We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott and Erin Iler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott and Erin, what is the most important factor behind your success?
We would say that it’s a combination of several things. Our brand is “to bring quality, handmade items to each customer. . . by utilizing fair trade, upcycling, and using reclaimed materials as much as possible.”
With that being said, it is imperative to stay loyal to our purpose and guarantee to customers that we do not make their product until it is ordered. We take great pride in the items that are designed in the Iler Woods Shop which means that quality control cannot be compromised. If we are not 100% satisfied with your order, we will refine the product until we are satisfied.
We have also found that success does not come out of a vacuum. It has been important for us to look at other like minded businesses and to walk down the road of collaborative relationships. In the past year, Iler Woods has been a part of multiple collaborations and each has been extremely rewarding. We have met wonderful business owners, and truly feel like we are helping each other to gain more exposure in the small business world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For as long as I can remember I have been enamored with wood and how versatile it is as a medium. Often times I think when I see a piece of art,”Can that be recreated using wood?” In some cases the answer is no, and in others there is a resounding YES! I think what people see in Iler Woods is that each of our products has heart and character. It is evident that everything we produce takes a great deal of time and with all of our products you not only get a quality item but really, a window into the heart of love.
I always get excited about a new product idea or when a customer asks if we can make something very special and one of a kind for him or her. As we said before, all of our items are one of a kind but when there is a special request I find myself humbled and filled with gratitude.
Iler Woods celebrated it’s one year anniversary in September and we have made great strides in the last year. We are now on the precipice of a next step. How are we going from a small “adult lemonade stand” to something larger? We are continuing to grow and get our name out to more people but that road is long. We are currently in a place where other companies can make 50 charcuterie boards in an hour for 1/3 the cost of an Iler Woods product so I think helping more people to understand the quality of our items will be a key to our greater success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, if you were visiting our little town of Monrovia. . . it is definitely a hidden gem in LA county. So, to get outdoors, we would first take them on a hike or mountain biking up to Monrovia Wilderness Preserve. This hike overlooks all of San Gabriel Valley, on a clear day you can see the ocean. You are bound to see a multitude of wildlife- I have seen bears, bobcats, deer, and so much more on this hike. Every Friday night, there is an amazing outdoor Farmers Market- street fair on Myrtle Avenue. This is a great way to highlight some of the local growers, businesses, and vendors in the area.
And of course, we have some of the best eateries in town.
Pub Food- hands down Basin 141
Japanese/sushi- Mikomi
Mediterranean- Diplomat
Coffee House- Grey & Cash
Sweet Treats- Sweet Ethan’s

In the spring and summertime, there are great concerts in the park to enjoy with friends as well.

To surprise our friends- we would definitely decorate their room with a fresh floral arrangement from Iler Meadows
and a tasty loaf of sour dough bread from Wildflour Artisans Sourdough Micro Bakery. . .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our friend/web designer/creative director/photographer Kelry Kirschenmann needs to be recognized for helping us birth Iler Woods. She saw something in us that needed cultivation and direction with our talents. If it wasn’t for her, we would not have had the mentorship to help us launch a full scale business and successful brand.

Website: www.ilerwoods.com

Instagram: @ilerwoods

Facebook: Iler Woods

Other: Our email address is ilerwoods@gmail.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.