Check Out Lainey Horn’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lainey Horn.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up watching my dad create projects in the workshop and fix things around the house.

I like to think I got my creative streak from him. He empowered me not to be afraid of power tools or getting my hands dirty. I loved watching him create new ideas and bring them to life in our home, he was a huge mentor for me growing up, and I owe a lot of my success to him!

I loved being able to work on projects with him in the shop as I got older, it brought us closer as father and daughter. So when he passed away suddenly in 2017, my world flipped upside down. I stopped woodworking and doing projects altogether, it was too hard to be in the same workshop, alone.

To be honest, I’m not quite sure what compelled me to want to pick up some tools again 2 years later, but in March of 2019 I made my way back down to the shop to start a new project, that would lead me down a path I never imagined for myself.

I quickly found peace in the shop again, and continue to find peace, as that is where I feel most connected to my dad. I was blown away by the amount of interest I was getting in my work, and quickly turned my hobby into a business that is known as Carved KC.

Since 2019, I have sold close to 200 charcuterie boards (my biggest seller), been invited to be a vendor in a multitude of art festivals around the KC area, did my largest company order to date (48 boards), and currently partner with Flavor in Downtown Lee’s Summit to sell my boards out of their shop.

My favorite part about woodworking is creating pieces to share with others, so that they may foster their own stories. CKC is rooted in connectivity and is brought to life by people who gather around these pieces with loved ones.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am fortunate for it to have been a fairly smooth ride thus far.

I have had some growing pains this past year as I moved into my new home. It has been no small task getting a shop space up and running in our 1970s home, which made continuing to run the business and crank out orders, all the more difficult when you don’t have a good space to work in.

It has taught me to be flexible, and I realize that I can still produce high-quality work with just a small 4ft table in a 200 sqft garage space. The shop is coming along now though, and I’m excited to have a full workspace up and running soon!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a woodworker. I specialize in live-edge home decor and furniture.

My biggest item and mostly what I’m known for are live edge charcuterie boards. I don’t think there is anyone project I’m most proud of, but more my journey as a whole. I’m proud of where I am today and the things I have accomplished to get me here.

I am proud of myself for continued growth and I seek to learn and develop my craft to be better year after year. I think what sets me apart from others is what my brand stands for. This is not just a hobby for me, I want every piece of work that leaves my shop to cultivate its own story.

What does success mean to you?
I think success can be measured in a million different ways.

Personally, I measure success by growing and learning every year. Did I better myself or my business in some way this year? If I can answer yes, then I count that as a success.

Success isn’t always linear, and I’ve learned to be okay with that. If we never failed as individuals or as companies, how would we ever find true success? I think we find success in our repeated attempts not to fail.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.carvedkc.com
• Instagram: @carvedkc
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/carvedkc