In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Brandon Collins of Crabtree and Hargreeves about building a profitable bespoke kitchen and furniture business in the UK. Brandon shares how he transitioned from antique restoration with his father into high end bespoke kitchens, how he named his company for brand positioning and search clarity, and why hand painted finishes outperform spray finishes in durability and long term maintenance.

He explains how investing in CNC machinery and Cabinet Vision software improved accuracy, efficiency and client communication, and he discusses pricing, managing growth, recruiting skilled cabinet makers and protecting craftsmanship in a technology driven world.

This episode will resonate with furniture makers, joiners, kitchen designers, cabinet makers and small workshop owners who want practical insight into scaling a bespoke furniture business while maintaining quality and creative control.

Key Topics Covered

• Transition from antique restoration to bespoke kitchens

• Brand naming strategy for cabinet makers and furniture businesses

• Hand painted kitchen finishes versus spray finishes

• CNC machines in small woodworking workshops

• Using Cabinet Vision software for cabinetry design and production

• Growth challenges in bespoke furniture businesses

• Pricing, margins and workshop efficiency

• Skills gap in cabinet making and joinery

• Human judgement in bespoke craftsmanship

• Client expectations in high end kitchen design

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Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Brand Origin and Business Evolution

03:25 Transition from Antiques to Bespoke Furniture

06:26 Challenges and Opportunities in the Furniture Industry

15:27 Hand-Painted Finishes and Quality Control

24:32 Technological Advancements and Efficiency

55:24 The Role of Technology in Bridging Skills Gaps

55:47 The Importance of Creativity and Craftsmanship

56:05 The Future of the Furniture Industry

56:26 Advice for Aspiring Furniture Makers

01:00:21 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Robin Johnson speaks with Louis Rhoades of Louis Rhoades Studio about scaling a bespoke joinery business from a one man workshop to a structured, design led studio. They break down pricing to the penny, profitability between two and four staff, why growth from four to ten is brutal, and how value beats cost when you invest in CNC, spray finishing and FUGA Hydro substrates.

This episode tackles hospitality versus residential work, outsourcing risk, honest client communication, proportion in design, and the stress that comes with ambition. A direct conversation between two workshop owners on craftsmanship, margins, ethics and long term thinking in British furniture making.

Key Topics Covered

1. Scaling from solo maker to small team
2. Profitability at two to four staff versus four to ten
3. Day rate calculation using fixed and variable overheads
4. Hospitality niche versus high end residential pricing
5. Value versus cost in bespoke joinery
6. CNC machining, solid edge banding and spray booth investment
7. Hydro Fuga MDF and veneered construction
8. Design first process and shop drawings
9. Outsourcing risk and quality control
10. Proportion, symmetry and timeless furniture design
11. Stress, cash flow fear and business resilience

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Scaling from one man workshop to small team

04:25 Why employing friends rarely works

08:09 Hospitality versus residential pricing realities

11:07 Value proposition and stepping away from tenders

24:58 Outsourcing failures and bringing processes in house

30:12 Investing in CNC and spray finishing for output and control

33:57 Calculating day rates and defining real value

45:15 Design ethics, legacy and avoiding disposable furniture

01:01:12 Hydro Fuga, veneering and modern wardrobe design

01:17:42 Craft standards, minor defects and client honesty

01:21:37 Advice to a younger self on stress and growth

In this episode of Yours for the Making Robin Johnson speaks with Louisa Pacifico, founder of Future Icons about how makers turn skill into a viable business without undercutting their value. Louisa explains why premium craft succeeds through fewer higher value sales rather than volume, and why many artisans struggle because they price emotionally rather than commercially.

The conversation covers gallery relationships, press strategy licensing contracts and the importance of knowing when to say no. Louisa also discusses her role curating Future Icons Selects during London Craft Week and how makers should approach shows with clarity, purpose and realistic expectations. This episode offers practical insight for craftspeople who want longevity rather than noise.

Key Topics Covered

1. What Future Icons does for established makers
2. Pricing premium craft correctly
3. Understanding audience and market fit
4. Fewer sales higher margins business model
5. Why saying no protects long term value
6. Gallery introductions and exhibition strategy
7. Licensing work with international brands
8. Legal contracts and intellectual property
9. Press coverage and media positioning
10. Apprenticeships internships and education routes
11. Funding grants and bursaries for makers
12. Curating Future Icons Selects for London Craft Week

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 What Future Icons does and why it exists

03:00 Pricing problems in the craft sector

08:44 Knowing when not to do a show

15:27 Value based pricing versus cheap tenders

20:20 Learning business by doing

24:55 Funding education and apprenticeships

34:52 Curating Future Icons Selects

42:08 Regional buyers and gallery strategy

50:46 Advice to young makers

52:10 How to contact Louisa & Future Icons