Authentic: Josh Cox

There is a remarkable moment that happens when we uncover a true passion that is destined to make an impact in our lives and the lives of others. For Josh Cox, founder of Bricker and Beam, it started as a young boy on his grandfather’s farm, located on Bricker Hill in northeastern Ohio. Over many summers at the farm, alongside days of driving tractors, chopping firewood, and felling trees, Josh’s grandfather introduced him to the basics of woodworking. 

Josh was hooked from the very start. His passion for the craft of woodworking continued to develop, as did his skills. Shortly after his graduation from the University of South Carolina, Josh decided to turn his passion into a business. In 2013, Bricker and Beam got its start out of a small garage, selling cutting boards and one-off tables and accent pieces. His first commercial job came in the form of crafting all new tables for the patio at local Columbia restaurant, Motor Supply Bistro.

Nearly 10 years later, you can find Bricker and Beam custom pieces in iconic Columbia restaurants and businesses such as Hendrix, Terra, Hotel Trundle, and more. And a short stroll through their 8,000 square foot warehouse in Columbia, will lead you past pieces awaiting shipment to destinations across the U.S. including New York, Colorado, Maryland, and even the Bahamas. 

While many of the projects and designs that Josh and his team bring to life for clients are custom pieces of work, the Bricker and Beam team also offers a stunning line up of free-standing furniture pieces which includes dining room tables, coffee tables, desks, cabinets, and more. Regardless of the project or the scope, Josh’s main focus is on the customer experience. 

“The most important thing for me is to connect with people on a human level,” said Josh. “Furniture is a way that I can bring people joy and it is an opportunity for me to do what I love, while fulfilling the needs of others.”

In a time where quality can take a back seat in favor of mass manufacturing, Josh knows that his pieces are enjoyed by people in meaningful ways, and they’re often centerpieces to new memories. Gathering around the dining room table. Studying for their masters degree at a handcrafted desk. Filling cabinets with items collected on travels or heirlooms passed down. The meaningful end use of his projects fuels his desire to always produce the highest quality piece.

In the back corner of the warehouse there sits a pile of wooden planks. While they aren’t cuts from the tallest or rarest tree in the Pacific Northwest or the mountains of North Carolina, they are undeniably priceless, as they came from Josh’s grandfather’s farm on Bricker Hill. These pieces are soon to become a part of Josh’s forever home here in Columbia, and will continue to be a part of an unbelievable legacy, one that reminds us to celebrate where we’ve come from and the new memories yet to be made.

Check out Josh’s work on Instagram @brickerandbeam or online at brickerandbeam.com.