The city of Wagoner asked residents where they could create a new library where people could pick up or return books.
Before the city asked where the new Little Library would be located, it asked Poor Boys Woodworking to build it.
Eight years ago, Josh Seabolt was living with his father, Allen, when Josh cleared Allen's property and cut down a black walnut tree. Instead of using wood to start a fire, use it to make a wooden bench.
Josh only had three tools to make this bench, hence the name of his company.
“Poor kids, I can't afford anything else. I've got to make it work,” Josh said.
After three months of carpentry work, his father joined him.
“Josh is the president, I'm the CEO, or you can change it however you want,” Allen said.
The simple decision to join Poor Boys Woodworking changed the course of Allen's life.
“This operation saved my life because if I hadn’t done it, I would have just been a plant,” Allen said. "If I hadn't started working with him, I probably wouldn't be here now. I didn't go anywhere, I didn't do anything, and now I do something almost every day," Allen said.
Not only do they share a love of creativity, the Seabolts also have another hobby: a love of reading, and when Josh was a teenager, it was his escape.
“I had cancer when I was young. I read a lot during chemo,” Josh said.
When Josh's friend, Mayor Wagner, asked Poorboys Woodworking to build a library, the Seabolts didn't hesitate.
“When the child reads that box, we get a reward,” Allen said.
“Reading allows you to go places you wouldn't normally go,” Josh says. "This allows you to escape to some extent. Depending on the genre you're reading, you can go from reading fantasy books, to playing knights and slaying dragons, to studying law. It's the ball effect. They can start with great books and the next thing you know they're reading law books." And they go to Harvard.
Josh and Allen say they offer more wooden creations than they sell. But Poorboys Woodworking is looking to expand its business.
