“It’s funny how you think you know everything at 17-years old: what you want to do, what your life will look like, how it’s all going to go. And then one day, you wake up and realize that all this time, you’ve had no clue. Like most people, I spent my high school years worrying about what everyone else thought. I had a couple of really great friends, but I was quiet and shy and didn’t rock the boat. I studied, got good grades, and thought I’d be teaching kids for the rest of my life. Gosh, if the high school version of myself could see the today version, I’m not sure she’d recognize her.
I went to college and got a degree in education, just like I said I was going to, and then decided, ‘Nope–this isn’t what I want,’ and found myself in the middle of the business world, without a clue of what I was doing. Eventually, I became confident in my work, in my abilities, and in myself. I was in Human Resources for years, spending my day talking and getting to know others, forcing myself to become outgoing. Do I still care what others think? Sure–I mean, who doesn’t? But I’ve also come to know my worth and realize what’s important in life, and to let go of the things that aren’t. I’ve learned what it means to work hard for what you want (both professionally and personally), and the importance of just being your true self.
While I do work a “day job” for a really fantastic local company, I own and operate a small business alongside my high school sweetheart, Matt. Our business is Sawdust Sixty-Six, and it was a dream of mine since I was pregnant with our son in 2015 and couldn’t find what I wanted for his nursery. With the help of Matt, we created my entire vision with a couple of hand tools in our garage. Since then, we’ve upgraded to a CNC and laser machine, and I run the business pretty close to full-time. I work with wood, acrylic, 3-D printing materials, leather, metal, you name it! I love that the business allows me to be creative in so many different ways, and lets me get to know a lot of people while creating really fun items for their homes, weddings, and loved ones. Most importantly, it lets me be a hands-on, active mom of our two small young children, the one thing that I’ve always wanted more than anything else.
These past two years have been huge for us: we’re shipping all over the county, operate a website, and have grown immensely in terms of product, quality, quantity, and vision. One of my favorite projects was a handwritten cutting board that I was able to create using handwriting from a local husband and wife, who had recently passed away in a motorcycle accident. Their daughter brought me a copy of a journal that her mom wrote in, an old birthday card and some measurements that her dad had jotted down on a scrap piece of paper. By combining those elements, I was able to create a cutting board for her little sister’s wedding day .It was a simple piece of wood that meant so much to so many people at the wedding, and allowed their mom and dad to be there in a slightly different way.
If your life turns out looking completely different than you thought it would, embrace the change–it’s exactly where you’re meant to be. Be yourself, and everything will fall into place if you’re willing to put in the effort and hard work. Be proud to come from GNA, because so many great people have walked those halls and will continue to do so. And remember that success is a loaded word that can mean so many different things. I feel like I’m successful because I wake up every morning to two small faces smiling back at me, faces that know love and give love in return. Matt and I work hard for the life that we have. We push forward, continue to grow and learn, and give back when we can. I think that’s pretty successful.”
Stephanie Littleford Forgach, 2006
Business Owner, Sawdust Sixty-Six
