Episode
Eric Freed, E & K Vintage Wood
- Podcast
- The Woodpreneur Podcast
- Published
- Mar 5, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2160
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://stevekex.podbean.com/e/eric-freed-e-k-vintage-wood/
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Summary
Sometimes the best business opportunities come from the most unexpected places. A background in real estate doesn't seem like the obvious path to running a thriving reclaimed wood company, but that's exactly how one entrepreneur built a multimillion-dollar timber business. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Eric Freed of E & K Vintage Wood to explore his remarkable journey from real estate into the reclaimed wood industry. Eric shares how he discovered opportunities in salvaged timber during the 2008 recession and grew his business from a side project into a 24-employee operation that's moving to a larger facility to meet growing demand. You'll hear about the explosive growth E & K Vintage Wood has experienced, including building a social media following of 100,000 on Instagram that has expanded their customer base nationwide. Eric discusses their top-selling products like box beams, the importance of offering customization to meet diverse client needs, and the quality standards that have kept them problem-free for 15 years. He also shares stories from notable projects for high-profile clients including the San Francisco 49ers and Google. This conversation explores the challenges of sourcing quality reclaimed wood in a competitive market, the sustainability practices and chain of custody considerations that guide their operations, and how certification plays a role in their business model. Eric reflects on the lessons learned from navigating industry challenges and shares his excitement about future plans, including ramping up flooring production in their new facility and continuing to innovate their product offerings. Whether you're interested in the reclaimed wood business, building a sustainable timber company, or…