Robin Johnson speaks with Louis Rhoades of Louis Rhoades Studio about scaling a bespoke joinery business from a one man workshop to a structured, design led studio. They break down pricing to the penny, profitability between two and four staff, why growth from four to ten is brutal, and how value beats cost when you invest in CNC, spray finishing and FUGA Hydro substrates.

This episode tackles hospitality versus residential work, outsourcing risk, honest client communication, proportion in design, and the stress that comes with ambition. A direct conversation between two workshop owners on craftsmanship, margins, ethics and long term thinking in British furniture making.

Key Topics Covered

1. Scaling from solo maker to small team
2. Profitability at two to four staff versus four to ten
3. Day rate calculation using fixed and variable overheads
4. Hospitality niche versus high end residential pricing
5. Value versus cost in bespoke joinery
6. CNC machining, solid edge banding and spray booth investment
7. Hydro Fuga MDF and veneered construction
8. Design first process and shop drawings
9. Outsourcing risk and quality control
10. Proportion, symmetry and timeless furniture design
11. Stress, cash flow fear and business resilience

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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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Key Moments:

00:00 Scaling from one man workshop to small team

04:25 Why employing friends rarely works

08:09 Hospitality versus residential pricing realities

11:07 Value proposition and stepping away from tenders

24:58 Outsourcing failures and bringing processes in house

30:12 Investing in CNC and spray finishing for output and control

33:57 Calculating day rates and defining real value

45:15 Design ethics, legacy and avoiding disposable furniture

01:01:12 Hydro Fuga, veneering and modern wardrobe design

01:17:42 Craft standards, minor defects and client honesty

01:21:37 Advice to a younger self on stress and growth