Mar 25, 2019
My guest today is Josh Finn. Josh is a gifted furniture maker,
business owner, and humble advocate for bringing woodworking skills
to vulnerable youth. I am proud to be related to Josh, he is
my first cousin. We have hired him to build furniture in 3 rooms of
our home, each project an artistic masterpiece with the essence of
Josh’s soul infused in all his work. Influenced by his
father, who had been a sculptor and taken the family to museums and
cathedrals, Josh resonated with the elegant simplicity of the
Shakers. In his early 20s, Josh worked for a furniture maker in
Scotland and a cabinet maker in Brooklyn, NY before opening up his
own shop in upstate New York 20 years ago.
Last summer Josh spent 3 weeks in Malawi, Africa helping to create
a trade school for Mzuzu International Academy, one of the
educational programs sponsored by Maloto,
the non-profit organization that feeds, educates, and empowers
those affected by the AIDS epidemic in Malawi. This disease had
wiped out a generation of caregivers, teachers, and community
leaders; and left thousands of children orphaned. (Listen
to my episode with Maloto Founder, Anna Msowoya-Keys to hear more
about her organization). Josh lay the foundation for a vocational
program by teaching woodworking and furniture making skills to 12
engaged youth and plans to return to Malawi this summer for 6
weeks.
Josh honesty speaks of his dyslexia and learning issues;
appreciating his beloved wife’s gift as a speech therapist who
understands how his brain works. He honors his mother, who was the
first to believe in him, as he is very present to her as she ages;
describing that it is easy and joyful to have her such a close part
of his life.
Check out the show notes below for Josh’s website, email address
and be inspired to hire Josh for your furniture needs. You’ll also
find links to Josh’s Go Fund Me page, where you can support his
transformative efforts with the youth of Malawi.
Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
Go Fund Me: Josh
Finn’s Trade School in Malawi
Website: www.joshfinn.com
Email: joshfinnfurniture@gmail.com
IG: @joshfinn1965
Anna
Msowoya-Keys on the Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
Podcast
Maloto