Meet Eric Staves and Trent Eisfeller | Woodworkers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Staves and Trent Eisfeller from Breed Street Customs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric and Trent, how do you think about risk?
Trent: “The line between taking risks and failure runs parallel to me. Any artist will tell you they learn and grow more when they take risks and fail. The major difference in woodworking is that risks have to be measured on a scale of how safe or dangerous they are. Am I too tired or rushed to use a certain saw or tool? Am I asking too much of a certain tool or of myself? Have I anchored this beam or post well enough to handle the load it will be taking on? Outside of the obvious safety risks of working in a shop there is also the risk attached to measurements and materials. “Measure twice, cut once” is the most overused cliche in woodworking, but it is often the difference between wasting a $200 board of teak, or perfectly cutting it to size. Risk is the reason i often fail or lose money, but it also the main catalyst in my growth and happiness as an artist and maker.”

Eric:

“Couldn’t agree more. If you mess up a cut, you’re buying more material. You don’t take enough time for finishings, your product doesn’t reach its full potential. If you think you can clamp a short, round piece of wood on the miter saw, it’ll kick back and take your fingers into the blade. . . Which I learned the hard way last summer. Don’t worry, they saved my fingers, I still have them all. In short, it’s all about doing everything in your power, to reduce risk and live within it at the same time.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Eric: “Breed Street Customs was started out of my house, actually. We were roommates at the time and we decided we wanted to build our bed frames when we moved out to LA. That slowly evolved into building more bed frames for friends and then evolved into building custom furniture for friends. When we started making good money from it, we realized this could actually be a lucrative endeavor! When the pandemic hit, I made the tough decision to leave my day job and put all of my energy into starting the business. It was tough at first, we were learning a lot and some of the lessons we learned were by trial and error. We had to really figure out our business model and even to this day, it’s still evolving for us.”

Trent: “I think what sets us apart is our thorough consultation process. Every single aspect of each project is discussed, debated, and decided in concert with our clients. This was born out of making things for our friends that were either wildly overpriced from other vendors, or were missing an aspect of functionality that they wanted. The journey from the driveway to the shop space wasn’t easy, and there were many times we thought we had bit off more than we could chew. But the two of us are way too Midwestern to let a little struggle or setback derail us. Every day I walk into the shop I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and love for every step we’ve taken along the way. “


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Eric: “Being from the Midwest I think a big thing most of them would want to do is go to the beaches. But I think my favorite things are actually escaping the city to enjoy more of what Southern California offers, including the amazing National Parks that aren’t that far away. Joshua Tree, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, even Channel Islands! Big Bear is always fun to camp at along with the fun little mountain town, Idyllwild. I live in Boyle Heights, so I’d obviously have to take them to the amazing Mexican Cuisine you can find on every corner.”

Trent: “Los Angeles has slowly but surely stolen my heart when it comes to restaurant culture and activities. I’ve worked as a server since moving here too so I definitely still feel connected to the industry. Meals at Rosaline, Simonette, Petit Trois, Marvin, La Pergoletta, Bavel, tacos at Tres De Asada and Guisados, and drinks at Big Foot Lodge, Black Cat, Gold Diggers, Seven Grand, and Tony’s Saloon! A drive out to Malibu and Rustic Canyon is a must as well. Most city dwellers are amazed by the size and scale of Los Angeles, as well as the framing the mountains and ocean provide along the way. “


Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Eric: “I’m an Eagle Scout, my Eagle Scout project was to build a 16 foot stage and 3 risers for a multimedia room for my church. It was all out of wood. I learned all the basics through that with my Dad and a family friend who was apart of the church, Mr. Whitman. Those two men peaked my interest in woodworking and I will be forever grateful to them for that gift they gave me. I do want to extend a thank you to my wonderful girlfriend, Hannah, who has been very supportive through the good and the bad of building this business. And a special thank you to all of our friends and clients that have hired us and helped made our business possible.”

Trent: I would love to take this opportunity to thank my best friend and partner Hailey! She is my motivation and my reason when I have nothing left in the tank. I would also like to thank my parents, my brother, and my Aunt Sharie and Uncle Jim (a fellow woodworker) for always encouraging me to pursue the arts!

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