By: Ashley Quintella Valle
In the Nelson household, family comes first, even when it concerns business.
Ariana and Aaron Nelson started SAGA Woodworks a little more than two years ago after Aaron discovered his talent in woodwork.
Since then, it’s been a family affair for SAGA Woodworks, a small shop that specializes in original and custom woodwork pieces and wood-burning art.
From coasters and card holders to dining room tables, SAGA Woodworks creates customized items for its customers out of the comfort of the Nelson home.
The military brought Aaron, an Air Force staff sergeant, and his family to Omaha earlier this year after living in Okinawa, Japan, the past three years.
After traveling more than 11,000 miles, the Nelson family found a new place to call home and an opportunity to create items for those in the Omaha-metro.
While Aaron does the cutting and wood turning, Ariana practices pyrography, the art of wood burning, to add extra pizazz to their products.
And when it comes to other aspects of the process, their children, Gideon, 6, and Silas, 2, like to get in on the action.
“They really enjoy being a part of the business,” Ariana said.
After eight years of marriage, the couple never expected to start a business, Ariana said.
It began when Ariana and the children went on vacation.
When they came back, Aaron had completed a few projects including a headboard to surprise his wife and a kitchen island for a woman who turned out to be one of many customers.
“I just wanted something to fill the time while they were on vacation and people wouldn’t stop ordering stuff,” Aaron said.
With a constant stream of Facebook messages pouring in after the woman posted photos of her new island on Facebook, Aaron decided to continue adding to his woodworking projects.
“It really just took off from there,” Ariana said. “It was not intentional to start a business but he’s good at it, he likes it and people are able to get things they like for their homes.”
When it comes to furniture and home decor, Aaron enjoys making unique items.
“We like to be able to say that something is an heirloom and is something we will keep in our family for a long time,” he said. “We don’t like all of the new big-box stuff.”
His favorite pieces to make, Aaron said, are dining room tables, however, he can make much more.
Supporting local business is important to the family, Ariana said, which is why they get their wood from vendors in the metro area such as Dan’s Custom Sawmill & Lumber in Omaha.
Though boxes are still in the midst of being unpacked, the family is eager to share their work with others.
“People have been really welcoming,” Ariana said. “I’m just so happy to be here, it’s a really neat place and we just want to be able to build and make stuff for people.”
