This week on AVD Inspire, I’m joined by the inspiring and grounded TJ Edmondson — President & Owner of Windsor Workshop and Co-Founder of Local Made Market. His story is a masterclass in following your gut, taking the leap, and building a life with your hands, your heart, and a whole lot of sawdust.
TJ’s journey began in the world of management consulting, racking up hotel loyalty points and living out of airport lounges. But when the pandemic hit, he swapped boardrooms for the woodshop, taking over one of North America’s most iconic furniture makers and carrying forward its legacy of handcrafted Windsor chairs.
His work has been featured in Country Living Magazine, House & Home, Style at Home, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Muskoka Life, Parks Canada, and Kabin Magazine — but beyond the press, it’s his commitment to preserving fine woodworking in Canada, mentoring the next generation of makers, and collaborating with other artisans that makes this conversation so special.
In this heart-to-heart filled with craft, community, and real talk, we get into:
– The leap from a secure corporate career to owning a heritage woodworking business
– How TJ found Windsor Workshop (yes, it involves a “business for sale” listing)
– Keeping 300-year-old joinery techniques alive in a modern market
– The realities of manufacturing high-quality furniture in Canada
– Building community among makers and why collaboration beats competition
– Launching Local Made Market and celebrating Canadian craftsmanship
– Balancing tradition with innovation to reach new audiences
– TJ’s personal grounding rituals (spoiler: sawdust and yoga)
Whether you’re a maker, a dreamer, or someone craving the courage to rewrite your story, this episode will remind you that your “one day” can start the moment you decide to build it.
Connect with TJ Edmondson
Want more of TJ’s world of craftsmanship, collaboration, and Canadian-made design? Follow him here:
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