Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Hobbs.
Hi Matt, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sons of Sawdust began as an act of survival and transformation. My brother and I started out rebuilding our lives after the recession by salvaging old barns and turning that wood into tables. We didn’t have a grand business plan—just a borrowed truck, a few tools, and a deep belief that beauty could rise from brokenness.
What began as a side hustle in a backyard workshop grew into a thriving company known across the country for our reclaimed wood and craftsmanship. Over the years, we’ve deconstructed hundreds of century-old buildings—barns, factories, and homes—and given that historic wood new life in restaurants, homes, and gathering places throughout Nashville and beyond.
Today, I lead Sons of Sawdust with the same spirit that started it all: honoring the past, building for the future, and creating pieces that tell a story. Every board we reclaim carries history, and every table we build becomes part of someone else’s story. Our work is about more than wood—it’s about legacy, craftsmanship, and the belief that what’s been cast aside can be made beautiful again.
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?
After more than a decade of running this business, I’ve learned that obstacles and challenges aren’t the exception—they’re the norm. Even when things are going well, there’s always something to overcome. One of the toughest seasons came during the pandemic in 2020. Like so many small business owners, I faced the very real possibility of losing everything I’d built.
But I just kept moving forward—one day, one project, one conversation at a time. Somehow, doors kept opening. That experience taught me to trust the process and to go with the flow. As a business owner, I’ve learned that flexibility is just as important as hard work. I make plans and set goals, but I stay open to the unexpected opportunities that come my way. That mindset—of persistence and openness—has been one of the most valuable lessons of my journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Sons of Sawdust, my work sits at the crossroads of art, history, and craftsmanship. I specialize in reclaiming wood from century-old barns, homes, and factories across the South, then transforming it into one-of-a-kind furniture and architectural pieces that tell a story. Every board I touch carries the marks of time — nail holes, saw lines, and scars that speak to generations past — and my goal is to preserve that history while giving it new life.
I’m known for blending raw authenticity with fine craftsmanship. Whether it’s a dining table for a local family or a full buildout for a restaurant or bar, I approach each project as a chance to create something that feels alive — something that carries soul. What sets Sons of Sawdust apart is that we don’t just build furniture; we build meaning into every piece.
One of our most recent and meaningful projects is Dos Santos, a beautiful new space in the WEHO district of Nashville. Every piece of wood in that restaurant carries a piece of local history. We reclaimed wood from a piano showroom built in the 1890s on Fifth Avenue, beams from a warehouse on Charlotte Avenue that dated back to the late 1800s, lumber from May Hosiery Mill, and lath boards salvaged from homes being torn down in the Nations district. Together, these materials tell a story of Nashville itself — its craftsmanship, its resilience, and its evolving creative spirit.
I’m incredibly proud of that project, and I’d invite anyone to visit Dos Santos to see our work in person. It’s a space that embodies what Sons of Sawdust is all about — honoring the past, building for the future, and creating beauty from what might have been forgotten.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people are surprised to learn that years before I started Sons of Sawdust, I was an ordained pastor and worship leader. I spent my time helping people find meaning and purpose — I guess you could say I used to be in the business of saving souls. These days, I’m still in the saving business… only now, I’m saving soulful wood.
Every piece I reclaim has its own story, its own history, and its own kind of spirit. In a way, I’m still doing the same work — bringing life, beauty, and redemption to something that might’ve otherwise been forgotten.
That chapter of my life taught me how to connect with people on a deeper level — something that still shows up in my work today. Whether I’m building a table or telling the story behind a piece of reclaimed wood, it’s all about creating connection and meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sonsofsawdust.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sonsofsawdust
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sonsofsawdust
