In this solo episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson answers three of the questions he gets asked most about building Johnson Bespoke: how the business grew, how he manages a team and clients, and how the company wins high value joinery projects. Robin shares how Johnson Bespoke expanded from himself and one employee to a team of 20 working across five workshops, with specialist facilities for CNC machining, veneer production and finishing.

Robin explains the financial decisions behind that growth, including reinvesting profits, living frugally during the early years, pricing machinery into projects and eventually using asset finance to invest in major equipment such as a five axis CNC. Every significant investment is assessed against its operating costs, staffing requirements, production capacity and potential return.

Key Topics Covered

✦ How Johnson Bespoke grew from two people to a team of 20 across five workshops

✦ Reinvesting business profits into machinery, facilities and people

✦ Using asset finance and financial modelling to fund business growth

✦ Bringing CNC machining, veneering and finishing under one roof

✦ Hiring specialists and building a business that can operate without the founder doing everything

✦ Managing architects, interior designers and private clients on high value projects

✦ Selling craftsmanship, reliability and service instead of competing on price

✦ Winning joinery work through referrals, targeted outreach, workshop tours, trade shows and video

Check out Johnson Bespoke here: https://www.johnsonbespoke.co.uk/

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Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson, founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop, this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: / @yoursforthemakingpodcast

Key Moments:

0:00 How Johnson Bespoke grew and why Robin specialised in joinery

02:30 Reinvesting every penny of profit back into the business

03:46 Pricing machinery into projects to fund organic growth

05:00 The sacrifices behind building an in house production business

07:14 Using asset finance to invest in a five axis CNC

09:00 Why quality, cost and timelines became three non negotiables

10:46 Solving production bottlenecks with a professional spray facility

14:26 Why Robin deliberately hires people who are better than him

15:30 Robin's vision for the future of Johnson Bespoke

17:58 Growing from two people to 20 across five workshops

19:00 Building a team that allows the founder to step away

22:07 Managing architects, designers and high value clients

26:06 Selling value instead of competing on price

29:48 Targeted outreach that helped Johnson Bespoke win work

37:06 Using podcasts and video to build trust and attract clients

Monique Lucas is the founder and presenter of The New Makers TV, a YouTube series dedicated to telling the stories of British makers, craftspeople and independent creative businesses. After working across interiors, homeware, textiles and content, Monique created The New Makers to give craftspeople a platform to show how their work is actually made and why it matters.

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson and Monique explore the changing world of British craft, the realities of running a maker led business and the growing desire for handmade products as AI and mass production accelerate. Monique shares why understanding materials and production can help people make more intentional purchasing decisions, while the conversation tackles greenwashing, sustainability, social media, influencer culture and the pressure on makers to become content creators.

Monique also reveals how The New Makers grew from fewer than 100 views per episode to one video reaching 54,000 views, and why patience, conviction and enjoying the creative process matter when building an audience online.

Key Topics Covered

✦ Why Monique Lucas created The New Makers TV to champion British makers and craftspeople

✦ The renewed interest in handmade products and endangered British crafts

✦ Why makers are expected to create, photograph, film and market their own work

✦ Understanding the true value and price of handmade products

✦ Greenwashing, sustainable materials and intentional consumption

✦ How social media can help independent makers build viable businesses

✦ The dangers of comparison, influencer culture and chasing algorithms

✦ Growing a YouTube series from fewer than 100 views to 54,000 views

Watch The Makers TV here:

https://www.youtube.com/@thenewmakerstv

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson, founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop, this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuzYPW_uJfM2B1XXRuZLUg

Key Moments:

0:00 Introducing Monique Lucas and The New Makers TV

01:59 Why Monique created a platform for British makers

03:26 Building and self funding a YouTube series

04:40 How childhood shaped Monique’s connection to home and design

08:42 The growing pressure on makers to become content creators

10:49 Capturing the real stories and processes behind handmade work

14:20 Why AI could drive people back towards traditional craft

18:09 Why handmade products cost more and understanding their true value

23:40 Greenwashing and the problem with sustainability labels

29:07 Why creative careers rarely follow a straight path

34:27 The creative careers young people rarely hear about

37:15 How social media can turn craft into a viable career

41:40 The problems with influencer culture and unrealistic lifestyles

48:24 Escaping comparison and the pressure of the algorithm

51:59 How The New Makers grew from 100 views to 54,000 views

Interior designer Christian Bense joins Robin Johnson to explore how thoughtful interior design balances architecture, art, history and the personality of the people who live there. Christian shares his journey from South Africa to London, launching Christian Bense Interior Studio shortly before Covid and building a practice recognised by House & Garden. He explains why his studio avoids a fixed house style, how contemporary and traditional interiors can coexist, and why art, proportion, composition and architectural detail matter more than following trends.

The conversation also explores designing period properties, creating interiors with longevity, managing residential projects from concept to completion and building a creative business without losing involvement in the work. Christian discusses plans for a furniture collection centred on timeless staple pieces, the thinking behind his interior design platform The Basic Principle, and the lessons learned from 14 years in the industry.

Key Topics Covered

✦ Christian Bense’s journey from South Africa to becoming a London interior designer

✦ Building Christian Bense Interior Studio and gaining industry recognition

✦ Why the studio deliberately avoids a signature house style

✦ Combining traditional architecture with contemporary interior design

✦ Using art to create personal, characterful and layered homes

✦ Restoring character and respecting the history of period properties

✦ Designing timeless furniture instead of following interior trends

✦ Building a creative career while learning to enjoy the process

Check out Christian Bense Studio via:

https://www.christianbense.com/

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson, founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop, this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Check out Yours For The Making in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuzYPW_uJfM2B1XXRuZLUg

Key Moments:

00:00 Christian Bense’s 14 year journey in interior design

03:40 Leaving business studies to pursue interior design

06:15 The Somerset project that changed his approach to design

08:15 Why Christian Bense Studio has no house style

11:20 Designing homes around art and personal taste

14:20 How clients develop their own art collections

18:50 Why Christian wants to keep his studio relatively small

21:20 The level of involvement clients can expect

23:30 Why clients should question familiar contractor relationships

25:15 Why Christian prefers independent architects and interior designers

29:40 Why bespoke design requires more time and a different pricing model

33:25 Respecting the history of period and listed properties

41:45 Christian’s plans for timeless furniture and interior products

45:45 The Basic Principle and explaining why good interior design works

49:25 The advice Christian would give his 18 year old self