Meet Josh Shore | Woodworking Artist & Attorney

We had the good fortune of connecting with Josh Shore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Josh, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
BoardsByShore grew from a curious interest in creating wooden cutting boards when I was an utter newbie in around 2013. I was looking for a woodworking school to learn woodcraft. I could not find a school in South Florida, but I stumbled upon a group of amazing woodworking artists called the South Florida Woodworking Guild in Fort Lauderdale. They took me under their wing and I learned and absorbed information and techniques quickly. I was mesmerized, inexperienced and decades younger, but I stuck with it. My main mentors, who are now lifelong friends, were box making master Don Boudreau, nationally renowned artist Milton Mizell, and a very talented wood-turner named Bill Nelson. In the years that followed, Bill and I have been selling woodcraft together for years, and I work and consult with Milton and Don whenever I can.

Don started a woodworking school (named the South Florida Woodworking School) a year or two after I joined the guild. The school was taught in a fully equipped, 1000 square foot detached garage at Don’s house in Southwest Ranches – Don’s woodshop was like a woodworker’s “nirvana.” Within the first year or so of the school opening, I went from woodworking student to woodworking teacher. We were the only show in town and it was a vital time in the development of my woodworking skills and knowledge. Sadly, Don and his wife moved away from South Florida and the school disbanded despite the fact that it was thriving.

During these formative years, my journey and growth as a woodworking artist began to take shape. In 2017, I launched BoardsByShore. I take pride in seeing the development of the quality of my workpieces from day 1 to the present. My knowledge of woodcraft, tool arsenal, and techniques improves every year and I feel that people notice.

I create elevated kitchen décor- handcrafted cutting boards, charcuterie boards and related items. I would like to think my work stands out. My boards are used by talented, popular chefs and culinary influencers on social media (Instagram in particular), and by talented home cooks as well. My hope and goal is to provide functional art for those who want more than a cheap, simple board made out of bamboo or plastic. I try to keep my boards within a price range where they are accessible to everyone. My target audience are those people that are willing to spend a little more for a special cutting board or charcuterie board, whether it’s a professional chef, a passionate home cook, or a weekend grilling hero.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For one, I have always told myself to stick with this because I take great joy in the process and the products. I always stay the course, and although not always easy, it is the key to the growth I have experienced both as an artist and entrepreneur of sorts. My work, product catalog and approach has adapted over the years, but I would like to think it has changed in a positive way through my unwavering commitment to continue to forge ahead.

Long before I started BoardsByShore, I was and am a full time real estate litigation attorney for the last 20 years, and I developed into a woodworking artist during nights and weekends; although I also find myself practicing law on nights and weekends as well, so I certainly keep busy. My woodworking gives me a life balance that benefits my legal career as it is a vastly different endeavor. As a litigator at a private law firm, my life is controlled by intellectual analysis, legal writing in front of a computer, and dueling in Court with other attorneys, not to mention the stress of billable hours and the monotony of office life at times. However, as a woodworking artist, I get to create beautiful products with my hands and my tools in my garage woodshop. The balancing of my legal career and my woodworking is something I am proud of, as my woodworking side hustle “keeps me sane” I like to say. There is a cathartic quality to my woodworking.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a lifelong South Florida resident, so here are some broad strokes.

The Florida Keys is a one-of-a-kind place. I have lived all over the country and “The Keys” is just a special, cool place to visit; highly recommend.

South Beach is special as well, and the place for wild nights of fun and cocktails. Go check out Lincoln Road, the restaurant scene, and the nightclubs if that is your thing.

Fort Lauderdale is closer to my home, has wonderful beaches, hotels and restaurants; and is a little more low key than the South Beach scene.

I grew up in the restaurant business and am a very culinary person, so I recommend eating your way across all of these places as there are so many good restaurants. If anyone needs more particular restaurant or other suggestions, just email me (josh@boardsbyshore.com) and I’ll point you in the right direction. Thanks so much.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As mentioned in my prior summary, I owe a lot to my friends and fellow woodworking artists, Don Boudreau, Milton Mizell and Bill Nelson. Don taught me a lot and I consider him a mentor in this craft; the same with Milton. Bill and I are woodworking partners and close friends. We sell together throughout Miami and different art shows and other events. I make the linear boards and Bill makes beautiful round pens- our products complement each other nicely. I am much younger than all of them, but age means nothing when you are all passionate about a craft. We are all devoted to the art of making beautiful products.

I am also beyond fortunate to have two wonderful daughters, loving parents, a supportive girlfriend and my “free therapist”/godfather who I consult with on many things, including BoardsByShore. I also would like to pay specific tribute to many wonderful people I have met through Instagram. I am proud to say that my boards can be found throughout the Instagram platform and I have met some amazing chefs, culinary influencers, content creators and countless others that have been wonderful, and I am proud to see my boards in their kitchens and other living spaces.

I am grateful to every person that has a BoardsByShore in their home. It truly makes me happy that they enjoy using them – a heartfelt thank you to each of you.

Website: https://boardsbyshore.com

Instagram: @boardsbyshore

Facebook: Joshua J. Shore