JOSHUA STONE shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
JOSHUA, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me starts pretty early—I’m up around 4:30 AM. I take my four dogs out for some exercise, which is a great way to start the day with some energy. After that, I head to the gym before making my way to the shop. Once I’m there, I check emails and go over the day’s plan with my team to make sure everyone’s set up for success. I spend a bit of time in the office printing shipping labels and taking care of any logistics for outgoing orders, then I jump into the shop to build orders alongside the team until around 5 PM. In the evening, I usually head home, check emails again, take care of some admin tasks, and finally sit down for dinner. It’s a full day, but I love what I do—so it never really feels like work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Joshua Stone, and I’m the owner and founder of StoneWon Designs, based right here in McKinney, Texas. We specialize in creating handcrafted hardwood furniture and home décor that’s both functional and artistic. Every piece we make is built using only natural hardwoods—no stains, dyes, or engineered wood—just the raw beauty of American timber brought to life through careful design and craftsmanship.
I started this business after years of working in house framing and construction. I wanted to create something lasting, meaningful, and beautiful pieces that not only serve a purpose in someone’s home, but also feel like a piece of art. A lot of our designs are space saving or multifunctional, which is something our customers really appreciate. My wife’s Asian heritage has also inspired much of the clean, minimal aesthetic you’ll see in our work.
Running a small business like this definitely keeps me busy. I’m usually up before the sun, working out, walking my dogs, and then heading into the shop to build, pack, and ship orders alongside my team. It’s a nonstop grind, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There’s something incredibly rewarding about building things with your hands and seeing them become a meaningful part of someone’s home.
We sell through our website, stonewondesigns.com, and also partner with West Elm and Etsy. Right now, I’m focused on developing a few new pieces that blend function and form even further. For me, it’s building something that will last for generations.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I left my job in the corporate world ( after framing houses) and decided to start building furniture on my own. At the time, I didn’t have a clear roadmap, just a deep respect for craftsmanship and a desire to create something lasting. That leap taught me a lot about trust ,trusting myself, the process, and the value of hard work. It also gave me a new appreciation for the details in life ,slowing down, being intentional, and finding beauty in simple, well-made things.
That shift in perspective shows up in everything I build today. I don’t chase trends or try to mass-produce anything. I focus on creating pieces that are functional, beautiful, and built to last. A mindset that carries into how I live and how I run my business. It taught me that success isn’t just about money or scale, it’s about doing something you believe in, day in and day out.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely, during COVID, there was a point where I almost gave up. Like a lot of small businesses, we were barely holding on. Orders slowed down, supply chains were unpredictable, and the uncertainty made it feel like everything I had built could disappear overnight. It was an incredibly tough time and not just financially, but mentally and emotionally.
What got me through it was the support of my amazing wife and a few close friends who believed in me and in what I was trying to build. They reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. I used that time to regroup by refining designs, improving workflows, and thinking more deeply about what makes StoneWon Designs unique. That season tested everything, but it also helped me grow. It made me a better business owner and ultimately made the business stronger.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I’m not sure if smart people are necessarily getting it wrong, but I do think that in today’s world, the value of building something physical and actually working with your hands is often underestimated. As a man, I’ve found there’s something deeply rewarding about taking raw materials and turning them into something useful and beautiful. It gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment that’s hard to replicate sitting behind a desk.
I think younger generations especially are missing out on that experience. There’s so much focus on digital success, content creation, and fast results that the slower, hands-on work of craftsmanship can seem outdated but it’s anything but. It teaches patience, problem-solving, and pride in your work. On top of that, it’s incredibly grounding. In a time when so many people are struggling with stress and mental health, I’ve found that working with your hands and being fully present and creating something real, can be one of the most therapeutic things you can do.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
For me, I know I’m out of my depth when I catch myself guessing instead of making informed decisions. That feeling of uncertainty is usually a sign it’s time to slow down, ask questions, or bring in someone who knows more than I do. Running a business has taught me that you don’t have all the answers, you just have to be honest about what you don’t know and be willing to learn to get those answers.
One thing that comes to mind is when I started partnering with larger retailers like West Elm. There were a lot of logistics, compliance requirements, and backend systems I’d never dealt with before. At first, I tried to figure it out on my own, but I quickly realized I needed help. So I reached out to other small business owners, asked a lot of questions, and found people who could walk me through it. This saved me a ton of time and probably a lot of mistakes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stonewondesigns.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/stonewondesigns
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/stonewondesigns
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/stonewondesigns
