Pursuing Purpose at Any Age: Matt Buell on Woodworking, Mentorship, and Living Fully

About the Show:"If there's something that's calling you and it's not harming anybody, answer the call. Just do it."       – Matt BuellOn this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Matt Buell, an award-winning furniture designer and woodworker, to talk about passion, persistence, and building a career that’s true to yourself. Matt didn’t start woodworking until he was almost 30 years old, but his journey from counselor in a jail to a national-award-winning craftsman is both incredible and inspiring.You’ll hear how Matt transformed challenges into fuel for his creativity, and how woodworking helped him find direction and peace at a difficult time in his life. He shares why he gives back by mentoring young makers, his creative process, and why he believes it’s never too late to try something new. From custom restaurant pieces in Bentonville to mentoring the next generation, Matt’s story proves that it’s never too late to chase your calling—or to make a real difference in your community.Matt and Randy also highlight the importance of the trades, the value of hard work and learning from failure, and how Northwest Arkansas continues to inspire and support those who want to create something lasting.Key Takeaways:Embrace Second Chances: It’s never too late to follow a new dream or start over.The Power of Passion: True craftsmanship comes from loving your work, not just chasing a paycheck.Learning by Doing: Failure isn’t the end—it's an important part of mastering any craft.Mentorship Matters: Giving back by teaching others is both selfish and selfless; it’s a way to leave a legacy.Community Canvas: Northwest Arkansas is a rich landscape for creativity, offering opportunities and supportive people for artists and makers.Trades Are Vital: Young people can build amazing careers in skilled trades, and these paths are as valuable as a college degree.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show* Matt Buell’s Website: https://www.mbuellstudio.com/bioFollow Matt on Instagram and FacebookFDMC Magazine (Furniture Design Manufacturing Cabinetry): FDMC MagazineThe RYN Restaurant, Bentonville: RYNSpecial Mentions: Chef Matt Cooper, Conifer, Preacher’s Son, Northwest Arkansas Council, Center for Innovation in NWA, Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs), ULI Northwest ArkansasFindItNWA.com NWA’s Hyperlocal Business DirectoryThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Apple Seeds Fall Dinner 2025 Try ONBoardNWA.com Today! *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026