Blueprint Woodcraft
Blueprint Woodcraft
Against the grain
Essex’s Canvey Island based bespoke furniture maker Blueprint Woodcraft explains how business support service Backing Essex Business has helped them to evaluate their business, align their goals, and make connections to push the business forward.
Blueprint Woodcraft create bespoke, made to order wooden furniture and home accessory items to add a special touch to any home or business. A cut above the rest, Blueprint combines carpentry with art, to create unique pieces that are as much artwork as they are furniture. Traditionally made from Oak, Walnut or Olive wood, and then crafted with resin to create their signature ‘river’ of colour, Blueprint have carved themselves a place into an exclusive and niche market.
Blueprint Woodcraft was formed in 2021 by woodwork enthusiast Alex Dziakun and budding artist Anastasia Olescenko. After a successful 15 year career working in construction, Alex had developed a strong passion for woodwork, and after the birth of their twins, Anastasia and Alex decide to combine their passions, turning what was a family hobby into a start-up business.
“Our products are something that our clients appreciate, it isn’t just a table you pick up off a shelf, its art. The most beautiful thing about it is you get to create something unique that’s just for you, and you're basically creating your own table with someone else’s hands”
Anastasia Olescenko
Recognising a market for unique pieces, in both private residences and within hospitality businesses, the team have already started to get their name out there through their website and social media platforms, and fulfilled orders for the Milsom Hotel Group in Essex and Bakery Station in Romford.
Although now operating at around a 50/50 split between private and corporate orders, the team are certain that moving forward their products will remain available for both private commissions and B2B.
“I don’t think we would ever reach the point where we stop serving private clients. Alex is creating such beautiful stuff, and whether it’s a coffee table, some coasters, a cheeseboard, a conference table for an office, or a bar top for a restaurant, for us, everyone should be able to enjoy our products.”
As with any start-up business, Alex and Anastasia have had to overcome challenges. As a new, and quite niche business, and the only one of its kind in the area, they had to work hard to make a name for themselves and let people know they were there. As a bespoke product, in a time when for some disposable income was diminished, they had concerns that demand would be low, but thankfully despite some troughs, there have also been peaks, as many looked to exchange holidays for home improvements. Anastasia's previous job background, also worked in their favour, as some administrative & marketing experience gave her the ideas of how to reach out to their potential business clientele, which has resulted in some orders.
Seeing the wood through the trees
Whilst the creativity and design flair is certainly no issue to the duo, the complexities of running a business was something that Alex and Anastasia felt they were in need of some advice on. Meeting Business Advisory Manager from Backing Essex Business Robert Laurie at the Networking Essex Business Expo in Colchester, they started a conversation that helped provide some direction for the business.
Backing Essex Business is a business support programme, funded by Essex County Council and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group, that provides FREE support and advice to businesses in Essex. This programme offers support with strategy, financial planning and recruitment, alongside guidance to access business funding. The experience team of Business Advisory Managers can provide impartial advice to help overcome challenges and enable business growth.
Robert from Backing Essex Business provided Blueprint with a full evaluation of the business, highlighting areas for potential growth, looking at the business finances, and signposting useful connections that would help the business to move forward. He also recommended that they sign up to the organisations Group2Grow Peer network programme, helping them to discuss their challenges with other likeminded local business professionals and to make connections with other businesses in the county.
“Robert and I organised a meeting at our workshop. After he evaluated our workspace we spent a good few hours discussing the challenges we’re facing. Robert was very helpful in terms of advising on how to deal with some of the difficulties. I made a list of the questions I needed to ask and after a couple of days we received an email from Robert with all the answers and supporting links and referrals.”
Carving the future
Keen to keep moving forward, Blueprint have distinct plans to expand their reach across the UK, starting with London. Already becoming a household name in Essex, the team are focused on attending exhibitions and trade shows, and reaching out to Interior Designers with the aim of becoming a specified product in their projects. They have also recently launched a Woodworking Masterclass, providing participants the opportunity to learn their techniques whilst creating their own chopping board.
“We want Blueprint Woodcraft to grow and be recognised in the market. We’re working towards the direction of becoming a well known brand in say three years down the line, the kind of brand people search for.
We are learning as we go and surely there are always challenges along the way, but there is no growth without mistakes and overcoming difficulties, because at the end of the day it builds you into who you are what and you believe in. And right now we are very proud of what we have achieved so far.”
To find out more about Blueprint Woodcraft visit the website www.blueprintwoodcraft.com
