Our story began when we met at a coffee shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the summer of 2001. Twenty years, six states, a woodworking business, a toddler and a pandemic later — we came back to where it all began, to begin again.
Drew graduated from the University of Michigan in 1999 and began working on houses in Minneapolis, MN in 2005. Quickly developing the range of skills required for new construction and remodeling, his desire to continue growing as a carpenter led to work in wood shops starting in 2008. Since then he has apprenticed with Earl Stovall Woodworks in Nashville, TN, Cris Bifaro Woodworks in Asheville, NC, and Jay Brennan Woodworking in Cold Spring, NY, learning different approaches and techniques from each. In addition to being a woodworker, Drew is an accomplished guitar player and home recordist, as well as father to his son, Emmett.
Carolyn is an Ann Arbor native who’s back in town after twenty years away. She has worked extensively with small businesses since 2006. She has developed cooking schools from the ground up in Asheville and New York — creating classes, hiring teachers, managing budgets, designing, writing and photographing the websites. In 2011 she co-founded Space Lift Woodworking, her first business collaboration with Drew, and helped steer that business into what it is today, Fabled Fort — a business that reflects their values, creativity and continued desire to work together. She believes that business can be a way to serve both our communities and ourselves, by providing a practical outlet for passion, creativity and communication. Carolyn is also a photographer, writer, cook and mother to her sweet boy, Emmett.