About this episode

Craig Hedges shares his journey from a woodworking novice to the owner of Goliath Hardwoods, highlighting the impact of a YouTube scholarship and family involvement in his business.

At 41 years old, with no woodworking background and tools made from hot-glued blocks of wood, Craig Hedges won a YouTube scholarship that changed the trajectory of his entire family's life. In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Craig Hedges, the new owner of Goliath Hardwoods in Evansville, Indiana. Craig's story starts with a $250 check from a YouTube woodworker's scholarship fund, a circular saw, a jigsaw, and a drill. What began with cornhole boards made alongside his wife and four kids eventually grew into pen turning, laser engraving, craft shows, and ultimately the purchase of a nearly 30-year-old hardwood retail business that was days away from closing its doors forever. You'll hear about how Craig and his family funded a trip to Disney World entirely from cornhole board sales, and the car ride home where the kids declared they were done making them. You'll hear about how he discovered Goliath Hardwoods as a customer, watched the sale fall through multiple times with other buyers, and negotiated an owner-financed deal that let the business pay for itself from day one. Craig also shares how he inherited a loyal customer base, kept…

People in this episode

Host: Jennifer Alger

Guest: Craig Hedges

Topics covered

• woodworking
• entrepreneurship
• business growth
• family business
• social media marketing

Keywords

• woodworking
• Goliath Hardwoods
• YouTube scholarship
• cornhole boards
• social media presence
• family business
• business acquisition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Goliath Hardwoods, YouTube

Books & works: cornhole boards

Places: Evansville, Indiana, Cargis building

More episodes of The Woodpreneur Podcast

• Ben Pierce, Holt & Bugbee Company · June 4, 2026 · 36 min
• Marty Parsons, Wood-Mizer Pennsylvania · May 21, 2026 · 47 min
• Bob Kloes & Matt Schmitz, Kloes Specialty Hardwoods · May 14, 2026 · 44 min

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