This project highlighted how a group of 5 peers and I were able to ideate, implement, and create a startup company in the span of 16 weeks. We decided our main product was going to be handmade cutting boards. We first set out to decide the desired size and general shape by a series of market research surveys. After deciding the size was going to be 16” x 12”, we picked our materials, which were maple, cherry, and walnut. All locally sourced in the New England area.

Our initial design featured an included metal bench scraper that could be stored inside the cutting board. After further research, we strayed away from this design for hygiene reasons; the storage slot proved difficult to clean and sanitize. Leading us to our final design, from our first design, we noticed the empty spot where the scraper handle would have been was a great spot to put a plate and scrape food off the cutting board. Our final design featured an undercut where you could put a plate partially under the cutting board to scrape food from the cutting board onto another vessel with ease.

The cutting boards were produced using traditional woodworking methods, including table saws, chop saws, planners, and jointers. The undercut was made with a custom pivoting router jig. To make the scrappers, we used a wood CNC machine to achieve precise dimensions for assembly with brass hardware.

Partnering with a local artist showroom, various pop-up tents, and word of mouth, our company was able to sell out of the nearly 100 cutting boards made, netting us a profit of over $4k, as well as allowing us to donate $1k back to our school’s program.