Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Cole.
Hi Luke, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Like many great stories, mine began in an unexpected place—my garage. Before I ever picked up a chisel, I was a middle and high school English teacher. But when our daughter was born prematurely at just 24 weeks, everything changed. My wife and I quickly learned what it meant to rebuild life from the ground up. While caring for her, I began crafting furniture in the evenings and on weekends to help make ends meet.
What started as a way to support my family soon became a calling. I discovered a deep love for woodworking—the process, the precision, and the purpose behind each piece. As my daughter grew, so did the business. When she started preschool, I took the leap, opened my first workshop, and committed fully to building what would become Luke’s Furniture Company.
Over the past eleven years, I’ve honed my craft, expanded our capabilities, and trained a small team of dedicated craftspeople who share the same belief: that a home’s most meaningful moments are built around the furniture within it. Today, we serve families across Eastern North Carolina—designing and building heirloom-quality furniture that’s handcrafted to bring people together. Each table, bench, and chair we create is made to last for generations, beginning with as much meaning as it will gather over a lifetime of memories.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most journeys worth taking, it’s been anything but smooth—but every challenge has shaped who we are today. From the very beginning, I’ve taken on projects that pushed me and my team to grow. Each custom piece presents its own puzzle, and sometimes those puzzles test both patience and creativity. But that’s part of the beauty of craftsmanship—every challenge brings a new skill, a new lesson, and a deeper appreciation for the process.
Beyond the craft itself, one of the biggest hurdles has been learning how to build and run a business while continuing to refine my woodworking. It’s one thing to design and build heirloom-quality furniture; it’s another to manage timelines, lead a team, communicate clearly with clients, and build a brand that reflects our values. Balancing all of those elements hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. Each obstacle has taught me something new—about woodworking, leadership, and the kind of company I want Luke’s Furniture Company to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of Luke’s Furniture Company. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Luke’s Furniture Company, we design and build handcrafted, heirloom-quality furniture—pieces made to be lived around, not just looked at. We specialize in custom solid-wood dining tables, benches, and chairs, as well as coffee tables, dressers, hutches, shelving and more, with each piece built to order in our Wilmington workshop and delivered to homes across North Carolina and beyond. Every project begins with a conversation about how a family lives, gathers, and connects, so that the furniture we create becomes a lasting part of their story.
What sets us apart is our belief that true craftsmanship is about more than precision—it’s about purpose. We take pride in sourcing premium hardwoods, using time-tested joinery, and finishing every surface by hand to create furniture that will stand the test of time. But beyond the craftsmanship, we focus on relationships. We want every client to feel heard, understood, and confident that what we’re building for them is something their family will cherish for generations.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust our name has come to represent. “Handcrafted. Heirloom. Meaningful.” isn’t just a tagline—it’s our promise. We’re honored to serve families throughout Eastern North Carolina who value quality, sustainability, and authenticity. Whether it’s a custom dining table that brings everyone together for Sunday dinners or a statement piece that carries family memories forward, our goal is to build furniture that feels like home the moment it arrives—and only grows more meaningful with time.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to embrace the long game. When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to focus on the end goal—building the perfect piece, landing the next client, or growing faster. But craftsmanship and business both take time. Every project, every mistake, and every late night in the shop teaches you something that will shape who you become as a maker and as a leader.
I wish I had known earlier that being a great woodworker isn’t enough—you also have to learn how to run a business, communicate clearly, and build relationships rooted in trust. Don’t be afraid to take on projects that stretch your abilities, and don’t rush the process. If you stay curious, stay humble, and keep your focus on serving people well, the rest will follow.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about what you build—it’s about the meaning you put into it and the lives it touches once it leaves your hands.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lukesfurniturecompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukes_furniture_company/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukesfurnitureco/
