Meet Joshuah Taylor

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joshuah Taylor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Joshuah, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from a combination of my experiences in sports, being self-taught in woodworking, and the support of my family. Sports have taught me the value of discipline and perseverance. As a runner on the Men’s Cross Country Team at the University of Toledo, I’ve learned that success doesn’t come from talent alone—it’s the hours and hours of training, pushing through discomfort, and showing up every single day, even when it’s tough, that make the difference.

Similarly, woodworking has been a journey of self-teaching and discovery. When I started Joshuah Taylor Woodworks in 2020, I didn’t have formal training. I relied on trial and error, late nights researching techniques, and endless practice to turn my passion into a business. That process taught me patience, problem-solving, and the importance of learning from failure.

Above all, my family has been the foundation of my work ethic. They’ve always encouraged me to dream big but stay grounded in hard work. Whether it was cheering me on at races or helping me set up my first woodworking shop, they’ve always been in my corner, pushing me to be my best.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the owner of Joshuah Taylor Woodworks, a business I started in 2020 during the pandemic. What began as a small hobby in the garage has grown into a small woodworking brand where I create high-quality, handcrafted pieces. My focus ranges from custom furniture to practical solutions for everyday needs, blending functionality with timeless design. I also have taken on the role of a content creator on various social media platforms, sharing my story in hopes I can teach others along the way.

What excites me most about my work is the connection I get to build with people. Each project tells a story, whether it’s a dining table for family gatherings or a personalized gift that becomes a cherished memory. I put a lot into every piece I make, and I think that’s what makes my work special — knowing it will play a role in someone’s life for years to come. I also enjoy the friendships and connections I have created with other makers online and am grateful for such a loving and supportive woodworking community.

Right now, as I finish up college and athletics, I am simply just trying to find that edge that will make me a unique creator. This summer my goal is to start making YouTube content and really focus on my creation skills. I’d also like to start making plans for my builds and teaching others whether that is in person or through an online platform. Another awesome opportunity I have had was working with The University of Toledo and taking head of a huge project in the college of engineering creating a new Makerspace / Woodshop. I have been working with many different companies and teams on this project for about 9 months now. We are putting a brand-new creative space for students and staff to create, design, and render ideas which could be for personal projects or class assignments. I am grateful that I have been put in charge in creating the shop workflow and assembling the various new tools, teaching students how to use them along the way. It still has some more work until it will be done, but it has been a great opportunity and learning experience.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Resilience: Building Joshuah Taylor Woodworks wasn’t without its challenges. There were plenty of long nights where projects didn’t turn out the way I envisioned, equipment broke down, or sales didn’t come through as expected. Resilience taught me to keep moving forward no matter the setbacks. For anyone starting out, I’d say: embrace the hard days—they’re what shape you. Every misstep is a chance to improve and grow stronger.

Creativity: Creativity has been a cornerstone of my woodworking journey. Whether it’s designing unique pieces for clients or problem-solving in the shop, staying creative has kept my work exciting and fulfilling. In woodworking if you look at the best of the best, it’s because they’ve found a way to separate themselves from the crowd. For me, it’s about designing pieces that aren’t just functional but also tell a story. Whether it’s a custom furniture design or experimenting with new materials like epoxy, creativity allows me to stand out and offer something truly unique.

Patience and Hard Work: Perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned is that success doesn’t come overnight. It takes time, grit, and a willingness to put in the hours—often 18-hour days in the shop, late nights finishing a project, and early mornings getting a head start. It’s critical to not compare yourself to others. Everyone’s journey is different, and it’s easy to get discouraged by someone else’s highlight reel. Focus on your own path and trust that the hard work you’re putting in now will pay off in the long run.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I try to do is recognize that it’s okay to feel that way. With everything on my plate—running and traveling five days a week during the season, staying on top of schoolwork to maintain a 4.0 GPA, managing relationships, university projects, sales for my woodworking business, and carving out time for myself—it’s easy to feel stretched thin.

When it all starts to pile up, I know it’s time to reset. Taking a break is essential, even if it’s just for an hour. For me, that often means stepping into the shop and working on a personal project—something that isn’t tied to a deadline. Creating for the sake of creating reminds me why I love woodworking in the first place, and it helps clear my mind.

My advice to anyone feeling overwhelmed is to give yourself permission to breathe. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Prioritize what really matters in the moment, and don’t be afraid to say no to things that don’t align with your goals or say no to big projects that will take too much out of you.

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