Travis Montgomery’s journey into woodworking began humbly in Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston. At around seven or eight years old, he started helping his dad with house projects, like building cabinets and bookcases—one of which he still treasures today. He recalls lumber runs to Home Depot, riding in the cart until it was too full, then reluctantly following alongside as they selected materials.
By age 13, Travis had developed enough skill to take on projects on his own, starting with ramps and boxes for skateboarding. For a while, woodworking took a backseat in his life. But it wasn’t long before necessity—and creativity—drew him back in. During college, Travis and his friends rented a farmhouse outside Denton, Texas. On a limited budget, he crafted rugged furniture out of free pallets, designing pieces that could withstand the adventures of young adulthood. His very first coffee table, now repurposed as an outdoor plant stand, was a product of that time.
Travis’s skills grew when he landed a job at LD Jordan Table, a company specializing in large farmhouse-style dining tables. His boss needed a craftsman to turn custom pedestals for the tables, and Travis, who had just bought a lathe, volunteered. With a combination of resourcefulness and determination, he taught himself the art of turning wood, eventually turning those pedestals from his garage. This side hustle allowed him to save enough to buy a home.
After several years, Travis found himself balancing a growing woodworking business alongside a budding relationship with someone in Austin, Texas. The two cities were hours apart, and eventually, he decided to sell his house in Denton, move to Austin, and officially launch his custom furniture business. He set up shop in a 1,500-square-foot workspace and invested in heavy-duty tools, pouring his heart and soul into crafting high-quality, custom pieces.
Though he built beautiful furniture, running a business came with challenges. The economic downturn from the COVID pandemic, along with Austin’s surging cost of living, made it hard for people to invest in handmade furniture. In hindsight, Travis admits he struggled with marketing and navigating Austin’s skyrocketing costs. Despite the challenges, these experiences taught him invaluable lessons.
By the summer of 2023, after enduring over 70 days of 100-degree weather, Travis and his wife decided to leave Texas. They’d vacationed in the Poconos and had a friend in Pittsburgh, so they took a chance on Pennsylvania. Their search led them to Bellevue, which felt like the perfect fit. As Travis puts it, “Finding Bellevue was the happiest little accident we could have hoped for!” Bellevue’s charm, walkability, and tight-knit community were exactly what he was looking for.
For the first few months in Bellevue, Travis focused on renovating their new home. Once those projects wrapped up, he landed a job at Rockler Woodworking, where he shares his passion by selling woodworking equipment and teaching classes. Now, he’s ready to bring his custom furniture back into the spotlight, with new skills like granite cutting and polishing added to his repertoire.
Travis’s journey speaks to his resilience, adaptability, and deep love for craftsmanship. Bellevue is lucky to have him as part of its growing community, and we look forward to seeing his business flourish right here in our town.
For inquiries on custom woodwork or furniture, send an email to travisemonty@gmail.com
