Will Sampson talks about his lifelong love affair with learning new things. His guest is Marc Adams, founder of the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, one of the premier woodworking education centers in the United States, which has taught some 50,000 students over the years.
This episode of the Woodworking Network podcast was sponsored by FDMC magazine. FDMC magazine is your vital source of information to improve your woodworking business. Whether it is keeping you apprised of the latest advances in manufacturing, helping you solve your wood technology problems with Gene Wengert, or inspiring you with case histories about successful businesses and best practices, FDMC magazine is there to be the sharpest business tool in your shop. Learn more and subscribe for free at woodworkingnetwork.com/fdmc.
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Intro music courtesy of Anthony Monson.
Intro:
Welcome to this episode of the Woodworking Network Podcast. Join us as we explore the business of woodworking big and small and what it takes to succeed. I’m Will Sampson.
Today’s episode is sponsored by FDMC magazine. Today my guest is Marc Adams, founder of the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, one of the premier woodworking education centers in the United States. We’re going to talk the school and woodworking education. But first I want to talk about:
Learn to live, live to learn
By William Sampson
They say one of the best ways to stay young is to never stop learning. I’ve always embraced that philosophy with wonder and joy at learning new things. Sometimes the goal is learning as a means to an end, like learning how to program a CNC. Other times it’s learning just for the sake of exploring a new world.
That kind of learning has taken me down all sorts of paths to learn all sorts of skills. I’ve often told people that I have the “making disease” — anything I get involved with I have to learn to make something related to it. Some of that making has just been fun, but a lot of it led to business ventures. I first learned business skills when I started a small bicycle repair service on a college campus. Then I picked up metalworking skills and launched another business that went nationwide building custom bicycle frames. Those two businesses paid for my college education.
I’ve been involved in reporting, writing, and editing since high school. Journalism is all about learning and curiosity. You also have to do a lot of questioning and digging to discover what really matters. After years of covering crime, courts, entertainment, business and politics and even helping to put one politician in jail, I learned my true calling was helping people who make things succeed in business.
But when it comes to learning, I just can’t help myself. In woodworking, I started by making toys for myself as a child. I’ve learned to build furniture, musical instruments, cabinets, archery bows, gunstocks, turning work, CNC machining, timber framing, and carpentry. In metalworking, I do blacksmithing, casting, gunsmithing, welding, and precision machining. I’ve even made golf clubs.
Probably, the toughest job interview question I was ever asked was from Paul Roman, the founder of Fine Woodworking magazine. I was applying to be the editor of his magazine. He looked at all the stuff I’d done, and he asked me, “Are you an enthusiast or a dilettante?” I wanted to tell him I was a Renaissance Man, but that seemed pretentious. Instead, I said, “I’m an enthusiast with many enthusiasms.” He hired me, so I guess it was the right answer.
Whether you learn with a specific goal in mind or for the shear joy and wonder of adding new things to your bank of knowledge and skills, I strongly believe it’s good for you. It keeps your brain functioning, your hands busy, and multiplies your opportunities not only to improve your own lot in life but also to improve the world around you.
Learn to live, live to learn, and make something of yourself by making something tangible with what you learn. Help others find their way to learning. I’ve found the best learners are also teachers, dedicated and excited to share what they have learned.
Be an enthusiast with many enthusiasms! As Robert A Heinlein wrote, “Specialization is for insects!”
I want to get to our interview with Marc Adams, but first a word from our sponsor.
FDMC magazine is your vital source of information to improve your woodworking business. Whether it is keeping you apprised of the latest advances in manufacturing, helping you improve efficiency with lean manufacturing guru Brad Cairns, or inspiring you with case histories about successful businesses and best practices, FDMC magazine is there to be the sharpest business tool in your shop. Learn more and subscribe for free at woodworkingnetwork.com/fdmc.
Now, let’s talk with Marc.