Podcast Summary: YouTube Creators Hub — "From Zero to 161K Subscribers: Building a Woodworking Business on YouTube"

Host: Dusty Porter
Guest: Thomas Goikovic (Thomas Custom Woodworks)
Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features the inspiring journey of Thomas Goikovic, founder of the Thomas Custom Woodworks YouTube channel, who went from having zero woodworking experience to building a thriving business with over 161,000 subscribers. Host Dusty Porter delves into Thomas' process, mistakes, monetization strategies, and actionable advice for creators looking to carve out a successful niche on YouTube.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin Story: From Teacher to Woodworker & YouTuber

• Background
  • Thomas started woodworking out of necessity after buying a home in 2019 that needed furniture. With no prior experience, he started learning through YouTube while still working as a PE teacher and a personal trainer ([03:19]).
  • His first projects were simple furniture for his home, which quickly evolved as his skills grew.
  • The YouTube channel began as a way to share this journey and evolved into a resource for workshop furniture and jigs.
• Quotes:
  • “I had embarrassingly no knowledge… didn’t even know what button to press on a drill to make it go in forward and reverse.” — Thomas ([06:02])

2. Transitioning to Full-Time Creator

• Leaving Teaching
  • As his business grew, Thomas left his teaching job to focus on woodworking and YouTube, with personal training remaining a smaller part of his income ([07:39]).
  • The pivotal moment came when digital plan sales increased, replacing his teaching income and allowing more time at home with family.
• Listening to the Audience
  • Initial attempts to sell physical products failed (“two sales total… which was not great when you have a family” [08:54]). The realization came that most of his audience were woodworkers themselves.
  • He shifted to selling digital plans, which were in high demand (“People would ask me if I had plans for this furniture… So I started making plans.” [08:54]).

3. Niching Down for Channel Growth

• Finding the Right Niche
  • Thomas emphasized that niching down gave clarity and consistency to his content. Previously, his videos varied from tool reviews to indoor furniture, resulting in inconsistent analytics.
  • After focusing on workshop furniture, jigs, and tools, his views and audience engagement increased significantly ([11:36]).
• Quote:
  • "For me, niching down really helped because it gave me direction... my audience also had a kind of an idea of what I was making." — Thomas ([11:36])

4. Content Strategy: Shorts vs. Long-Form

• Shorts Helped Early Growth
  • Early in his channel, Thomas used Shorts to gain subscribers quickly, finding them easier to produce and highly effective for growth ([15:32]).
  • As his brand matured, he focused more on long-form content for deeper engagement and potential product buyers.
  • Now, Shorts are posted on a separate channel (“Thomas Custom Woodwork Shorts”) and other platforms like Instagram/TikTok.
• Quote:
  • "The shorts help me get the subscribers... but now I want to build more community with longer form viewers." — Thomas ([15:32])

5. Channel Packaging: Thumbnails & Titles

• Clear, Simple, Brands
  • Thomas developed a cohesive, curiosity-driven but clear thumbnail and title style: “There is one thing kind of going on… I try to put in a little curiosity with the thumbnail and the title” ([20:36]).
  • The aim: Thumbnails instantly suggest “this is Thomas Custom Woodworks” for repeat viewers.
  • Example: A close-up of pulling a drawer with an arrow and a title like, "Stop Buying Drawer Slides."
• Quote:
  • “If they already have the answer when looking at the thumbnail and title, there just won’t be… even if it could be really useful, they may not click on the video.” — Thomas ([20:36])

6. Workflow & Use of AI

• Idea Management & Title-First Workflow
  • Ideas are kept in a fluid Google Doc; trending successes lead to more related ideas ([26:23]).
  • The process: Idea → Title (crafted before filming to ensure alignment) → Thumbnail → Script/Hook/Intro → Filming ([26:23]).
  • Doing the title and thumbnail first establishes clear direction and avoids "clickbait."
• AI Tools
  • Uses ChatGPT for brainstorming titles and outlines, but tweaks results with personal judgment. AI helps especially in time-consuming writing tasks ([24:21]).

7. Monetization Breakdown

• Diverse Income Streams
  • Woodworking-Related Income Only:
    • Amazon Affiliates: 3%
    • TikTok/Meta (ad payouts): 6%
    • YouTube AdSense: 9%
    • Brand Deals: 11%
    • Plans (digital downloads): 71% ([30:08])
  • Most income comes from selling workshop furniture plans on his website, illustrating the power of having a relevant product geared towards the audience.
  • Advice: Focus on what’s working and listen to your audience.
• Quote:
  • “I was reading this book and... it’s okay to have one stream that is much higher. Like that is working, so put your focus on what is working and increase that.” — Thomas ([30:08])

8. Experimentation and Listening to the Audience

• Thomas stresses the importance of trying new things, but if it doesn’t work, let it go. Example: Starting Patreon due to industry buzz, but “not one person…ever asked” ([34:29]).
• Decision to launch an upcoming course came from repeated audience requests for beginner-friendly power tool instructions ([34:29]).
• Quote:
  • “If I’ll try something and then if it works, I keep doing that thing... If it doesn’t work, I stop doing that thing and I try something else.” — Thomas ([34:29])

9. Biggest Advice to Creators

• Expect Slow Growth
  • “What I wish somebody would have told me: Thomas, you will not get any views at the beginning... I wish somebody would have sat me down and said that” ([39:33]).
  • Initial lack of views is normal, and creators should not be discouraged.
  • Most established creators make significant income from their own products or services, not just AdSense or brand deals.
• Quote:
  • “Most of the YouTubers… a big part... is their own product or service.” ([39:33])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Listening to your audience, which is what why I'm focusing so much on this course... people would ask me for plans. Instead of saying no, maybe you make the plans." – Thomas ([08:54])
• "I can't give everything away... from a psychology standpoint—if they already have the answer... they may not click on the video." – Thomas on packaging ([20:36])
• "Keep the list [of content ideas] fluid… if a video does well, come up with more ideas [in that niche]." – Thomas ([26:23])
• "If you're starting a YouTube channel... just be prepared that you won't get any views." – Thomas ([39:33])
• "Maybe give things time, but... if it doesn't work, stop doing it." – Thomas ([34:29])

Important Timestamps

• 03:19 — Thomas’ journey into woodworking
• 07:39 — Transition to full-time entrepreneurship
• 08:54 — The aha moment: selling digital plans
• 11:36 — The benefits of niching down
• 15:32 — How Shorts helped channel growth, and the reasoning behind focusing on long form
• 20:36 — Philosophy and tactics for thumbnails and titles
• 24:21 — Using AI in the creative process
• 26:23 — Workflow from idea to publishing
• 30:08 — Detailed monetization breakdown
• 34:29 — Balancing new projects with core income streams; listening to the audience
• 39:33 — Thomas’ advice to new YouTubers: patience and product focus

Resources & Links

• Thomas Custom Woodworks on YouTube: YouTube Channel
• Plans & Shop: thomascustomwoodworks.com
• Online Course Waitlist: thomaswoodworkingacademy.com

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with actionable insights for creators:

• Niche Down: Clarity brings consistency and growth.
• Listen to Your Audience: Their needs should guide your product offerings.
• Diversify, but Double Down on What Works: Monetize with your own products if possible.
• Expect Initial Struggles: Don’t be discouraged by slow early growth.
• Strategic Packaging: Thumbnails/titles are crucial and should be integrated with video direction.
• Experiment, Iterate, and Abandon What Doesn’t Work.

Thomas’ story is an encouraging roadmap for building a sustainable creator business from scratch—no prior expertise required.