# STL266: Pro day with Hiller and Farrington!

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2022-05-20
- Length: 1h 08m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington

## Summary

Nancy Hiller and Mike Farrington, professional woodworkers and authors, discuss the realities of running a custom woodworking business, including managing client expectations, pricing strategies, and the importance of clear communication. They detail their distinct contract processes—Hiller’s detailed multi-phase agreements versus Farrington’s simpler proposals—and emphasize that presenting oneself professionally is key to selling high-end work. The conversation covers how to handle difficult client requests, such as painting walnut white, and the necessity of building a network of trusted referrals to sustain a diverse portfolio of built-ins and freestanding furniture.

## Chapters

- [2:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=134) Introduction: Nancy Hiller and Mike Farrington on Professional Woodworking
- [9:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=541) Filling the Calendar: Balancing High-End Commissions with Filler Jobs
- [12:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=730) Managing Client Expectations: Contracts, Proposals, and Design Fees
- [22:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=1320) Presenting Yourself: Marketing, Pricing, and Building Trust
- [34:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=2056) Joinery and Materials: When to Use Biscuits, Dominoes, or Traditional Joinery
- [39:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=2387) Handling Difficult Requests: Painting Walnut White and Client Education
- [44:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=2689) Referrals and Networking: Building a List of Trusted Craftspeople
- [52:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=3137) Diversifying Income: Writing, YouTube, and Variety in Work
- [1:00:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington#t=3655) The Reality of the Profession: Making a Living vs. Making a Life

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Fine Woodworking (company)
- Lost Art Press (company)
- Rockler (company)
- Woodcraft (company)
- Triton (company)
- Bosch (product)
- Domino (product)
- Biscuit Joiner (product)
- IKEA (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 326: You can always sell a drumset…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-22-episode-326-you-can-always-sell-a-drumset) (Making It)
- [Making It #016: Perfect vs profit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-04-10-making-it-016-perfect-vs-profit) (Making It)
- [299: I’m coming to see you, Elizabeth!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-03-19-299-im-coming-to-see-you-elizabeth) (Making It)
- [Episode 123: No.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-06-09-episode-123-no) (Making It)
- [Episode 284: Speaking of wiener dogs…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-11-13-episode-284-speaking-of-wiener-dogs) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-05-20-stl266-pro-day-with-hiller-and-farrington. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.