Building Excellence: Jerry Channel and the Art of Custom Woodworking with O Sleeper Manufacturing
In this inspiring episode of North Georgia Business Radio, host Phil Bonelli sits down with Jerry Channel, founder of O Sleeper Manufacturing, a custom woodworking business rooted in Gainesville, GA. For over a decade, Jerry has poured passion, precision, and purpose into building not just beautiful furniture, but also a life of integrity, creativity, and community impact.
The episode delves into Jerry’s journey — from experimenting with woodworking in his uncle’s basement to starting a business in his parents’ home while expecting his second child. With an eye for craftsmanship and a heart for people, Jerry shares how O Sleeper evolved from an Etsy side hustle into a go-to source for high-end custom woodwork in North Georgia. His work can be seen at Char Steakhouse, Midland Station, and even the Gem and Stone Museum in Arizona.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into the realities of entrepreneurship, including the tough lessons around pricing, team management, and defining clear expectations. Jerry opens up about the importance of systems in scaling a business, the difference between freelancing and building an enterprise, and the mindset shift required to lead well.
Perhaps most refreshing is Jerry’s honest take on failure, people-pleasing, and learning to say no. He speaks candidly about undercharging in the early days, learning to “run it by the numbers,” and finding strength in community—crediting mentors, family, and his small but mighty team for helping him build something truly lasting.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a dreamer ready to take the leap, this episode offers encouragement, realism, and a powerful reminder: Building a business is really about building people.
Connect with Jerry and his team to explore custom woodwork at
https://instagram.com/osleeper_mfg_co/
Connect with Phil Bonelli:
https://www.facebook.com/Hopewell-Farms-GA-105614501707618/
https://www.instagram.com/hopewellfarmsga/
https://www.hopewellfarmsga.com/
Connect with Beau Henderson:
https://www.facebook.com/RichLifeAdvisors
https://www.facebook.com/NorthGARadioX
This Segment Is Brought To You By Our Amazing Sponsors
Hopewell Farms GA
Roundtable Advisors
RichLife Advisors
Cadence Bank
Highlights of the Show:
00:30 – 02:20
Phil introduces Jerry Chanel and O Sleeper Manufacturing, noting their standout craftsmanship and community presence in North Georgia.
03:00 – 05:20
Jerry shares his background, from missionary life in Spain to business school at UGA and the early spark for combining creativity and commerce.
07:46 – 09:00
How early projects with churches and restaurants kickstarted O Sleeper—starting in a basement with support from family and friends.
12:08 – 13:31
Leadership lessons: Jerry discusses how failure in managing people often stemmed from his own lack of clear expectations.
14:43 – 15:55
Phil and Jerry break down the difference between being a freelancer and running a systems-driven business.
17:47 – 18:32
Jerry credits his CPA brother-in-law and a generous community for helping him navigate the administrative side of business.
21:01 – 22:00
A highlight project: Building a custom turquoise inlay conference table for a museum in Tucson, Arizona.
24:09 – 26:34
Lessons on pricing: Learning to value your time, include labor, and avoid undercharging—“run it by the numbers.”
27:28 – 28:53
The dangers of discounting: Why sticking to your price (and knowing your worth) is essential for survival and scale.
29:56 – 30:35
Looking forward: Jerry shares his hopes to expand into real estate and keep stretching his entrepreneurial creativity.
32:58 – 35:00
Phil’s closing thoughts on margin, pricing, and the moral imperative of building people through business.
