Meet AJ Reyes | Owner, Operator, Woodworking artist at All Starwoodwerx

We had the good fortune of connecting with AJ Reyes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi AJ, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
To be honest, I’ve never been good with authority. throughout most of my jobs I had been fired or laid off due to bumping heads with supervisors who weren’t qualified to open a can of tuna much less manage people. I had to find something that I could do that wouldn’t involve me having to deal with people but also allows me the lifestyle that I knew I wanted. I tried everything from stand up comedy, leatherworking, bounty hunting, freelance hull cleaning and a variety of other jobs until I finally found that Woodworking was where the most profit came from

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So like I said I did most of this alone and I tried many ways of trying to get paid without having to answer to anyone. I think what sets me apart is that fact that woodworking is usually looked at as a hobby, something to do “on the side”. As I progressed in this profession I realized that I was simply BETTER at it than my competitors. Not to sound cocky but I believe we all have gifts and I just happen to find mine. Thats the first journey. The second is then figuring out how to make money from that gift. Which I have. There are a lot of people on many of the marketing apps that do similar work from a garage or backyard, which is fine that’s how I started, but I took that and had the faith to open shop and turn this into a profession. This is not an easy step! It takes balls to step away from the corporate 9-5 and risk it all on self employment. There are SO MANY lessons I’ve learned in getting this business to the point where I can live a comfortable life but the main one was to believe in MYSELF. There are a lot of self help/ brand building/ startup books, apps etc… but at the end of the day it comes down to 2 words. HARD WORK! Theres no secrets, no formulas, or any of that BS that most people sell. Its pure, unadulterated, soul grinding, Sleepless nights, stress inducing, faith challenging HARD WORK. Dont get me wrong, ANYONE can overcome the challenges that are inherent in starting and running your own business but at the end of the day it’s those people who don’t quit, WHATEVER it may be, that are the ones who succeed.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well first thing would be picking him up from the airport with a bottle of Bacardi gran reserve limited That night we would hit up the Stockyards and get pretty ……..crazy

After recovering the next day I would rent a plane from my flying club (did I mention im a pilot?) and we would fly to Austin and party in various ways down there.

We would probably fly further down to South Padre Island and hang out there for a while before coming back home …… and partying some more before I send him off.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Not to sound too negative but I started this business DESPITE others not necessarily Because of anyone. I was very much addicted to crystal methamphetamine for a large portion of my life and was surrounded by that type of element. At one point I decided enough was enough and put myself through a self imposed detox. This was not easy, as one can imagine. I didn’t have the resources to go to a facility so I powered through it solo. During this time every desire I expressed to better myself was met with ” Please ! you can’t do this, your not Good enough” and the like. But just like I powered through a self detox by simple belief in MYSELF I also achieved this whole enterprise without ONE IOTA of help. I actually prefer it this way. So that no one can ever say that I wouldn’t be here without their help. I WILL say that a firm belief in GOD and a stubborn holding on to my FAITH is what ultimately got me through so uhhh yeah. Shout out to JESUS!

Website: www.allstarwoodwerx.com

Instagram: @allstarwoodwerx

Facebook: Facebook.com/allstarwoodwerx