I’m Janet Cole — wood artist, wife, mom, and the maker behind Steel & Grain. This business is the product of a life I never could have planned and wouldn’t trade for anything.
After college, I worked as a computer engineer. But everything changed after the tragic loss of my first husband. (You can read more of that journey in my memoir, Murder to Miracles.) At the time, I was raising my daughter and trying to navigate a new future. Later, I met Jay—the answer to all my crazy prayers and now my husband—and together we opened a gym, working side by side as personal trainers for several years.
Eventually, after a lot of prayer and soul-searching, we felt called to a new chapter. Jay started JC Handyman, focusing on home repair and small remodels, and I followed my heart into woodworking—launching Steel & Grain. The name came from our original vision: Jay’s metalwork (steel) and my woodworking (grain). He still pulls out the welder every now and then to build a custom metal piece for me.
My personal motto is: “Look for God things, face your fears & pray crazy.” I define pray crazy as talking with God about your biggest dreams and deepest concerns while believing He can turn them into miracles. My life is full of evidence that He does.
Starting this business was scary. But when I looked back at everything God had already walked me through, fear wasn’t a good enough reason to stop. When I was stressing over the early days of Steel & Grain, I felt God say “Just create beautiful things.” So that became the motto.
Just create beautiful things.
I once journaled a prayer listing everything I had to offer — two hands, a creative mind, a logical brain, a love of writing, design, storytelling, even my computer background. Watching Him connect all those dots has honestly been the coolest thing. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
My purpose is to create things that make people smile, and maybe help them see God in the beauty of the wood. Everything I make is cut, shaped, sanded, and finished by my own hands. Thank you for being here. This little business is a gift I don’t take for granted.