Meet Ryan Zeek” Jennings | Woodworker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan “Zeek” Jennings and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan “Zeek”, why did you pursue a creative career?
To express myself. I found in woodworking the ability to blend visual art with the art of expression and movement through my work. I have always liked to design, build, and create and my mother’s side of the family are engineers, so believe it is in my blood. My grandfather was an engineer, and had a passion for furniture making and woodworking, and so was his father and grandfathers in Argentina. With cabinetry experience early in my career, I was able to reconnect with that side of myself. As a former athlete and someone who has always been on my feet and working with my hands, I am able to blend my physical and mental abilities into one passion while creating. As many people do, I bottle up thoughts and emotions and find that woodworking allows me to cope and express myself through creativity and art. Seeing happiness in others make me happy, so I really enjoy when a person genuinely loves something that I have created.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After regrettably choosing not to pursue a baseball career, one of my first jobs was building cabinets. That got me started on the long journey to where I am today. I worked several jobs for a few different companies, mostly in warehousing or construction as I do not have a college degree. I worked for granite companies, warehouses, moving companies and even temp work and odd jobs. I used to think that made me not good enough, but am very thankful for those experiences as they have helped shaped the person I am today. About 6 six years ago, I got back in the cabinet business shortly after buying our first home. With wanting to do projects around the house, and being around cabinetry again, it rekindled my love for building and creating. I slowly started buying tools, and doing installations in my free time beginning in 2016-2017. That slowly turned into more and more business, and officially became Jennings Woodworks in March 2022. I want Jennings Woodworks to be known for quality and service. I want my work to speak for who I am, a person proud of my past and imperfections and to motivate others to do the same. Regardless of where you come from or how different from other people you may feel you are, you can make something great that someone can love and appreciate for a lifetime.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta and the metro area have a lot to offer making this one tough. I would have to take them to an Atlanta United game, a tour around the city, and eat at a number of well known restaurants. Visit Pasadita Taqueria, a small Mexican restaurant in Mableton that has the best tacos I have come across in Atlanta, or anywhere else. I like being outdoors so any hikes, parks, or sports would be on the list, and of course, “Shoot the Hooch”. I also live close to Lake Allatoona (don’t go to the other one), so a day on a pontoon boat and grill out after. I do enjoy a drink, so any of the local breweries and wineries would be on my list.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would dedicate the shoutout to my family. Not just blood, but the friends who chose to be a part of my family as well. To my friends and family that are no longer with us, especially my grandfather “Tata” and my friend, who was more of a brother, Blake. My daughter Harper Blake, and son Dax Newton. Blake being my aforementioned friend, and Newton being Tata’s last name so you can see the impact those two people have on me. The design team, wife Lauren, and our friend Kim. My wife for everything, the support, knowledge, patience, hard work, and allowing me to purse my passion (and for listening to me vent about it daily, sorry!). Kim for being there for my wife, family and I, helping on several projects, and being my first customer. My friend and helper Jeremy has also been like a brother to me since high school, has worked with me through a lot of my career, and continues to be my partner in crime on large projects and installations. My mom, dad, siblings, my aunt Susan, and other close friends have a big impact on me as well. All of my clients for trusting in me, any one who doubted me for pushing me to be better. The list is long, and perhaps why I feel that I have something to prove and to make everyone mentioned proud, as well as myself.

Website: coming soon

Instagram: @jenningswoodworks

Facebook: @jenningswoodworks