Raised just south of Liberty Pole near the “sprawling metropolis” of Rising Sun, Tullan Baird never envisioned owning a workshop. (However, he will quickly tell you he never ruled out the idea, either!) Tullan grew up as one of ten kids on a small dairy farm. There, he first learned the value of hard work and strong communities. He also developed a healthy dose of curiosity, leading him to pursue a degree in International Relations and teaching in the Republic of Georgia. 

Ultimately, he decided to return home to family. Once there, Tullan deliberately gravitated toward the trades. He gained hands-on experience sorting lumber, building storage sheds, and installing countertops. By far, his favorite position was helping customers in the hardware department of Johnson’s One Stop in Seneca, WI (another local, “sprawling metropolis”). 

Just before his time at Johnson’s, Tullan started his formal venture into custom woodworking. He established Bad Axe Woodworking LLC in 2019, working out of his family’s farmhouse basement. In 2020, he was in search of a new space to grow his business. Just down the road in Liberty Pole, the old general store was for sale! The location, structure, and history all harkened to his scruples, and he closed on the store in January 2021. Since purchasing the store, Tullan has continued to expand his trades knowledge through projects in furniture refurbishing, metalwork, framing, and more. He is invigorated by unique builds and excited to breathe new life into family heirlooms!