Tenant Profile: Johnny of Fallen Giants

We are very lucky at Harland Works to have a community of fantastic tenants running a whole variety of small businesses. We’re starting a new series featuring Harland Works tenants. First off is Johnny who runs Fallen Giants from Unit 6 and makes very lovely pieces of furniture. I sent Johnny some questions about how he came to do what he does and here are his answers. To find out more about Fallen Giants have a look at their website or instagram where Johnny’s always happy to respond to questions about his work.

How would you describe what you do?

We take found wooden objects and figure out ways to repurpose the timber into enduring contemporary furniture designs. We believe every piece of wood has a potential use and finding that use is our job.

Why did you create your business Fallen Giants?

To love going to work everyday. To be creative. To make positive change.

Before Fallen Giants I worked in the graphics and photographic industries. However, as these became increasingly digitally based I became increasingly unhappy.  Life in front of a computer screen wasn't for me. After surviving a life threatening illness I knew I had to look for a different way of life. 

I went hiking around the world for a year and then retrained as a wooden boat builder. Rowing my boat out to sea is still one of my proudest moments. Now I knew that I wanted to work with my hands creating real physical objects of beauty. I went on to work in boat yards and cabinet makers learning as I went.

However, appalled by the waste and pollution that I encountered in the mainstream wood working industries I started collecting discarded timber and making furniture from it. The idea for Fallen Giants was formed. 

Where does your "Fallen Giants" name come from?

Fallen Giants is named from a quote by my woodworking hero George Nakashima. “I poke my way through the valley of fallen giants, finding here and there fragments which will be given a second life”

George Nakashima was referring to the giant trees that he encountered in the forests of North America. But his philosophy of not wasting any of this beautiful natural material struck a chord with me and I decided to apply it in my urban setting. I was finding "fallen giants" discarded in skips, abandoned at the roadside and thrown out by industry. These days, as we have become well known, people bring me their unwanted timber and old furniture to repurpose into beautiful new pieces. 

What do you love about running a small business?

I love the feeling of my work being visible to anyone who cares look. I made a decision to do this and a commitment to get it done for better or worse. And I’ve done it. It can't be taken away now. I've created something unique and true to myself and that’s something I'm very proud of. I'm free to celebrate that anytime I like.

What do you like least?

Being responsible for everything. When you own a small business, you’re stuck dealing with everything – especially if, like me, you’re the only employee. If the computer or a machine goes down, I have to deal with fixing it. When my need tax return comes round I have to do it whilst sweeping the floor, answering emails and driving my van! There are many tasks that are very different from the pursuit of what you are passionate about.“

Any tips for anyone thinking of setting up on their own?

It's a cliché but do something that you really love. This really is difficult sometimes so you need to have a genuine deep level interest in what you are doing to sustain you over the long term. 

I'd say also don't be too proud to seek help because you can't do everything and don't ever work for nothing. I've done both of those. More than once!

What would you say to anyone else running/setting up a small independent business thinking about getting a unit at Harland Works? What works for you being here?

Harland Works has been really great for me. There's an awesome bunch of inspiring people here and as I work on my own that community feeling has been really helpful. Everybody has been positive and friendly. The management (Sophy) understand the trials of small business life whilst keeping the building running and looking good. I love it come and check it out!

What's involved for your customers in commissioning a piece of furniture?

Having a piece of furniture made just for you can be a daunting prospect – choosing wood, making sure that it does what you need it to do and looks good whilst doing it. Our process is set up to make this as easy and simple as possible, reduce the risks of something going wrong and provide you with the opportunity to steer and influence what you want and need. We start with a meeting to discuss ideas to produce initial designs. These are then refined until we agree a final drawing, quote and timescale before proceeding to build and deliver.

How can people find out more about buying a Fallen Giants piece?

Our website is a good place to get an initial feel for what our work is all about http://www.fallengiantswoodworks.com. Then go to our Instagram feed @fallengiants to see the latest finished pieces and work in progress. Then give us a call or even better pop round to the workshop and we can have a cuppa and a friendly chat.