Work It Wednesday - Jack Fouacre

If you haven't heard of the one, the only Jack Fouacre yet, otherwise known as Son of a Woodcutter, we're thrilled to be the ones introducing him to you. Trust us, you'll want to go shopping for some of his awesome products, ASAP. Discover how this forward thinking entrepreneur got his start on this version of Work It Wednesday!

1. First off, share a little about YOU. Who IS Jack Fouracre?

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Hello! My name is Jack Fouracre and I am the Son of a Woodcutter. I migrated to Canada from England around 7-8 years ago and I am now full settled here in Toronto. My work is my hobby but I also really enjoy cycling, motorsports, rugby, escapes outside of the city and travelling abroad.

2. What inspired you to start Son of a Woodcutter?

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When I first arrived in Toronto, I found it really expensive to rent and then furnish an apartment, so I was forced to come up with affordable alternatives and to build my own. I started by building a coffee table from an old pallet/skid that I found behind my apartment building. This also included finding used items and refinishing them. I was blessed to have witnessed my fathers’ woodworking as a child.

3. You've got quite a large following on Instagram. What would you say is the number ONE thing that helped you build such a loyal following?

Ultimately, it’s word of mouth. Strong words travel slowly but personal recommendations are invaluable. Good pictures come in close behind!

4. What's been one of the biggest challenges for you as an entrepreneur? How are you dealing with it? [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]

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It is difficult managing orders, customer relationships, administration, staff, workflow, deliveries and a million other things. As a sole proprietor, I can struggle to manage it all. Having a great team takes off a lot of the pressure and I am continuously looking at ways to streamline production and work as efficiently as possible. I am reading a number of books in order to develop a management strategy and schedule that works for me and my business. One book I can recommend is ‘The E Myth’ by Michael E. Gerber, it focuses on how to work ‘on the business’ whilst submerged ‘in the business.’ I think this is something that many entrepreneurs struggle with following the start-up stage.

5. You've always got such engaging content on your social media. Any tips for your fellow entrepreneurs?

With today’s cell phone, it is easy to take great pictures. Quality content is everything. We also like sharing a few trade tips and insights into the shop. Our followers enjoy it!

6. Where do you see your business headed in the next five years? [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]

We’re hoping for a bigger shop with bigger machines and the ability to ship throughout North America. Also, we are looking at incorporating newer technologies like CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machines to ensure speed and efficiency with productions runs. Although we will always strive to maintain that custom, hand-produced finish.

7. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self? [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]

I would tell myself to set aside more time for traveling and vacations. I always come back feeling so refreshed and ready to perform but I often leave it over six months with no more than a Sunday to relax. Listen more and seek out a mentor. If you look up any ‘Top Ten Tips for Entrepreneurs’ list, finding a mentor is always there. I am still looking for one that I can really look up to.

8. Who's your biggest idol and why? [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]

Haha – same as I mentioned above, I am still on the hunt. Being British, Richard Branson is up there and I have read at least one of his books. Any suggestions?

9. How do you and your team #workit everyday?

I always plan my week on Sunday evenings and Monday mornings always start with a team meeting to look at the week ahead. Knowing what’s ahead really helps get deep into on a daily basis. There is always the enticement of a cold beer in the fridge when we finish at 5pm ;).,9ll=]