Enjoy The Wood Brand History
- Introduction
- Founders
- It all started with an idea
- Kickstarter Triumphs
- The Making of the Wooden World Map
- War and Rebuilding
- Contributing to Ukraine's War Effort
- ETW Global Partners
- ETW Global Activities
- Environmental Commitment
- ETW Team
In the heart of Ukraine, the story of Enjoy The Wood began in 2014. From the shared vision of Igor and Maryna Fostenko and the support of Maryna's parents, this company was born with a soul and a purpose. Their mission? To fill homes, offices, and lives with joy, inspiration, and adventure through sustainable and stylish creations. And this mission continues.
Founders
The roots of this remarkable company trace back to Igor's unwavering optimism, even in the face of adversity. His journey was marked by a childhood of hardships – poverty, loss, homelessness, and personal conflicts. Yet, these trials became stepping stones, guiding him to build a purpose-driven company and a strong family.
Igor's father left the family when he and his sister were not yet three years old, leaving their mother to raise them. Igor's disabled grandmother was also in their care. They lived in extreme poverty, sometimes not having enough to eat.
“MONEY WAS SCARCE. WHEN I WAS SIX YEARS OLD, MY SISTER KATYA AND I GATHERED STRAWBERRIES AND LILIES IN THE FOREST VALLEY AND SOLD THEM AT THE SVYATOSHYNSKY MARKET,” RECALLS IGOR.
Igor witnessed his mother's struggles and dreamed of the day he would grow up and be independent. At eleven, his mother and grandmother died in a tragedy. Igor and his sister were left alone. At first, the children moved in with their father's new family, but due to constant quarrels, they ended up on the streets.
For four years, Igor survived in a basement not far from his father's house, spending winter nights in subway stations. He befriended other runaways and struggled to survive by begging and working as a market loader. Their earnings provided for their livelihood, but also a dangerous glue addiction.
At fifteen, Igor and his sister met Mykola, who became their mentor. He took them in, where several other homeless children were housed. The children worked in the mornings, studied in the evenings, and went to church on weekends.
Mykola's modest salary was barely enough for their livelihood. In winter, Igor shoveled snow, in summer he mowed lawns and helped Mykola disassemble cars for spare parts. Gradually, Igor mastered the craft and was soon able to disassemble an entire car in one day. Driven by my love for cars, I attended an electromechanical school after my evening studies. I graduated with honors and was excellent.
“I YEARNED FOR A LIFE WHERE MY FAMILY HAD EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED. THAT MOTIVATED ME TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR.”
Igor met Maryna at 16 and married her at 21. He dreamed of a family business.
“DRIVEN BY MY LOVE FOR CARS, I ATTENDED AN ELECTROMECHANICAL SCHOOL AFTER MY EVENING STUDIES. I GRADUATED WITH HONORS AND WAS EXCELLENT.”
Igor and Maryna constantly developed new ideas, driven by their inclination to take risks and implement innovative projects.
It all started with an idea.
During a family dinner, Maryna's parents talked about a friend who sold engraved items on Etsy. The idea fascinated Igor and Maryna. They decided to create exquisite and functional household items and sell them on Etsy. This is how "Enjoy The Wood" was born in 2014. In 2016, Igor had the idea to design a fascinating wooden world map for his office wall.
Kickstarter Triumphs
ENJOY THE WOOD
2016:
Enjoy The Wood's first Kickstarter campaign was a turning point. It catapulted the company into the spotlight and introduced it to a wider audience. Originally aiming to raise $15,000 for PR purposes, the company exceeded expectations, securing over $100,000 in funding.
This success demonstrated strong market demand, exceptional craftsmanship, and unique offerings. The overwhelming support from backers highlighted the value of Enjoy The Wood's wooden creations.
The campaign's success not only provided a financial boost but also fostered innovation. The increased funds allowed for investments in equipment, technology, and resources, as well as improvements in production and product quality.
The production of the wooden world map
Enjoy The Wood specializes in creating exquisite handcrafted maps with great attention to detail. Each map is a unique work of art, meticulously designed and crafted for durability using high-quality materials and advanced techniques.
The process begins with CNC machines engraving country names and capitals into birch plywood. Pieces are cut along country borders and smoothed with sanding machines. To protect the wood, the pieces are lacquered with oil and wax.
These lacquered parts, 3-5 mm thick, are glued onto a 4 mm thick workpiece with pre-engraved edges to ensure a uniform appearance. Quality controllers ensure compliance with manufacturing requirements and finalize all details. This gives the whole thing individuality.
Finally, the packers not only pack the map pieces, foam, and various accessories like pins into the box, but also the warmth and the very special energy you will feel as soon as you unpack your order.
Enjoy The Wood, as a unique home furnishings store, adheres to all applicable laws and standards. An original concept forms the basis of all activities and ensures safety, efficiency, quality, and sustainability. Now, let's look at how the company meets these demands.
- Copyright. All rights to the original wall decoration belong to the author – Ihor Fostenko.
- Unique Design. Our original art and home decor are available in countless designs, shapes, and sizes.
- High-Quality Materials.
Authentic decor is made from high-quality birch plywood, treated with wax paint in a natural tone – preserving the wood structure. - Anti-Counterfeiting.
Ihor Fostenko holds the exclusive right to manufacture and distribute Enjoy-The-Wood maps, as confirmed by the patents mentioned in the "Copyright" section. Requirements such as design novelty have been met.
Enjoy The Wood, as a unique home furnishings store, adheres to all applicable laws and standards. An original concept forms the basis of all activities and ensures safety, efficiency, quality, and sustainability. Now, let's look at how the company meets these demands.
- Copyright. All rights to the original wall decoration belong to the author – Ihor Fostenko.
- Unique Design. Our original art and home decor are available in countless designs, shapes, and sizes.
- High-Quality Materials.
Authentic decor is made from high-quality birch plywood, treated with wax paint in a natural tone – preserving the wood structure. - Anti-Counterfeiting.
Ihor Fostenko holds the exclusive right to manufacture and distribute Enjoy-The-Wood maps, as confirmed by the patents mentioned in the "Copyright" section. Requirements such as design novelty have been met.
War and Reconstruction
Before the war, Enjoy The Wood established a modern production facility in Borodyanka and relocated its headquarters to Irpin. These were lost in the war, along with equipment worth $2 million and finished products worth $300,000.
A month later, the company made a remarkable comeback in Serednie, near Uzhhorod, overcoming the challenges of reconstruction. It secured a new location, facilitated the transportation and relocation of personnel, and re-established logistics and procurement processes. Additionally, it supported the Ukrainian army by purchasing body armor, helmets, and vehicles, and organizing fundraisers. Throughout the war, the team worked tirelessly to procure and distribute humanitarian aid to the local population.
OUR OFFICE IN IRWIN
OUR PRODUCTION IN BORODIANKA
OUR RECONSTRUCTION IN UZHHOROD
RESTRUCTURING OF LOGISTICS AND PROCUREMENT PROCESSES
Contribution to Ukrainian warfare
In April 2022, Enjoy The Wood acquired 120 body armor vests and 50 helmets, valued at UAH 1,800,000. In August 2022, the organization launched the inaugural charity training marathon, “Enjoy The Export,” contributing UAH 2,030,000 to the Serhiy Prytula Charitable Foundation. Collaborating with Open Hearts, the organization hosted a charity raffle, raising UAH 100,000. In January 2023, Enjoy The Wood donated UAH 500,000 for drones and partnered with Zdvizhevka residents to raise funds for safety nets. In total, Enjoy The Wood has contributed over UAH 5.5 million to the war effort, and continues to do so.
From frontline heroes to lifesavers to energy system defenders, every individual and collective contribution, no matter how small, counts. Diplomatic efforts, information warfare, volunteer work, and economic support all play crucial roles.
We urge you to support us on our journey toward a better future for Ukraine. What can you do today to help Ukraine? Together, we will prevail, and Ukraine will thrive!
ETW Global Partners
Global B2B Sales
Enjoy the Wood has expanded its B2B sales globally since 2021, starting with Japan. In just two years, the company achieved stable sales figures in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The focus on customization allows the company to adapt wooden decor products to local preferences and traditions.
The company's success is based on understanding the diverse needs of its global partners. The company works closely with B2B customers, fostering trust and cooperation, and offering personalized advice throughout the entire sales process.
Quality is a top priority. High-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship result in durable and elegant wooden decors. Enjoy the Wood is committed to excellence and is expanding its B2B sales worldwide by building partnerships and creating inspiring environments.
Partnership in Times of War
Before the war, Enjoy the Wood signed a contract with a US partner for 900 maps. The delivery was made by sea freight from Irpin to Odesa. On February 23rd, the maps were loaded and ready for the long journey. However, on February 24th, the war broke out, disrupting sea routes. The maps were rerouted to Western Ukraine, then shipped to Hamburg, and finally delivered to their destination.
This incident, followed by the destruction of production facilities and offices, severely tested the company's logistical capabilities and resilience. Not only the Enjoy The Wood team was able to save.
ETW Global Activities
Enjoy The Wood's LED map stood out among other decorative items and eye-catching product packaging. Igor Fostenko recalled the event, explaining that his goal extended far beyond financial success. For him, the event was about inspiring others to launch their own creative projects.
PARIS-NORD VILLEPINTE EXHIBITION CENTER, SEPTEMBER 7–11, 2023
Enjoy The Wood team is currently at the Maison&Objet Paris Expo. It is the most significant event in the decoration and lifestyle industry in Europe. The latest trends, must-haves, and unusual solutions - everything you need for your daily life - are gathered here in one place to inspire you.
67,000 visitors worldwide, 145 countries represented, 2,300 exhibitors - Maison&Objet Paris is a meeting place for creative talents and leading providers in every niche.
With such a variety of products, you can only succeed if you are the best manufacturer in your niche.
AT THE HIGH POINT MARKET 2022 IN THE USA
Enjoy The Wood was the first Ukrainian company to showcase wall decor. As the world's largest trade fair for the furnishing industry, the event offered Enjoy The Wood a unique platform to showcase its craftsmanship and modern design. They presented handmade wooden maps and unique decorations to a new audience, highlighting their innovative strength and environmental friendliness.
AT AMERICASMART ATLANTA
In 2023, Enjoy The Wood showcased its creative expertise and technical prowess. The event brought together designers and retailers from across the USA and over 60 countries to explore the latest industry trends and innovations.
Environmental Commitment
Despite the ongoing war, Enjoy The Wood continues to pursue important projects aimed at making the world a better place. Together with Tree-Nation, the company is fighting climate change by offsetting CO2 emissions. Customers can contribute to reforestation by purchasing Enjoy The Wood products through the Tree-Nation platform. The platform allows visitors to track the progress of their tree-planting initiatives. With the help of interactive maps and personalized profiles, individuals can visualize the impact of their purchase and develop a sense of connection.
This partnership contributes to the protection of habitats and the reduction of CO2 emissions while aligning with UN goals. This makes Enjoy The Wood a socially responsible brand for environmentally conscious customers.
ETW Team
These are just some of the brilliant minds driving Enjoy The Wood's journey forward. In today's competitive and turbulent world, Enjoy The Wood stands out not only as a company but also as an embodiment of the human spirit. With every product they create, they bring a piece of their journey, inviting you to join them on this extraordinary journey of craftsmanship, perseverance, and courage.
