Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon-Paul Ragusa.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started making things from wood when I was in my early teens and was always around tools and construction equipment. My grandmother did the design on the house that I grew up in Eagle Rock and my dad built it when I was very young. Even though I could barely lift a hammer, I was immersed in the process and helped out in any way I could. Eventually, my father would take me to side jobs with him on weekends, and even though it was tough waking up so early as a 12-year-old, I managed to stay awake long enough to see real craftsmen do their thing. My skills later evolved into making wood launch ramps for the neighborhood skateboarders and doing my first kitchen at 18 years old. I started my first woodworking business a couple of years later, and the rest is history! Along the way, I have learned the fine art of woodworking, understanding clients’ needs, and building heirloom products that can be passed from generation to generation.
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?
There are always obstacles when doing any craft. Balancing the love of the process and the need to make a living can be difficult at times. Finding great employees is also very important and the need to focus on the mission statement of the company. While the process of making cabinets and furniture have not changed much, the automation and equipment sure has. Transitioning to CNC for cutting of cabinets was an expensive and time-consuming process, but it has kept my company competitive and the leading edge in the fabrication of wood products.
As you know, we’re big fans of Evergreen Woodcraft. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Evergreen Woodcraft is a California-licensed millwork contractor specializing in custom kitchens and furniture. We are located in beautiful Glendale, CA and service the greater Los Angeles area. We design and build all our cabinets in-house with state-of-the-art equipment and craftsmanship. At Evergreen, only sustainable wood is used for our cabinets and reclaimed lumber as much as possible. We can also help with your projects by cutting multiple parts very quickly, laser engraving, wood turning and hand-carving. At Evergreen Woodcraft, we have mastered the integration of technology with old-world techniques and standards.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can find us all over the web at all the major social networking sites. The easiest way to reach us is our website at www.evergreenwoodcraft.com and fill out the contact form. A representative will respond by the next day. Our on-site cabinet engineer can help with your wildest ideas!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.evergreenwoodcraft.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evergreen7264/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evergreenwood2020
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evergreen-woodcraft-inc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvergreenWoodcraft-ui2ex/featured
