Ren Yang displays his completed wooden plaques. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
In a town in Central China's Hubei province, 28-year-old Ren Yang makes handcrafted wooden plaques and sells them to customers in the United States, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries.
Surrounded by stacks of timber waiting to be repurposed, Ren transforms raw pine, paulownia and beech into bespoke wooden plaques for restaurants, boutique homestays and campgrounds.
After graduating in 2017 and venturing into the fiercely competitive online apparel industry, Ren realized he needed to find a niche. His solution: custom wooden plaques. He founded a company in Yuan'an county in 2022.
Ren Yang works on his wooden plaques. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"Each piece is tailor-made; it's nearly impossible to find an identical product on the market," Ren explained. "The price per order attracts quality customers who place large orders."
Last year, his craft earned him over 5 million yuan ($688,000) — a success he attributes to his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to perfection.
"We work with over 10 different types of wood. Every step, from design and cutting to carving, coloring and painting, is crucial," he said.
Ren Yang displays his completed wooden plaques. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
International orders began with a midnight message from an American client two years ago. After producing five design variants, Ren waited by his screen for hours without receiving any feedback. "I later realized it was simply the time difference," he recalled.
Another memorable project for him involved an American restaurant owner who initially requested four window-like plaques, each about 1.2 meters in diameter. After presenting several design drafts that showcased traditional techniques and craftsmanship, the impressed client expanded the order to six pieces.
Ren Yang displays his completed wooden plaques. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"The owner went on to refer several other American customers," Ren said. He believes that in the custom business, long-term relationships are key — each satisfied customer becomes a brand ambassador.
Ren's small but dedicated team of eight continues to breathe life into wood, with his plaques now adorning numerous businesses abroad.
Liu Boqian contributed to this story.
