09/21/2026
I turned 40 on Saturday. Here’s what I’ve learned thus far in craft and in life:
1. I spent most of my life trying to be “impressive”. Whether that was in my profession, hobbies, or personal development, I put a lot of energy into trying to demonstrate excellence to command respect. As I’ve started a family and become a father, I realized all that doesn’t matter. It’s all a means to an end to do the best I can for the people that rely on me. They don’t care about my joinery or my professional accomplishments, they care about the time I spend with them and my ability to be present for them.
2. I’m not a Japanese woodworker. Seems obvious. I’m not Japanese, mostly Singaporean and Indonesian of Chinese descent. I’m not apprenticed. I have little professional training. I make nice things for folks at a fairly high level that sometimes get attention on the internet. I’ve failed, a lot, and through that I deduce how to be successful… mostly. Why is this important? Self awareness can be freeing. Not being a professional or bound to strict cultural and professional standards allows me to experiment, to do things uniquely where others can’t.
3. Speaking of failure, it’s okay. Even with a brand that showcases failures and frustrations, this is mostly still a highlight reel of my work. You don’t get to see all the blades I’ve cracked, the first attempts at joinery that haven’t worked out, or how I procrastinate on doing something for a year just because I think it’s going to be difficult. Wood craft for me has been an escape from the real things in life: grief, heartache, and disappointment. When I feel like I’m confronting that in my work, the work is no longer an escape but just another venue to face it. When that happens, I’d rather be golfing. I’m working on that.
Have fun and push yourself. Be kind to yourself and those you love.
Special shout out to Steve Kamb and his book “How To Try Again” for giving me more perspective on how to get back up after failing and being a better me for me through it all.
