Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Nielsen.
Hi Ryan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Timing was funny, my wife was in a graduate program on the east coast, and I was in a leadership role in the military. I had several individuals I worked with coming up on retirement and wanted to get them something nice as a gift, funds were limited so I took up CNC and woodworking as a hobby. As time went on, I learned as I went and made things for coworkers and received contributions for time and materials, making wavy hardwood American flags. As the hobby grew, I expanded capabilities, tools, training and methods to create works of art. It eventually launched into a small business in 2023 not only catering to the military gift market but anyone wanting wood art, furniture or décor created. Today I’m still on active duty but finishing up my last few years until retirement and hopefully launching this into something more than a part-time side passion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not, ha-ha, but everything has been a learning experience. Woodworking isn’t about not making mistakes it’s about learning to adapt to the issue and figuring out a way to correct it. Aside from issues with individual projects, destroying material and having to restart; the biggest struggle was probably jumping up from a hobby CNC machine to an industrial one. It was a significant financial investment and 6 months after delivery the company that manufactured the machine went under not due to machine issues, thank goodness. I had a lot of buyer’s remorse and fears of the machine breaking and not having a way to fix it. Luckily the industry network put me in touch with individuals who used to work in that company’s support department and I’ve been able to keep everything moving right along.
Something that is neither really a struggle or a benefit to me is since I’m still on active duty, I really have limited throughput. Time is the resource I lack the most of so I have to be careful with committing myself to too many projects or deadlines I cannot meet. When I first started, I almost felt like I had to land every inquiry on a commission and I was upside-down on expenses vs. revenue and working harder than ever. The goal of this has never been to make tons of money. It at least has to fund itself in a profitable manner. Today I really am selective on taking jobs, and trying to see if the client and I are a good fit for one another, but I always plan on under promising and over delivering.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I pride myself on making things that you can’t find. Rather than make hundreds of items a year, I usually only produce about 2 to 3 dozen. I enjoy collaborating with clients on their vision to create something one off. I love the technology of CNC and the traditional methods of wood working to make heirlooms. I take a lot of time in selecting the right type of hardwood species, drawing vectors, designing in CAD, toolpaths created and to the joinery, epoxy and finish used on the project. From aircraft to wavy flags, topographical reliefs, emblems, furniture, etc.., I’m really proud of pushing out limited quantities but the highest quality.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
With being in the military, I haven’t grown the business to brick and mortar yet. I have primarily been getting business through direct messaging on Instagram @knotty_bits_machine and word of mouth from previous customers. I do own a domain name but have yet to develop it into a customer website. Something I hope to do within the next year.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knotty_bits_machine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Knotty-Bits-Machine/100094007650584/
