Jeremy French, founder of Making Whole, takes us on a profound journey through the intersection of craftsmanship, recovery, and entrepreneurship. What began as his personal battle with addiction in the 1990s evolved into a mission to create an apprenticeship program where recovering addicts build custom furniture—not just as a vocational skill, but as a metaphor for rebuilding their lives.
The conversation delves into the psychology of recovery, revealing how complex problem-solving in woodworking mirrors the challenges of navigating life after addiction. "If you don't believe that it's possible, then you're not looking for it," Jeremy explains, highlighting how belief becomes the foundation for transformation. His apprentices learn that each custom project presents unique obstacles requiring creative solutions—exactly the toolkit needed for sustained recovery.
What sets this discussion apart is Jeremy's candid assessment of the business challenges in the addiction recovery space. He shares eye-opening insights about misidentifying his customer base, navigating the expensive and competitive world of addiction treatment marketing, and the paradox of selling a service that requires suffering before flourishing.
Beyond the practical aspects of his business model, Jeremy articulates a compelling philosophy about integration—bringing together personal experience and professional purpose to create meaningful work. His approach challenges conventional recovery models by focusing on capability-building rather than merely abstaining from substances. Join us for this thought-provoking exploration of how crafting furniture becomes a pathway to crafting whole lives.
Don't miss the upcoming Asheville Business Summit where Jeremy will be speaking about "The Business of Flourishing." Connect with him and other community members for conversations that go beyond superficial soundbites and explore the genuine intersection of business success and personal transformation.

Get in touch with Jeremy: [email protected]

https://makingwhole.com/

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/
All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at [email protected] or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill