Inspiring Conversations with Mike And Natalie Trelstad of Radish Builds LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike And Natalie Trelstad

Hi Mike and Natalie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Mike and I are both teachers, but his passion for woodworking has always been a creative outlet. When our daughter was 11 months old, I asked him to build her a sensory table. Little did we know it would turn into a small family business just a few months later. Our daughter took her first steps while pushing that first table around the house, and soon, friends started asking if we could make one for their kids too.

In March 2020, just before the pandemic, we officially became an LLC. As families adjusted to life at home, we were able to provide a fun and engaging way to keep little ones entertained. We also shared sensory play ideas on social media, which also introduced more people to our business.

Today, we participate in farmers markets about once a month and continue sharing creative sensory play ideas online, hoping to make sensory play accessible and easy for everyone. We have also started hosting online and in person Strings, Stories, and Sensory play dates where we sing songs, read stories, and offer sensory play activities all centered around a specific theme such as numbers and counting.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
With full-time teaching jobs and young kids involved in activities like soccer and piano, running a small business on top of it all can feel like a juggling act. But that’s part of what makes it so special. It’s something we do together as a family. Our kids have fully embraced their roles as “vendor kids”. They get excited on market days and take pride in being part of the business. It’s chaotic at times, but we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Radish Builds is a family run business that specializes in handcrafted wooden sensory tables, sensory play kits, and accessories designed to inspire open ended, hands on learning. As teachers and parents, we understand the importance of play in childhood development, and we pour that knowledge into everything we create.

What sets us apart is our commitment to quality, sustainability, and inclusivity. We use sturdy, eco-friendly, and visually appealing materials like redwood and machine-washable metal sensory bins. We also strive to keep our offerings affordable, making sensory play accessible to more families.

We offer a variety of sensory table designs to fit different needs, including our convertible sensory table, which doubles as a standard picnic table which makes it perfect for both play and everyday family use. We also take custom orders!

Beyond our products, we take pride in fostering a welcoming, inclusive space where all families feel represented. Whether through our sensory play ideas shared online, our Strings, Stories, and Sensory online and in person play dates, or our presence at local markets, we love connecting with parents and caregivers to support meaningful, engaging play.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We want to share just how meaningful it is when customers support our business—whether it’s through a purchase, liking and sharing our posts, or spreading the word to friends. Every bit of support makes a difference. Some of our earliest customers, who bought tables five years ago, still keep in touch, and that connection means the world to us.

Pricing:

• Single Sensory Table $75
• Double Sensory Table $120
• Convertible Sensory Table $240
• Sensory Play Kits $30
• Customer Crayons $10+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.radishbuilds.com
• Instagram: @radish_builds
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14JxyBxoLT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Alexandra Fleming Photography
Kaylene Chambers
Starlight Photography