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James Broyhill II
Winston-Salem, North Carolina native, James T. Broyhill II has furniture making in his blood. Indeed, the Broyhill name has been associated with fine furniture for a century.

Broyhill began learning the basics of working with wood, as a five-year-old, from his grandfather, who gave him a small workshop in the garage. From those early years, he developed a true passion for the process, but still pursued a career in investment real estate.

One day, on a whim, he took apart a vintage barrel in the small workshop next to his house, and decided to make “something.” The result of what he thought would be a one-off experiment was a unique piece of furniture.  Soon, going to work no longer meant riding the elevator to a corporate office. His new “office” was filled with tools, wood and a layer of sawdust.

Have you always worked with your hands?
I’ve always been drawn to activities that involve working with my hands. From tinkering on cars to fine woodworking, I have always found it the best therapy to cope with everyday stresses in life. The ability to work with my hands is certainly a major reason for starting my company, Heritage Handcrafted.

What drew you to your chosen craft?
Some of my earliest memories are of building various projects at a small workbench in the basement of my parent’s home in Winston-Salem, NC. As I grew older my maternal grandfather taught me the basics of woodworking and lent me a few hand tools to get me started. I still use many of those first hand tools today. My passion for woodcraft commenced during these early years.

What do you enjoy most about your craft?
While it’s hard to beat a beautiful finished product, the overall process of dreaming up unique ideas and turning them into a reality is what I enjoy most.

Do you feel like you are still learning?
Not a day goes by that I’m not learning something new!

Is there any one person who has bought/used any of your products that makes you especially proud?
Aside from close friends and family members, we are extremely proud to sell our products to a number of well-known bourbon distilleries here in the US. Those being Woodford Reserve, Pappy Van Winkle and Belle Meade Bourbon.

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