Life & Work with Thomas Harvey of Conifer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Harvey

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was always creating things as a kid, making was just what I did. In college I started out pursuing a degree in sculpture, but finished up in industrial design. I do neither and both of these now in the daily work of creating custom doors and other furnishings. Along the way I have had the opportunity of knowing and learning from many great craftspeople in various disciplines, all with the same desire to do the best work possible.
I started my own business while finishing college, making things for friends and family. I say business, but really I was self employed for about 15 years. In the last 8 or 9 years I have been much more intentional about creating a true business, with the goal of creating freedom within that structure, and providing for other craftspeople to work at a high level and make a good living. I have had the privilege of knowing and being mentored by several great business people as part of this. If anyone is looking for good business coaching and support, I can’t recommend 3to5 Club enough.
Because of some serious health and circumstantial issues, I am currently working on rebuilding the business, while still focusing on excellence in design and craft. I have come to see doing business as so much more than making money. It truly is making money work for people, carrying on human relationships that serve everyone involved.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth! Aside form the normal rigors of starting running any business there have been many challenges. To name a few, Covid (we all felt that one), moving into new shop spaces only to find out they were filled with mold and making everyone sick, unreliable landlords, etc.
Sometimes I feel like Scott Sterling. We’re still alive and we won! (if you’re wondering, look up “Scott Sterling Soccer” its worth the three minutes.)

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner and main designer for Earthwood Design. We focus on creating delightful doors and other furnishings from beautiful wood. We are artisans in the truest sense, curious, sensitive to the overall and the details, committed to excellence and beauty. We focus on showing off the glory and beauty of the materials we work with. I love hiring and working with people who are better than I am.
Our doors are truly functional art. Doors have become a great niche, they are technically demanding, and can be incredibly expressive. There are wonderful and amazing neurological effects walking through a great door, they transport you to another place. A picture is worth a thousand words, and an experience is worth a million pictures. Our doors have substance and character, I’ve literally witnessed people tear up walking through them. Part of this is the haptics, part is the beauty. We focus on the feel and experience of the door as much as the look.
What sets us apart? Its hard to say, but I know that no one else is doing what we do.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advise to those starting out in creative fields is not to worry about originality. That will come. Focus on purpose. Pursue excellence, people will notice. Stop looking at the internet so much and find experts to get to know. The internet is full of early and mid career work, its hard to find masters.

For those in business, focus on people. Get into a good business support/coaching group. I personally benefitted tremendously from 3to5 Club. Chuck Blakeman is a master at simple systems to help you move ahead rapidly. Throw away the doors stop business plan, the SBA is designed around debt, you need to pursue profit.

Pricing:

• Everything is custom
• How long is a rope?
• $10k-$110k

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.earthwooddesign.com
• Instagram: @earthwooddenver
• Youtube: @earthwooddesignco

Image Credits
photos 1 and 2-Jason Schell, Certified Lean Productions
all others- Thomas Harvey