Today we’d like to introduce you to PJ Fetscher.
Hi PJ, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The beginnings of most woodworker/maker types are all similar. Simply put, it’s a passion born of necessity.
Renovating a foreclosed starter home, I’d budgeted for the actual reno.. but not the furniture.
I made my first dining table, got a few compliments on it from friends, and was encouraged to try selling it on Craigslist.
Long story short, it sold after being listed for only 3 hours. Then, as you can imagine, I no longer had a dining table which meant I was immediately building another.
I haven’t stopped building things for 16 years.
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?
Everyone has their own definition and range of tolerance for struggle. I’ve never struggled with physical capability, the desire to improve, or the imagination to create.
The only struggle worthy of mention is that of self worth.
I’ve been hired to build things all over the country, I’ve done a whole season of a home renovation TV show, I currently work with an internationally respected interior designer, and I build custom pieces for a multinational furniture/design company.
Sounds great, right? Any normal woodworker would assume they’ve truly made it at this point. Regardless, I often feel like I’m only playing a character who has no authority off-screen.
I’m getting better, though. Even typing the previous few sentences seemed a little less truthful than in previous years.
Struggles aren’t meant to be permanent.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a career educator. I’ve been teaching high school for 17 years and have heard the countless complaints regarding how substandard the salary is. I made a decision during my 1st year of teaching that I’d take full advantage of the calendar and work like any other successful business owner. All day. Everyday.
When I get home from school, I get right into the shop and make progress on multiple fronts. I’ll stop to eat dinner and either pass out, or go back out to finish something. 9/10 it’s the latter.
I build custom furniture.. but the things I’m most proud of are my children.
Here’s that self-worth nonsense coming back to haunt this article again: I cannot fathom how these two perfect, smart, creative, funny kids share genetic information with me. I know I deserve them and I know that they’re amazing, in-part, because I’m here nurturing them but seriously.. gosh.. how!? Nothing will ever top how proud I am of them.
The one thing I hope they learn from me is the same thing that currently sets me apart from others. Persistence.
I need them to know that If you truly want something, do not, under any circumstances, stop. Ever.
What were you like growing up?
Oof.. first of all, I’m STILL growing up. I still do a lot of the same things I did as a kid which is probably why I’m all of my current and former students’ favorite teacher.
Honestly, I was an extremely shy, self-conscious, self-aware kid. It makes me mad that I never had anyone like adult PJ to sit me
down and tell me that everything is going to be alright if I’d just choose myself first instead of trying to please literally everyone.
I had friends but I was always waiting for the moment they’d betray me, let me down, or abandon me. That was a huge waste of time and all of those awful thoughts ultimately came to fruition through my own doing. Manifestation is a real thing, kids. Be careful with how much energy you put into the thought of negative outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pj_fetscher
