After being made redundant three times in just two years, 36-year-old Tom Hughes decided he’d had enough of relying on unstable jobs and unpredictable employers. “It was like a constant reset,” Tom says. “I’d just start settling into a new role, and then the company would downsize or shut down. It knocked my confidence and made me realise—I needed to take control.”

With a young family to support and a shed full of unused tools, Tom turned to the one thing that had always brought him a sense of peace: working with wood. “I’ve always loved making things with my hands. I used to build bits for friends and family—coffee tables, shelving units, things like that.”

So, in early 2023, Tom officially launched Hughes & Timber, a one-man carpentry business focused on creating bespoke furniture pieces using reconditioned and reclaimed wood. What started as a side project from his garage soon turned into his full-time mission.

Crafting a New Path

With limited startup capital, Tom kept things lean. He sourced pallets, scaffolding boards, and salvaged oak from reclamation yards, and gave each piece new life—adding character, sustainability, and uniqueness to every item. From rustic dining tables to handcrafted TV units, his creations quickly found fans online.

He began sharing photos and time-lapse videos of his work on Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, and TikTok, leaning into the visual nature of his craft. “People love watching the transformation,” Tom says. “From rough, splintered planks to something beautiful and functional—it’s satisfying.”

He used:

• Canva to create branded posts and quotes

• CapCut and InShot for editing build videos

• Square for taking payments at markets and via social media

• Google Sheets to track costs and orders

• And Facebook Ads to reach local buyers looking for one-of-a-kind furniture

By mid-2024, Tom was regularly selling enough pieces each month to match a modest salary—and more importantly, he was doing something he loved.

The Struggles Behind the Scenes

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Tom admits that learning how to price his work, deal with customers, and manage social media were steep learning curves.

“I’m great at building, not necessarily business,” he laughs. “There were months where I undercharged or took on too much. But each mistake taught me something.”

He’s also had to balance the physical demands of carpentry with the pressures of being a husband and dad. “I’m still figuring out the work-life balance, especially with orders picking up. But being present for my family, while doing something I care about—that’s the real win.”

Looking to the Future

Tom’s next goal is to expand into garden furniture—benches, planters, outdoor dining sets—all made with the same reclaimed, rustic charm that defines his brand. He’s also exploring local artisan markets and pop-up stalls to reach more customers face-to-face.

“I don’t want to grow into a big company—I just want to build a sustainable, honest business that reflects who I am.”

His message for others facing job uncertainty? “Redundancy doesn’t have to be the end. It can be the beginning of something you build on your own terms. Start with what you know, use what you’ve got, and just take the first step.”