Meet Leisel Strickler | Woodworker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leisel Strickler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leisel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I started dabbling in woodworking, I never intended to launch a business. However, as I continued to share my latest creations I gained a lot of interest from friends, family, and even strangers. In 2020, I started to consider starting a woodworking business because of the success I had started to have. I loved sharing my work in person and online and I knew that if I did not give it a chance, I would end up regretting it later on.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a creative, I always have multiple projects going on at once. I typically produce and sell cutting boards, but this year I have started to dabble in restoration. One of the projects I am most proud of is a midcentury modern dresser that I helped a friend restore. Bringing this wooden beauty back to life was a dream come true.

Launching and running a business is complex. I love what I do, but it is difficult to produce enough products for it to be a profitable business. I work as a freelance content creator running other people’s social media to help make ends meet. I don’t have all the answers – but my best advice is to try, adapt, and overcome. Don’t hesitate to be persistent and go after what you want.

If you take anything away from this story, I hope it is inspiration. I was a recent college graduate who had little to no experience with woodworking. I certainly did not intend to start a business. But if you are interested in something – pursue it. You probably won’t be good at first (I wasn’t! I’m still learning) but that is the beauty of trying something new.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First stop in Richmond, VA – Perk! Bon air. They have the best coffee and delicious gluten-free options. Pony Pasture or Bell Isle will give you a stunning view of the river city. If you’re downtown, go to Millie’s for breakfast/brunch. It’s a staple restaurant.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My dad, my husband, and my sisters have all played a vital role in my woodworking journey. Growing up, my dad would let my sisters and I wood burn with him. This is one of my earliest memories that sparked my interest in woodworking.

My husband has always been supportive of my creative endeavors. When I showed interest in woodworking, he did not hesitate to learn right alongside me. He did not have a lot of experience with woodworking, but he was always up for watching tutorials, surprising me with tools, or encouraging me. Without his support, I would not have started Stricklywood.

My sisters have all cheered me on; whether they were testing out products, sharing on social media, or sending a word of encouragement, they have always been supportive.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stricklywoodllc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leiselseverson