Exploring Life & Business with Jesse Kozazcki of Kozazcki Customs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Kozazcki. 

Hi Jesse, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Living life and taking chances is how I got into woodworking. It was more of an accident than anything. Throughout my young life, I’ve had many different jobs and positions in many different industries. I wasn’t sure what would stoke my fire and what would make my hair turn gray. Thus, I had to get hands-on experience to learn what I like and don’t like. One day, in early 2020, I randomly purchased wood at Home Depot and made a raised garden bed, more like a garden table. They are, in retrospect, extremely easy to build. But being new at the craft, I found challenges and I found solutions. It was a nice experience and I ended up yielding so much produce from that table which measured 4’x3′ by 3 feet tall. 

At the time my wife and I was living on my uncle’s farm. We lived in a house that was right off the parking lot as customers drove in. Customers of the farm saw my raised garden bed and came knocking on my door. I had about a dozen people ordering these (what I called “veggie tables”). I was getting calls at work for orders. I couldn’t wait to get home. I wanted to be building. At the time I was working as a Class A truck driver, bored out of mind with the job as I drove the same long 6-hour round trip every day. During those days of driving, I found myself thinking of what I am going to do when I get home. What a way to live? I spend all day just rushing to get home. That doesn’t sound like a good life. I’m the type of person that doesn’t like to suffer in my own head doing mundane tasks. I quit my truck driving job with no real idea of how I would make woodworking into a paying job – but that wasn’t important to me because I was doing something that I found myself enjoying. It was the culmination of all the positive things I liked from my previous rolls in different industries, with very little of the things I didn’t like. Empathy is something I have a lot of. I previously sold life insurance and solar and I deeply loathed having to ask/persuade people into purchasing something. Now, I have found something that gives me the enjoyment of seeing the client when they receive their piece – the enjoyment of not having to ask for them to buy, but rather them trusting me to deliver on my word and asking to get on my calendar. Their excitement to send me money – and I don’t mean that in a greedy way. What I mean is that I by trying many different jobs and roles, I learned so much about myself. I learned what I like and don’t like. That when you are doing something you believe in, something you are passionate about, you find a way to make it work because it gives you the feelings and emotions that you want to experience more in life. I appreciate people trusting me with their hard-earned money, trusting me to deliver on my word and build them exactly what it is that they envisioned. 

The most important part of all of this was that my wife, Danielle, supported me. When I first talked about quitting my job, she supported me immediately. She saw how much I enjoyed it. All of the building on the veggie tables took place outside. It was late September and it was starting to get cold (at the time we live in Massachusetts). She saw my days getting shorter and colder. With a genuine smile, she suggested I turn the living room into a workshop. I didn’t want to give her any time to reconsider that statement, so I did (I wish I had a picture). I then started making charcuterie boards, made a dinner table for my sister-in-law, and posted it all on Instagram. Before you knew it, I was having people reach out to me to have dinner tables, coffee tables, vanities, and shelves made. So many of these wonderful people were clients of Danielle that trusted me to produce quality work while being new at the craft, and I am so thankful for those people. This brought me to June of 2021. 

For years my wife and I have been talking about moving out to Arizona, and we finally did in July of 2021. With no customers out here, I trusted that if woodworking is what I was passionate about, then I would do what it takes, and I would build a business. That it would all work out if I made a plan and I did the work I needed to do – and it has done just that. I’ve only been in Arizona for 6 months and have already worked with some absolutely wonderful clients out here, that not only continue to give me more business but refer me to others which allows the business to grow. I currently have a shop by Bell and 16th St, but am currently at looking at purchasing land and expanding the business. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a relatively smooth road. There have been a few times where I feel defeated and consider moving on to something else. My wife always sets me straight with her wise words. She reminds me of how easy I have it, how blessed we are. Not to let the small things trip us up. That maybe I’m hangry and need to eat. She’s always right there when I need it most. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Kozazcki Customs?
At Kozazcki Customs I focus on delivering to the client exactly what they envisioned in their mind while providing superior communication and service. Particularly, Kozazcki Customs does custom woodworking, that is virtually anything made out of wood. Some examples include dinner tables, vanities, cabinets, entertainment centers, doors, floating shelves, etc. No detail is overlooked. Kozazcki Customs also collaborates with other local makers that are involved in upholstery and metalwork. 

What makes Kozazcki Customs so unique is that I provide you with a price, constant communication, and clear expectations, all upfront. There are no surprises at the end other than getting exactly what you wanted. I also back all my work with a lifetime warranty. However, that means due to the fact I offer a lifetime warranty – that forces me to not only to do my best on every piece, but it also means I use the best materials possible so that I don’t get those calls. Because of this, you will pay more with Kozazcki Customs. However, like I like to say “Buy once, cry once.” When considering the longevity of the pieces and quality, their value cannot be beat. 

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If people want to support me, either with ordering a custom piece or just like looking at what I am creating, they can find me on Instagram @KozazckiCustoms. From there, you can find my website. My website has a contact form. Alternatively, my Instagram can be used for initial contact as well. If you aren’t ready to buy, liking pictures and commenting helps my business gain exposure and grow. 

Contact Info:

• Email: Jesse@KozazckiCustoms.com
• Website: KozazckiCustoms.com
• Instagram: KozazckiCustoms
• Facebook: KozazckiCustoms