or Join Now! at that time ran the Brantford Wood Show. After eight years with this venture, they realized that their journey was leading them more towards publicity and away from the shows and so they sold the “Brantford Wood Show” business.
The purchaser of the Wood Show business happened to mention, during conversations, that she wouldn’t be able to run the show as well as produce her magazine and would have to sell the Canadian Woodworking Magazine business and, so, in 1999 Paul and Linda purchased the magazine.
The goal of the Fulchers was to use their connection made in the wood shows, their skills and interests in publishing to take the current magazine and make it a national publication. They wanted to work with Canadian writers and focus on the needs of woodworkers in Canada.
Two of the primary strategies to achieve their goal were to travel to all the wood shows, countrywide, to get their brand recognized and to work with a distributing company to get the magazine on the newsstands.
Today, the magazine is indeed available across the country and is published 6 times a year. The magazine is packed with tips, plans, tool review, and much more. Although the magazine is targeted for Canadian woodworkers, they have subscribers from around the world.
FAVOURITESThe best part of the business for Paul and Linda is knowing that they are able to help others achieve their goals. The feedback received from woodworkers at wood shows reinforces the positive impact the magazine is having.
The Fulchers also find it rewarding to empower their readers to network with others, not only learning from them but providing advice as well. For example, Paul says that when he gets a woodworking question in his emails, rather than simply answering the question, he directs them to the Canadian Woodworking online forum. Not only does he then get the reward of seeing the woodworkers join the forum and get the support they needed but before long they, themselves, become a resource to others, providing tips and strategies.
Paul & Linda go on to say that a third great pleasure is to see couples working together on projects, whether it is a “builder-finisher”, a “designer/builder” or “some other type of working relationship. They love seeing people share their passions, just as they do with their business.
THE FORUMThe Canadian Woodworking Forum has been part of the magazine since the beginning but it has seen a lot of changes in the past two years. They have over 2400 members and Paul is proud to point out that they can have over 500 members online at one time.
THE FUTURE“What is the vision for the future” is a frequently posed question at planning meetings. Their goals are to 1) draw from the knowledge of the woodworking community and to give back to it; 2) to provide information needed to help woodworkers develop their skills, their shops, and their dreams; and 3) to build better woodworkers.
TIPS FOR LUMBERJOCKS What tips do Paul and Linda have for the LumberJocks? A direct quote says it best: “Connect with the woodworking community, to both pass on your knowledge and benefit from the knowledge of others. By connecting with the woodworking community you will draw from the traditions of woodworking, which embrace basic skills and techniques. Share inspiration with others who share your love of wood.”
THANK YOUThanks to the Fulchers for the great magazine, for being a sponsor of LumberJocks’ Summer Awards Even, and for all they do to support woodworkers. - MsDebbieP
-- ~ Debbie, Canada ()
MsDebbieP
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A documentation of my woodworking journey as I try my hand a working with the wood.
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Lee A. Jesberger
6828 posts in 3641 days
#1 posted 09-08-2007 03:59 AM
Hi Ms. ddebbie;
Great article, but coming from the Director herself, what else could be expected.
Interesting, the paths life leads us on. Sure would be easier if we came with an owners manual, complete with a trouble shooting section.
Lee
LJ the LJ
-- by Lee A. Jesberger
Bob Babcock
1804 posts in 3747 days
#2 posted 09-08-2007 05:54 AM
Well done Deb.
I hear you on that one Lee. Be nice to have some directions to read.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker
Karson
35062 posts in 4062 days
#3 posted 09-08-2007 06:12 AM
Real men don’t need instructions.
I’ve got a T-Shirt that says that.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware soon moving to Virginia karsonwm@gmail.com †
#4 posted 09-08-2007 11:14 AM
if men had the instructions, they wouldn’t read them anyway.
thanks for the kind words :)
It’s interesting, as I write about the interviews, how many life lessons can be drawn from the conversations. I find, especially, that there are lots of tips about becoming a full-time woodworkers hidden amongst the “histories” of the companies.
WayneC
13155 posts in 3758 days
#5 posted 09-08-2007 02:17 PM
I would have thought the instructions would have been for the Men’s operators (women). I know for a fact that I have not read the instructions on how to operate the women in my life….
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
#6 posted 09-08-2007 02:19 PM
well.. there’s your problem!! perhaps you need to do more woodworking together, as suggested by the Fulchers, and you could get the instructions first hand rather than reading about them.. 