to your story and wish you all the luck in the world.

I watched the whole video. Great story. Glad for your success

Hey, I have dreamed of being a woodworker for the best part of my adult life. I have always said 'If I hadn't been a chef I'd have been a carpenter'. My dad built our home when I was a child but other than helping him with the odd building project I'm not sure where this life-long passion was born from. I have a successful catering business and last year I leased a railway arch to build my first proper commercial kitchen and office. I decided to do 90% of the build myself, RU-vid was my teacher. I enjoyed this process more than any of my 15 years in catering. 18 months on and I'm creating a nice little workshop in my garage. It's my favourite room in the house. I love everything about every project, I am patient with my mistakes and love problem solving. I'm dreaming of a possible exit and stories like yours really make it seem possible. Thanks man!

Awesome story You took a chance and hopefully works out for you and your family. Covid and these supplies chain issues were a blessing. Goodluck with your business

My MAN!! Hell of a story!! Thank you for sharing :)

Bro, wonderful life story! I'm a Dr. who does woodworking on nights and weekends and see it as his retirement job. (Hahaha) Oh, and a tool that transformed my woodworking (not cheap but amazing) is the Hammer® C3 41 - Combination Machine. Keep up the great work, and I subscribed.

Just amazing - good for you. Wish I could take a leaf out of your book

A beautiful story and a beautiful table. Subscribed. 🙂

Incredible story! I'll pass this video to my cousin who is a carpenter by trade. Good luck and God Bless!

Great story, bro! I hope you're still doing well! Keep hustling my friend.

Best of luck friend, I feel you and you deserve all the happiness that comes your way🤗

This is a great story and exactly what most people need to hear. Success is never a straight line. It is the culmination of all the twists and turns that led you hear. Also, I live in the Nashville area as well. God Bless!

Great work and great story...........live long and happy

As someone contemplating taking the same leap into woodworking… you’re an inspiration. All the best to you. Beautiful table and bench. And, thank you for sharing. Subscribed

Women underestimate the power that they wield in their mans life. Her supporting you in what you did made the worlds difference. If she did not support or believed in you, this video would never ever have been made. Just go to her now, and give her one great big THANK YOU HUG. My first wife never ever believed in me or my dreams and hobbies. Married 6 years now to my best friend, biggest fan and greatest supporter. One amazing woman... Kick Ass Bud! GBY

Fantastic video. Really enjoyed the format of the story in conjunction with the build. It was like 2 stories at once! Also, a great looking table. Loved the legs.