STL Profile: Erika Torres

Shop Talk Live · 20 Aug 2021 · 23m

What this episode covers

Erika Torres, a woodworker known as Madeira by Erica, shares her journey from a traditional life path to becoming a professional woodworker after completing Gary Rogowski's mastery program at the Northwest School of Woodworking. She discusses the financial and logistical challenges of balancing intensive study with raising three young children, including a pregnancy during the program, and the pivotal role her husband played in supporting her career change. Torres highlights the intimidation of being the only woman in her class and how the program provided the foundational hand-tool skills necessary for her subsequent professional success, such as building tables for SawStop.

Mentioned

Companies
SawStop, Woodcraft, Fine Woodworking
Products
Madeira by Erica
Also
Gary Rogowski, Northwest School of Woodworking, CFC, Connecticut Valley

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