Today we’d like to introduce you to John Hansen.
Hi John, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Following a challenging period in my life, I discovered woodworking, welding, and building furniture to be very therapeutic. It allowed me to escape to my shop, blend creativity with my love of problem-solving, and finally, have something tangible to show for my time. What initially started as a hobby quickly evolved into a profitable side hustle. I enjoy working with clients to design custom pieces for their homes or business that reflect who they are and fit perfectly in the space. Whenever possible, I opt for repurposed and sustainable materials, allowing me to create something unique and hopefully divert quality materials from ending up in a landfill. I started with a workbench and some basic tools and skills. I made many mistakes, but those helped me learn quickly, and luckily we live in a time where you can find answers to just about any question online! Through hours of work and reinvesting profits, I’ve created a shop capable of handling most jobs. I’m so grateful I had clients who trusted me to figure it out at the beginning.
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?
My business started in the basement of our home in Crestwood. When I started taking on commercial work, the logistics of creating a 19-foot conference table in a non-walkout basement required a lot of ingenuity. I dreamed of being able to load finished pieces directly into my truck for delivery.
In the Spring of 2021, my wife and I purchased a mid-century A-Frame church to turn it into our home (@aframerevival). While the interior renovations are nearing completion, the detached shop still has a couple of months of construction before I can finally become fully operational again. I miss not being able to go to the shop and focus all of my attention on building, but I’m thrilled to have a dedicated space. And my wife (my go-to assistant) is thrilled never to have to help me schlep a piece of furniture up to our old narrow basement steps again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love merging industrial elements with modern design to create a quality, timeless piece of furniture. While I enjoy building tables, I certainly don’t limit myself and love a challenge. Each piece is a problem-solving exercise – balancing aesthetics and function and blending the client’s vision with mine. When a part ends up in someone’s home, and I know they are thrilled with the result, I am beyond happy.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
As a child, I spent much time on woodworking projects with my father. Watching him taught me that if you’re willing to put in the work, there’s not much you can’t accomplish. I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands, and my dad instilled in me a desire to figure things out for myself and be self-reliant, though I’m certain I didn’t fully appreciate this at the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rebelcollectivestudio.com/
- Instagram: @rebelcollective and @aframerevival
