Jonathan Orpin: New Energy Works / Pioneer Millworks

The Woodpreneur Podcast

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Jonathan Orpin, CEO and founder of New Energy Works and Pioneer Millworks. Jonathan shares his journey of starting and growing his companies. He discusses the challenges of being an entrepreneur and deciding to move from New York to Portland. He also talks about the impact of the 2008 recession on his business and the strategies they implemented to survive and thrive. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of building relationships with clients and the value of word-of-mouth referrals. He also highlights the triple-bottom-line approach to business, focusing on people, the planet, and profit. Jonathan shares his experience of transitioning to an employee-owned company and the benefits it brings. He concludes by discussing his plans and the importance of finding the right people for his team.

Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurs often need to step back from day-to-day operations to gain a fresh perspective and explore new opportunities.
• Navigating a recession requires creativity, resilience, and adaptability.
• Building strong relationships with clients and delivering high-quality work leads to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Adopting a triple bottom line approach to business, focusing on people, the planet, and profit, can lead to long-term success.
• Transitioning to an employee-owned company can empower employees and create a sense of ownership and accountability.
• Finding the right people for your team is crucial for business growth and success.

Chapters:

00:00 From New York to Portland: A Journey of Entrepreneurship

02:14 Surviving and Thriving Through the 2008 Recession

04:26 Building Relationships and Word-of-Mouth Referrals

08:05 The Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, and Profit

13:15 The Benefits of Employee Ownership

Join the Woodpreneur Network and Community at Woodpreneur.com or Woodpreneurnetwork.com

Connect with Jonathan at:

2 COMPANIES :

https://www.instagram.com/newenergyworks/

https://www.instagram.com/pioneermillworks/