Exploring Life & Business with Jj Galipeau of Paper and Pipes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jj Galipeau

Hi JJ, 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?
I started Paper and Pipes in 2015 out of a tiny apartment in downtown Atlanta. I was making pipes, pens, and any other small wooden goods I could manage to find space for. After a bit of globe trotting, I settled in Nashville in 2019, where I continued to grow Paper and Pipes. We are now a full-service woodshop and design studio, doing everything from custom furniture to trim carpentry. But the goal is the same—to build things that bring joy to us and others.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with any entrepreneurial journey, there are ups and downs. Being on the move constantly in the early years, it was a matter of making the shop mobile, always ready to set up in a closet, balcony, or back porch. Every woodworker dreams of a giant sprawling shop with plenty of storage and space for tools. We’re not there yet, but planting roots in Nashville has allowed us to establish a nice little shop space in Cleveland Park, where we get to work and interact with neighbors regularly.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Paper and Pipes?
We are a custom woodshop and design studio serving East Nashville and the surrounding area. We specialize in custom furniture, trim carpentry, and other artisan goods. Customers love our modern plywood designs, finished naturally to bring out the raw beauty of the materials. We also love getting commissions for projects that make use of reclaimed wood. One of our favorite projects was working with a local community center that occupies an old church building on Trinity Lane. We took the old oak pews from the former sanctuary, broke them down, and turned the lumber into tables for community gatherings.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One lesson I’ve learned is that it’s important to prioritize fun and inspiration. That’s why we try to only take on projects that excite both the client and us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://paperandpipes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperandpipes/