Robin Johnson speaks with Ben Goldsmith from Design Woodcraft Ltd about building a timber and furniture business without a clear plan. Ben started with no tools, no strategy, and no formal direction, then grew the company through consistent work and curiosity. The conversation focuses on how the business developed into a sustainable operation, milling its own timber, tracking carbon impact, and working with high profile hospitality clients. This episode gives a grounded view of how a creative business can grow through action rather than planning, and where that approach creates both opportunity and limitations.

Key Topics Covered:

• Starting a business with no plan or formal training
• Moving from kitchen work into woodworking and furniture making
• How Design Woodcraft Ltd grew through trial and consistency
• Building a sustainable timber supply chain from log to finished product
• Milling timber, air drying processes, and cost advantages
• Carbon tracking and creating low impact furniture products
• Working with hospitality clients and high end restaurants
• Why word of mouth growth limits scale
• The challenge of marketing a craft based business
• Creating recurring revenue through maintenance services
• Plans to expand workshop capacity and increase turnover

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Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Ben Goldsmith and Design Woodcraft Ltd

02:47 Starting with no tools and no clear plan

07:52 Years of operating without strategy or structure

14:27 Carbon tracking and sustainability in furniture production

23:01 Milling timber and cost advantages

26:00 Full control of supply chain from log to product

29:54 Limits of word of mouth growth

37:23 Creating a recurring revenue service model

41:03 Challenges with marketing and content

1:00:49 Advice on creativity and exploration

Robin Johnson speaks with Paul Drake from JDO Ltd, a global branding agency working with brands such as Dove and Shell, to break down how branding actually works. This conversation focuses on emotional response, visual identity, and why strong brands win attention and trust. Paul explains how design influences perception, how storytelling drives value, and why consistency matters more than originality in many cases. They also examine the real impact of AI on creative industries, from branding and product design to customer experience.

Key Topics Covered

• How global brands build emotional connection through design
• Why branding is about psychology not just visuals
• The role of storytelling in premium product positioning
• How distinctive shapes and visual cues drive brand recognition
• Case study of luxury packaging and high value products
• The real process behind building a brand identity
• How AI is changing branding, design, and creative work
• Practical use of AI in engineering, product development, and training
• The balance between human creativity and automation
• Career advice for entering branding, design, and creative industries

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Paul Drake and global branding work

01:11 How branding projects begin and how agencies build brand identity

02:05 Career path into branding and design industry

03:00 Emotional response and how brands influence perception

05:12 Why storytelling drives value in creative work

07:33 Brand consistency and why it builds long term trust

10:39 Visual cues, shapes, and consumer behaviour

12:36 Case study of Mermaid gin and packaging design success

16:30 Building a global branding agency and creative partnerships

19:43 What makes a product visually distinctive

23:06 Designing furniture and creating a recognisable style

27:04 The economics of design, production, and scalability

31:58 CAD, CNC, and technical challenges in manufacturing

36:41 AI in design and the future of creative industries

41:55 Automation, jobs, and the future of work

44:34 Can AI replace creativity and brand thinking

49:03 Limits of AI in product design and real world application

53:05 AI in engineering and medical innovation

57:08 Technology as a tool to extend human capability

1:03:08 Human interaction versus automation in daily life

1:10:21 How to get into branding and design careers

1:28:15 Advice for younger self and building confidence

Robin Johnson sits down with Paddy Piggott to break down how he went from washing dishes during a recession to opening one of Hastings’ most well known bars.

Paddy shares how he started with no qualifications, worked his way through kitchens and bars, and spotted the opportunity to open the Dragon Bar. He explains the reality of building a venue from an empty 1820 storage unit, digging out the basement by hand, and creating a space that has lasted over 20 years.

This conversation focuses on what it takes to run a bar long term. Paddy talks through staffing challenges, rising costs, regulations, and why the industry is harder now than when he started. He also explains why bars succeed or fail, and why creating the right atmosphere matters more than anything else.

Alongside the business, Paddy shares stories from years behind the bar, the culture of Hastings, and why risk, travel, and experience matter more than playing it safe.

Key Topics Covered

• Starting in hospitality with no qualifications during a recession
• Working in kitchens and bars and learning through experience
• The culture and late night scene at Harper’s in Hastings
• Opening the Dragon Bar and finding the right location
• Renovating an empty unit and building the bar by hand
• Creating a space that attracts loyal customers and strong staff
• Managing staff and building a team with personality and energy
• The financial reality of running a bar and rising operating costs
• Regulations, taxes, and why the industry is harder today
• Differences between running a bar and a restaurant
• Why atmosphere and experience drive repeat customers
• The impact of social media and changing nightlife culture
• Lessons from travel, risk taking, and personal growth

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Paddy Piggott and early career

00:34 Starting work as a dishwasher during a recession

01:31 Harper’s bar and late night culture in Hastings

03:44 Changes in nightlife and social behaviour over time

08:17 Decision to open the Dragon Bar

10:10 Finding the location and securing the lease

12:30 Renovating the space and building the bar

14:05 Designing the bar and creating long lasting features

17:10 Running the kitchen and building a reputation for food

20:10 Staff culture and hiring the right people

26:39 Why opening a bar today is harder than before

28:22 Rising costs and the economics of running a bar

37:26 Buying and rebuilding Fagan’s restaurant

45:19 Why bars are more viable than restaurants

50:13 Social media and changing customer behaviour

52:50 Memorable stories from behind the bar

1:01:05 Advice to his 18 year old self

Robin Johnson reflects on one year of Yours for the Making and the journey behind building his business, Johnson Bespoke.

Starting in his father’s workshop, Robin developed a hands on approach to making from an early age. He went on to study surf science, where he learned critical thinking, before working at Quiksilver and gaining insight into retail and customer behaviour. After a period in teaching design and technology, he made the decision to leave and start his own business.

In this episode, Robin shares the reality of building a creative business from scratch. He talks through early struggles with pricing, inconsistent work, and poor financial management. He explains how losing a major project during COVID forced a reset, and how focusing on joinery and controlling costs allowed the business to recover and grow.

He also reflects on hiring key people, building a skilled team, and setting a clear direction for the company. This is a direct account of building a business through mistakes, pressure, and long term thinking.

Key Topics Covered

• One year of podcasting and lessons from creative guests
• Early exposure to making and learning through experimentation
• Studying surf science and developing critical thinking
• Working at Quicksilver and understanding retail behaviour
• Teaching design and technology and working in private education
• Starting Johnson Bespoke and early business challenges
• Financial mistakes and lessons from COVID disruption
• Why focusing on joinery improved profitability
• Hiring key people and building a strong team
• Scaling a creative business and working with global designers
• Long term ambition to build a leading joinery company
• Personal growth through podcasting and reflection

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 One year of podcasting and purpose of the solo episode

01:14 Early making experiences and learning through experimentation

03:25 Studying surf science and developing critical thinking

07:16 Teaching design and technology and working in schools

12:04 Starting Johnson Bespoke and early struggles

15:15 Taking on major projects and facing COVID disruption

19:04 Financial mistakes and learning to manage numbers

21:41 Hiring Richard Muddyman and scaling the business

26:35 Building high end joinery and working with designers

31:42 Podcast growth and building a personal brand

36:12 Advice to his 18 year old self and mindset

Robin Johnson speaks with furniture designer Katie Walker and designer Charlie Dedman about the collaboration behind Meon Furniture and the realities of modern British furniture making. The conversation explores design for manufacture, steam bending ash timber, CNC machining, sustainable forestry and the business decisions behind heirloom furniture. They discuss the shift from studio craft to batch production, the value of workshop knowledge, and the importance of constant product improvement through feedback and testing. The episode also examines the role of British timber, the impact of ash dieback on forestry, and the challenge of building furniture that will last for decades rather than years.

Key Topics Covered

1. Furniture design collaboration between Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman
2. The launch and vision of the Meon Furniture brand
3. Steam bending ash timber in chair making
4. Design for manufacture and batch production
5. CNC machining in modern furniture workshops
6. British ash timber and the impact of ash dieback
7. Sustainable furniture production and responsible forestry
8. B Corp certification and ethical manufacturing
9. Furniture product development and continuous improvement
10. The difference between studio craft and commercial manufacturing
11. Building heirloom furniture designed to last generations

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman

01:23 Origins of the Meon Furniture collaboration

02:15 Katie Walker’s design education and Royal College background

07:23 Designing furniture for CNC manufacture

10:33 Learning woodworking skills through hands on training

13:48 Steam bending ash timber for chair design

17:21 Why ash timber is used for interior furniture

18:52 British ash, forestry and ash dieback

23:17 The history and reputation of Gaze Burvill furniture

29:11 Designing joinery that reduces manufacturing time

31:33 Designing sculptural furniture versus designing for production

37:35 Product development and improving furniture over time

41:27 Designing heirloom furniture built to last generations

45:26 Launch strategy for Meon Furniture

49:12 Why chair making is one of the hardest furniture disciplines

50:48 Advice to younger designers entering the craft industry