About Woods and WAX
oods and Wax was founded with a simple mission: to prove that handcrafted, American-made products can be built to last without carrying an unreasonable price tag. Every cutting board I make is built with longevity, quality, and practicality in mind. I believe a kitchen tool should serve a family for years—not be replaced every few months.
y Background: I didn't begin my career as a woodworker. For more than a decade, I've worked in digital marketing, sales, business development, and leadership roles while building businesses of my own. Marketing has been my profession, but woodworking has become my passion. Woods and Wax started as a side business funded through my career in marketing. My long-term vision has always been to build something tangible—a business centered around craftsmanship that I can continue growing well into retirement. Marketing evolves constantly. Algorithms change, platforms change, and technology changes. But the fundamentals of building quality products, earning trust, and serving customers have remained the same throughout history. That's the type of business I wanted to create.
y Woodworking Journey: I've been woodworking for more than three years, but my experience with building things started much earlier. Growing up, I helped my mother build wooden piano benches for her piano students using basic hand tools. Those projects introduced me to the satisfaction of creating something useful with my own hands. Over the years I've also worked on a variety of construction projects, including roofing, framing, drywall, concrete, demolition, and residential remodeling. Each experience taught me different skills, but woodworking is the craft that captured my interest the most.
hy I Started Woods and Wax:The idea for Woods & Wax came from a decision my family made to reduce our use of plastic. We replaced plastic food containers, cups, plates, and kitchen tools with products designed to last longer and reduce unnecessary waste. When it came time to replace our plastic cutting board, I was surprised by the limited options available. Many boards were either: Mass produced overseas Built with multiple glue joints Far more expensive than I felt they needed to be As someone who has always enjoyed building things myself, I decided to make my own. After purchasing hardwood locally and spending countless hours experimenting with different designs, finishing methods, and construction techniques, I eventually created a cutting board that my family genuinely enjoyed using. Friends and neighbors began asking for one of their own. That hobby quickly grew into Woods & Wax. Today, every board I build follows the same goal that inspired the company from the beginning: create a beautiful, durable cutting board that is handmade in the USA and built to last.
y Philosophy:My philosophy is simple: Keep it small. Keep it personal. Keep it high quality. Rather than chasing mass production, I intentionally keep Woods & Wax focused on craftsmanship. Every board receives individual attention throughout the entire process—from selecting hardwood to milling, routing, sanding, oiling, waxing, and final inspection. I believe customers should know that an actual craftsman—not an assembly line—built the product sitting in their kitchen.
hat I Build: My primary focus is solid hardwood cutting boards. Instead of expanding into dozens of unrelated woodworking products, I prefer to dedicate my time to continuously improving one product. There's an old saying: "Do one thing, and do it well." That philosophy guides everything I build. Every cutting board teaches me something new, allowing me to continually refine my process and improve the next one.
ood Species I Work With: I primarily build cutting boards using hardwood species that have long histories of kitchen use, including: Hard Maple Black Walnut Cherry I also work with select specialty hardwoods, including: Padauk Purpleheart White Oak Red Oak Each species offers unique characteristics in appearance, durability, hardness, and maintenance requirements.
y Finishing Process Every cutting board is finished by hand using a two-step food-safe process. First, each board is saturated with food-grade mineral oil, allowing the wood fibers to absorb moisture protection while enhancing the natural grain. After the oil has properly cured, I apply a food-safe cutting board wax by hand. This final layer helps protect the wood, slows moisture absorption, and keeps the surface looking its best with regular maintenance.
hy I Build by Hand While modern woodworking equipment has its place, I've chosen to keep my process centered around traditional handheld tools and hands-on craftsmanship. I enjoy being personally involved in every stage of production. Each board is shaped, sanded, finished, and inspected by me. Because every piece of hardwood is unique, no two cutting boards are ever exactly alike. Small variations in grain, color, and character are part of what make handcrafted woodworking special. Rather than trying to eliminate those natural differences, I embrace them. Every board tells its own story—and I consider that part of its beauty.
ooking Ahead My goal isn't to become the largest cutting board manufacturer. My goal is to become one of the most trusted. I want Woods and Wax to be known for quality, honesty, fair pricing, and products that families can enjoy for many years. When someone purchases a cutting board from Woods & Wax, I want them to know exactly who made it, why it was built, and the care that went into every step of the process.