Carlos Rendón’s hometown has been filled with furniture workshops for as long as he can remember. For years and generations, the people of El Retiro have honed the craft of woodworking, and today, between the rural and urban areas of the municipality, there are over 120 workshops. Among these artisans is Carlos himself, who got his first job in a woodworking shop and has since dedicated his life to the craft.

Carlos recalls being 13 years old and running errands or bringing snacks to his father, Enrique Rendón, at the workshop where he worked. He enjoyed staying there, chatting with his father’s carpenter colleagues, and it was through these interactions that he got his first job: collecting wood shavings and cleaning the shop. Later, he was allowed to sand, fill nail holes with putty, and paint a first coat on pieces. At just 16, he asked the workshop owner to let him work with the machines. Despite initial resistance due to his young age, Carlos convinced him by assuring he had the necessary skills since he had enrolled in a course at Sena. He persisted even more as he asked for more challenging tasks, especially in furniture assembly, which truly drew his attention. Learning through hands-on experience, Carlos eventually proved himself by successfully assembling a bed, despite a minor mistake with a piece of plywood. The workshop owner then told him, “Make two more,” and thus Carlos became an assembler like his father.

This craftsman has always been passionate about his trade, persevering through four bankruptcies. His first setback occurred when he opened his own workshop at 18 but had to return to a larger shop due to a lack of customers. He has faced every challenge with the same bravery as his father, who left a demanding job as a steward to learn carpentry as an adult. This was a feat of great willpower, and required time, but Carlos describes his father as a man of immense nobility who succeeded and spent many years assembling furniture. Following in his father’s footsteps, Carlos now sees his own son, Juan Carlos, eager to continue the family tradition. Juan Carlos helps with production and has acquired extensive knowledge. He is fortunate to have a father who enjoys sharing his expertise, understanding that one leaves this world without taking anything, not even one’s wisdom. With this same generosity, Carlos has taught others from scratch as an instructor for Sena, Comfenalco, the Ministry of Culture, and the local government.

In nearly 50 years, Carlos has crafted many things from oak, cedar, teak, and cypress: houses where he constructs walls and roofs from just a base, countless pieces of furniture, and one of his proudest achievements, an 11-meter-tall altar for the church in Amagá, built from a drawing. After so many years in the trade, he misses his workshop even during short breaks. That’s why he constantly thinks about woodworking and remains deeply in love with his craft, always working on projects and enjoying the satisfaction of his clients.