He opened his own avant-garde furniture workshop through Start-Up Nation 2017. How he succeeded and what Iulian Apostol advises future entrepreneurs in the furniture industry (INTERVIEW)

Iulian Apostol, MDI Wood Ideas: The hardest was the waiting. Hopes and expectations are high, mixed with the fear and uncertainty of the unknown. It's very important to choose your partners carefully

Iulian Apostol, a young man with vision from Bucharest, stepped into the field of woodworking convinced that the production would ensure him a bright future. Although it was an unfamiliar field for him, Iulian had the ambition and courage to open his own business in furniture production with financing through Start-Up Nation 2017.

We went to the MDI Wood Ideas workshop and had a chat with Iulian. Enthusiastic and excited, a little on the run because we interviewed him during one of the breaks at the office, Iulian told us how he got into this field, where his passion for wood comes from, what were his first steps in the industry and what were the problems he faced in the Start-Up Nation program.

And because one of the secrets to business success is choosing your partners Iulian told us who supported him in starting his business and how he chose the right machinery for the production of wooden furniture.

A good example for those who are planning to start their own business through Start-Up Nation, from Iulian's success story you will find out what obstacles he overcame and the advice he would give to the next woodworking entrepreneurs.  

How did you get into this field?

I have often wanted to build various objects out of wood and have found almost only offers with chipboard. It was all chipboard, and I didn't want chipboard, I wanted wood. I love wood and its smell, I love nature, I often go camping in the mountains. So we decided to make design and production out of wood. The design is done by my associate, and we do the production together. We don't want to do mass production, but unique, one-of-a-kind furniture for people who appreciate it. It is harder and has a higher added value, but the satisfaction at the end is much greater.

What does MDI Wood Ideas produce?

All sorts of avant-garde pieces of wooden furniture. For example, atypical wooden spoons, interesting stools, non-conformist coffee tables, artistic bookcases. In the future, we also plan to work with epoxy resins for a special visual effect.

What was the first piece of furniture you made?

A table leg. I like curves and round woodworking. Plus, I wanted to see if I could make that table leg and I did. I don't plan to work in manufacturing myself, but I want to really know what the craft is before I hire people so I know what to ask of them. I am convinced that once I quit the job I have now and devote myself fully to the company and the production of wooden furniture, I won't be able to help but work on my own projects. But I will do it in parallel with business management, sales and promotion.

What were the problems you faced in running the Start-Up Nation program? What were the biggest obstacles you overcame?

The hardest part was the waiting and the fact that the authorities, the people from the ministry who were processing our file, could not be contacted. I don't blame them, I understand them, given the workload. But the reality is that you are waiting, and you don't know how long, for an answer as to whether you have a complete file, whether you can put your ideas into practice. This is harder for those who have a new project, who are just starting out, where hopes and expectations are high, combined with the fear and uncertainty of the unknown.

What was most important in the purchase of the machines?

Value for money. In the beginning, we divided the equipment into three categories: the most important equipment which must be the best, the equipment you use less often or can supplement with other equipment, and the rest. And we decided to invest the most in the first category, i.e. the ones we work with on a daily basis and the ones we have to rely on. That's why we got the Hammer C3 31 performance 5-operation Hammer C3 31 performance and the Hammer N4400 bandsaw from Felder Gruppe Romania. The price/quality ratio is good at Felder and the service is very good.

What does "furniture with passion", "solution with soul" mean to you?

It is very important to respect the agreement with the customer in terms of quality, delivery time and everything else. But you have to be very clear what the customer wants. Passion comes from the way you are willing to listen to the customer, understand what they want and find a way to make it happen. Then you have to make sure that they really understand what you've told them. And all these things you have to do not mechanically, but put your heart into what you do. You have to do it with love. Everywhere I've been employed, I've only stayed if I liked it. And I come to the workshop after I've finished my work where I'm employed, which is in the afternoon, and I stay until four in the morning. And the next day I start all over again. If there was no passion, I wouldn't do this.

What are your plans for the future?

At the moment, our priorities are hiring production staff.

Find out about the first steps in the industry and Iulian Apostol's advice for young entrepreneurs who want to start a business through Start-Up Nation by reading the full interview here.

The interview with Iulian Apostol - MDI Wood Ideas is part of the Felder stories campaign that you can read here. 

You can see unique pieces of furniture by MDI Wood Ideas on the website http://mdiwoodideas.ro/, where you'll find furniture for non-conformists and, very interestingly, small and very small furniture.