Travis Blair is the producer and co-creator of the Workshop Companion YouTube channel. Since the channel launched in 2020, he has handled much of its behind-the-scenes production, including filming, video editing, social media, web development, digital publishing, and the day-to-day production of Workshop Companion’s online content.
Travis began working with Nick Engler at age 21 as a craftsman, helping build historically accurate Wright brothers aircraft for museums. Over the years, Nick became both a mentor and teacher, passing on decades of woodworking knowledge and experience. After nearly a decade of working together, Travis has developed into an experienced craftsman in his own right while continuing to work closely with Nick on a wide variety of projects.
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought much of their museum work to a halt, Travis and Nick began looking for another way to put their skills and experience to work. Nick had already written more than 50 woodworking books and had extensive experience producing woodworking videos through his earlier work with Shopsmith. Travis believed that the projects they built and the knowledge Nick had accumulated would translate well to YouTube, and together they created the Workshop Companion YouTube channel.
As producer, Travis films and edits Workshop Companion’s videos, manages its social media presence, helps develop video topics, contributes project and content ideas, handles digital publishing, and responds to many of the questions and emails received from viewers and customers. Nick remains the primary designer of Workshop Companion’s woodworking projects and plans, while Travis frequently contributes ideas and concepts during their development.
Travis also manages much of Workshop Companion’s technical work. He rebuilt the Workshop Companion website from its original HTML4 foundation into a modern HTML5 site and continues to develop and maintain its digital tools and resources. He also works on other technical and digital projects for Workshop Companion.
Travis is from Piqua, Ohio, and attended the Upper Valley Career Center, where he completed two years of training in electrical trades. His work with Workshop Companion combines nearly a decade of hands-on craftsmanship with experience in video production, editing, web development, digital media, and online publishing.
