They Wanted Better Workspaces, So They Built Furniture That Lasts

What if your workspace is actually the reason you can't focus?

Mateusz started Oakywood after getting frustrated with cheap plastic and poorly made workspace gear that wasn't built for long hours at a desk.

This week, Mateusz shares how a home woodworking project in Poland became a global workspace brand, why Oakywood believes in "anti-fast furniture," and how better materials can change the way you work.

The Interview

The Product and Audience: What is Oakywood and who is it for?

Oakywood makes solid wood desks and workspace accessories for people who spend long hours in front of a screen. Our customers are remote workers, creatives, and tech professionals who care about ergonomics, focus, and quality materials. Everything is made in small batches in Poland, with a focus on durable craftsmanship rather than disposable furniture. We want our pieces to outlast your career, not end up in a landfill after a few years.

The Spark: When did you launch, and what made you say "I need to build this"?

Oakywood started in my home workshop in Podhale. I couldn't find workspace gear that combined beautiful design with real, natural materials. Most of what was out there was wobbly veneer or cheap plastic that simply wasn't built to last. I wanted to create honest wood craftsmanship that could support long working hours without compromising on posture, quality, or aesthetics.

The Launch: When did you launch and how did you create pre-launch buzz?

We officially launched in 2017, starting with handcrafted wooden tech accessories. Instead of spending heavily on ads, we shared raw, behind-the-scenes glimpses of our woodworking on Instagram and Reddit. Creators responded to the real timber aesthetic, and word of mouth did much of the early work for us. We built an audience before spending a dime on paid ads.

The First 100: How did you find your first customers?

We sold our first products on Etsy while sharing workspace setups on Instagram every day. People looking for an alternative to cheap plastic found us through search and through our social posts. The traction on Etsy, combined with feedback on Instagram, created a valuable loop: customers discovered us, shared their setups, and told us what they wanted next. That momentum is what turned handcrafted accessories into a full workspace brand.

The Advice: What would you tell a first-time founder in their first 90 days?

Focus relentlessly on product quality before you scale your marketing. If your product solves a real problem and is built to last, your early customers become your best salespeople. Put the fundamentals ahead of quick hacks and cheap tricks. Trust builds stronger growth in the long run.

The Reality Check: What is the hardest part of this journey that people don't see on social media?

Social media makes woodworking look clean and simple, but the reality is far more physical. Running an authentic workshop in Poland while scaling internationally takes constant effort. Sourcing solid timber, hand-finishing planks, managing production, and shipping furniture around the world all come with their own challenges. Quality means there are no shortcuts.

The Milestone: What has been your biggest "we made it" moment so far?

Seeing thousands of professionals replace their cheap desks with solid wood Oakywood setups. Launching our 3D Configurator, which lets customers design their own custom setup before it goes into production, was another big moment. Knowing that pieces made in Poland are anchoring home offices all over the world is still an incredible feeling.

The AI Trend: How have you used AI to help your business grow?

Outside the workshop, our team is small, so AI works like an extra pair of hands. We use it for repetitive tasks and to speed up operational processes. That frees our team to focus on what matters most: craftsmanship, quality materials, and caring for our customers directly.

The Horizon: What should we be excited to see from Oakywood in the next six months?

We take our time with new products, often months or even years, because we obsess over the details. Coming soon is an even sturdier desk setup built for rock-solid stability, along with smart organization tools that clear away the small clutter on your desk.

The Shop: Where can readers find Oakywood?

You can build your own custom setup directly at oakywood.shop.

The Connection: Where is the best place to follow along?

Follow along on Instagram at @oakywood for workspace inspiration, new products, and a behind-the-scenes look at our woodworking.

The Recommendations: What other founder-led brands do you love right now?

In CPG, Resibo. In consumer tech, Mudita. And for everyday gear, Orbitkey.