Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Bendall.
Hi Nick, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey as a craftsman began at a young age, working alongside my father (a true jack-of-all-trades) who instilled in me a drive for hard work and a love of building with my hands. Just as importantly, my family taught me that kindness, empathy, and integrity are the foundation of true success—values that continue to guide my work today.
Like many, I initially followed a traditional path, completing both undergraduate and graduate degrees and spending the next decade in patient care, public health, and project management. While I loved working with and helping others, nothing compared to the pride and fulfillment I felt creating something tangible with my own hands.
My wife, Kelsey, and I purchased our first home in 2020 and I began furnishing it with pieces I built by hand – starting with our dining table, then our coffee table, our bed frame, and more! What began as a practical need quickly revealed itself as something much deeper – woodworking was no longer a hobby, it was my true purpose.
I founded High Road Handcrafted in 2020 with a simple but meaningful goal: to bring quality, craftsmanship, and intention back into the homes of families in our community. At a time when so much furniture is mass-produced and designed to be disposable, I felt there was a real opportunity – and responsibility – to create pieces that are built with care, purpose, and the individual in mind.
From the beginning, High Road Handcrafted has been about more than just furniture. Every piece we build is custom, thoughtfully designed, and meticulously crafted to meet the specific needs of each client. We believe furniture should reflect the people who live with it – how they gather, celebrate, and make memories in their homes.
While our passion is building fine, handcrafted furniture, our deeper mission is about relationships. We’re dedicated to providing a first-rate, highly personalized experience – one you simply don’t get when purchasing mass-produced goods. As we’ve grown, that commitment has shaped who we are today. Our legacy isn’t just the tables and chairs we build, but the lasting, meaningful relationships we form with our customers and our Michigan community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape who we are today. High Road Handcrafted began in a humble 350-square-foot basement, and from the start, space was one of our biggest obstacles. Building fine, custom furniture in such a small footprint forced us to be intentional and resourceful. We learned how to maximize every square inch through mobile equipment, creative storage solutions, and carefully planned workflows. Those early limitations taught us efficiency, discipline, and respect for both materials and process – lessons that still guide our work today.
Like many new businesses, we also faced the realities of limited capital, time constraints, and the uncertainty that comes with starting something from the ground up. Balancing long hours in the shop with family life, managing cash flow, sourcing quality materials, and building brand awareness all presented daily challenges. There were moments when progress felt slow, and when taking the next step required equal parts faith and persistence.
Another major hurdle was earning trust in a market dominated by mass-produced furniture from large retailers. Helping customers understand the difference between furniture that is built quickly and cheaply versus furniture that is built with intention, craftsmanship, and longevity takes time and patience. Highlighting the lasting value of local, custom craftsmanship – pieces designed specifically for your home and built to serve your family for decades – is a process rooted in education, trust, and genuine connection.
We’ve overcome these challenges by staying grounded in our purpose: bringing quality, craftsmanship, and care back into homes within our local community. Through thoughtful planning, strategic growth, and a commitment to doing things the right way, we were able to build momentum and eventually move into our current space in 2024 – a 1,200-square-foot workshop. That milestone allowed us to better serve our clients while continuing to operate sustainably and intentionally.
Most importantly, we never lost sight of why we started. By choosing integrity over shortcuts and relationships over transactions, we’ve been able to build more than furniture – we’ve built trust. Every obstacle we’ve faced has strengthened our belief that honest work, done with integrity and care, still matters – and that there will always be a place for businesses built on quality, trust, and genuine connection to their community.
We’ve been impressed with High Road Handcrafted, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At High Road Handcrafted, we specialize in custom, solid wood furniture designed to bring warmth, beauty, and lasting quality into your home. Whether it’s dining tables, chairs, benches, credenzas, or other signature pieces, we offer a curated portfolio of both popular and original designs – each available in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and finishes. For those with a specific vision, we also create fully custom pieces tailored to meet your unique needs and style.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to craftsmanship and a personalized customer experience you simply won’t find at a big-box store. Every piece that leaves our workshop is carefully built, hand-finished, and closely inspected to ensure it meets our high standards – and your expectations – before it’s delivered to your home.
Beyond building new furniture, we also perform expert repairs and refinishing on wooden pieces of all sizes. Whether it’s a minor repair or restoring a beloved family heirloom, we take great pride in helping bring new life to worn or tired furniture.
We’re deeply proud and honored to have been recognized by the Lansing community through “The Community Choice Awards,” (sponsored by the Lansing State Journal). These awards celebrate the best local businesses, as nominated and voted on by the community itself. High Road Handcrafted was named “Best Furniture Store” in both 2024 and 2025 – a recognition that means the world to us because it reflects the trust and support of our clients and neighbors.
Above all, we want readers to know that High Road Handcrafted is more than just a furniture maker – we are a community partner dedicated to quality, integrity, and lasting relationships. Our goal is to craft beautiful, meaningful pieces that your family will cherish for generations, all while delivering a unique, personal experience from the very first concept to the final delivery.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor and building a supportive network is incredibly valuable, especially in a craft like woodworking where hands-on skills and experience are essential. For those starting out, I recommend looking first within your local community – reach out to established furniture makers, woodworkers, and artisans who share your passion. You may find that many experienced craftsmen and women are generous with their knowledge and appreciate the chance to support someone eager to learn.
Joining local woodworking guilds, artisan groups, or maker spaces can be a great way to connect with mentors and peers alike. These communities often offer workshops, events, and informal meetups where you can build relationships, ask questions, and learn new techniques. Additionally, local craft fairs and farmers markets can be excellent places to meet other makers and get involved in the broader creative community.
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms too – forums, social media groups, and dedicated woodworking websites can offer advice, inspiration, and connections that supplement in-person networking.
For me, building genuine relationships based on a mutual respect and a shared love of the craft has been key. Being open, curious, and willing to help others in turn creates a supportive network that lifts everyone up. Above all, stay patient and persistent – mentorship and meaningful connections take time but are absolutely worth the effort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.highroadhandcrafted.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highroadhandcrafted/
