Meet Ianthus Barlow

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ianthus Barlow. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ianthus below.

Hi Ianthus , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I would say I got my work ethic mostly from my dad but also from all my uncles, aunts, and grandparents. We grew up in a small town where everyone was very close and believed in working hard for what you want in life. We all had hands-on trades and would build everything from scratch. In my hometown of Colorado City AZ, we didn’t have only one job. we all pitched in where we were needed and learned as we worked. This resulted in everyone having the mindset that we can do anything if we put our minds to it and never say “That’s not my job”. Growing up the entire town would get together and do projects we called “Build a house in a day” for someone in need. I know it seems unrealistic but there is video evidence of it. Everyone would jump in and build a house from the ground up in 24 hours start to finish excluding the concrete pad that was already placed. It was quite a sight to see. These days it showed the work ethic of everyone and taught the younger generations how to have a great work ethic.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At IB Woodworks I am the salesman, Designer, craftsman, and deliveryman. We build luxury high-end tables out of solid hardwood in many styles featuring live edge, Epoxy river, and even more modern square decorative edge and can add artwork/logos for stunning conversation starter conference tables. We build furniture that we are proud of and that will still be around long after I’m gone. These days everything in the furniture industry is built to break so you have to keep buying it over and over again. I have always been the person who wanted to go against the flow, never following what everyone else is doing and carving my own path in the world so I’m doing the same with my woodworking. I don’t want to be another company offering disposable products I’m not proud to put my name on, that’s why we build everything from solid hardwoods and use the highest quality products in our builds.

I also build handmade products we sell at Uzona Souvenir & Gift along with 60 other individual local artist’s handmade gifts. Right now we are merging our inventory to our online store @ shop.ibwoodworks.com so the world can enjoy unique, quality handmade products for themselves and their loved ones. Customers will also be able to follow us on social media to get a chance at winning gifts in our giveaways @uzonastore.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would say my desire to always be improving in life helped me to look to the future and want more than just a 9-5 job and that’s what started the journey of launching my first business. I believe if you’re not moving forward then you’re moving backward. That’s what keeps me going on those days I don’t want to do anything.

The skills I learned from my childhood and the jobs I worked before being self-employed gave me the knowledge I needed to be able to design and build something from scratch. From picking the right products for the build, to knowing what tools to use and what order to assemble a project for a flawless finished piece.

Lastly, I desire to help make the world a better place for future generations. this is another reason I strive to only build quality products that last generations so the resources are preserved.

For those who want advice on how to improve in these areas just remember you are the one driving your lifeboat. If you keep paddling and navigating around the negative people in life who tell you you can’t do it, you will move forward and eventually reach your goal. You will gain valuable skills on the way and by doing these you are already making the world a better place.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Those looking for a one-of-a-kind, quality art piece that is both functional and will withstand the test of time love the finished product we offer. We will also involve the client in the design process if they would like to, letting them pick the wood slab, the color of epoxy, and the table base. Celebrities also love our tables for their uniqueness. They can say they are the only ones with a table like theirs since every build is custom, every build is one of a kind. Our tables go elegantly in cabins, vacation homes, and even vacation rentals offering an art piece to sit around as you enjoy conversation over dinner with family and friends.
Businesses looking for a conference table with their logo and electrical ports inlayed are always blown away by the quality and attention to detail we offer on our builds.

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