Hello! My name is Jesse Cooper...aka, The Oak Coop.

Nestled among the Oak-lined hills of northern New Jersey, The Oak Coop was founded in 2019 while doing some light tree work along my driveway. I didn't even see it coming. But I guess my daughter sure did...

My 9 year old noticed me cutting down a handful of young Maple trees growing directly under a 100+ year old Red Oak. These small Maple trees were never going to reach maturity given the enormous canopy already fully developed above them. She asked me in a curious tone what I was going to do with the trees after I cut them down. I told her my plan was to just drag them into the woods behind our house and eventually turn them into firewood. She did not approve. Instead, she said we should make something. She said we should make a desk. And that's what we did...

Less than a year later, The Oak Coop was coined.

After a very rewarding 20-year career, leading a variety of billion dollar brands' marketing campaign strategies across a a healthy mix of media, I decided to pivot. I wanted more purpose in my day. I wanted to pursue a professional life that I feel passionate about every day. And I wanted my work product to be tangible and last, forever.

I always had a propensity for fixing things. I was "handy". Happy to fix whatever I could around the house. Comfortable with just about all tools. Plus, any excuse to buy a new shiny tool was always welcomed :) I remember buying my first router and flattening bit so my daughter and I could surface her new desk (picture below). It was a great day!

Anyway, I'm now obsessed with making functional products from the highest quality domestic and exotic hardwoods responsibly sourced from select suppliers across the US. My hope is that you'll see each product I make as a work of art, a new family heirloom, and/or a bespoke treasure.

Contact me. I'd love nothing more than to help bring your visions to life.