In this solo episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson answers three of the questions he gets asked most about building Johnson Bespoke: how the business grew, how he manages a team and clients, and how the company wins high value joinery projects. Robin shares how Johnson Bespoke expanded from himself and one employee to a team of 20 working across five workshops, with specialist facilities for CNC machining, veneer production and finishing.
Robin explains the financial decisions behind that growth, including reinvesting profits, living frugally during the early years, pricing machinery into projects and eventually using asset finance to invest in major equipment such as a five axis CNC. Every significant investment is assessed against its operating costs, staffing requirements, production capacity and potential return.
Key Topics Covered
✦ How Johnson Bespoke grew from two people to a team of 20 across five workshops
✦ Reinvesting business profits into machinery, facilities and people
✦ Using asset finance and financial modelling to fund business growth
✦ Bringing CNC machining, veneering and finishing under one roof
✦ Hiring specialists and building a business that can operate without the founder doing everything
✦ Managing architects, interior designers and private clients on high value projects
✦ Selling craftsmanship, reliability and service instead of competing on price
✦ Winning joinery work through referrals, targeted outreach, workshop tours, trade shows and video
Check out Johnson Bespoke here: https://www.johnsonbespoke.co.uk/
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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.
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Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: / @yoursforthemakingpodcast
Key Moments:
0:00 How Johnson Bespoke grew and why Robin specialised in joinery
02:30 Reinvesting every penny of profit back into the business
03:46 Pricing machinery into projects to fund organic growth
05:00 The sacrifices behind building an in house production business
07:14 Using asset finance to invest in a five axis CNC
09:00 Why quality, cost and timelines became three non negotiables
10:46 Solving production bottlenecks with a professional spray facility
14:26 Why Robin deliberately hires people who are better than him
15:30 Robin's vision for the future of Johnson Bespoke
17:58 Growing from two people to 20 across five workshops
19:00 Building a team that allows the founder to step away
22:07 Managing architects, designers and high value clients
26:06 Selling value instead of competing on price
29:48 Targeted outreach that helped Johnson Bespoke win work
37:06 Using podcasts and video to build trust and attract clients
