Built one at a time for entrepreneurs turning a big dream into a real, rolling business. Designed with you, never pulled off a shelf.
People often think my name is Joy. It's not, but joy is exactly why I started this.
For three years I built carts on nights, weekends and summer breaks while teaching sixth grade. What began as a way to earn a little extra turned into something I genuinely love. This year, I'm retiring from the classroom to do it full-time.
I'm one of few women doing this kind of woodworking, and I build for all kinds of entrepreneurs chasing a dream of their own. I think that's the coolest thing in the world. They grow, I grow, and I get a front-row seat to it all.
This isn't a rushed, one-size-fits-all build. I want to understand your business, design the cart with you, and create something that feels like it was made for the way you actually work.
I start from a proven, rock-solid base cart and build it around your business: the layout, the colors, the cutouts, the little details that make it feel like yours.
A signature wood top, drop-in sink, pitcher rinser, knockbox and fold-out shelves come together into a full mobile espresso bar on locking wheels. Need running water? I now offer custom coffee carts with integrated plumbing, designed around your business needs and with health department requirements in mind.
Your choice of stainless or acrylic food wells set into a warm wood top, with side prep space and fold-out shelves: built for styling beautiful grazing spreads.
Eye-catching display tops with wells for jars, scoops and toppings: sweet little storefronts for candy and dessert. For ice cream, choose insulated ice cream shrouds or an installed freezer cart.
Mobile bars with ice wells, bottle storage and generous serving tops. A newer style adds a two-level service area with a raised U-shaped top and a large work surface: perfect for dirty sodas, beverages and specialty drinks at any event or pop-up.
Got something new in mind? Bring it on. Some of my favorite builds started as a sketch and a "could you make…?" Think nacho carts, baby-shower onesie carts, slime party carts, dirty soda carts, jewelry carts, farmers-market carts and brand pop-up carts.
Solid plywood construction, smooth painted or stained finishes, and locking casters so your cart moves when you do and stays put when you don't.
Every cart here was dreamed up with a real person and built by hand for a real business. Tap any photo to take a closer look.
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Beachy Blue
Dreamy Lavender
Swipe or use the arrows to browse every cart →
Machines, freezers and containers aren't included in the base build; you choose what you need and it's added to your final invoice.
A cart is just the start. Many of the people I've built for have gone on to storefronts, weekend markets and businesses of their own.
"A grazing bar that styles a full spread."
A custom charcuterie cart with stainless wells, built to lay out gorgeous grazing spreads on site.
GRAZE Charcuterie Bar
"A full coffee bar on wheels."
A black mobile espresso cart with a signature wood top and drop-in sink, now pouring lattes at events and pop-ups.
Espress-Oh! Coffee
"Branded in her colors, booked solid."
A custom cart finished in her signature pink with a fold-out side shelf, styled with florals and a QR code for easy booking.
Get On Board · Charcuterie by Kenya
"The centerpiece of every event."
A warm cedar dessert cart that anchors show-stopping displays: cakes, macarons, cupcakes, balloon arch and all.
S&J Cupcakery
"A full espresso bar, ready to pour."
A signature wood-top coffee cart with a drop-in sink, built for Stallion Coffee Co. and styled for events and pop-ups.
Stallion Coffee Co.
"Furniture-grade, down to the panel front."
A coffee cart with a raised custom panel front and crown molding, built for Brew House Coffee Co.
Brew House Coffee Co.
"A dessert table that travels."
A dessert and treat cart for Sugar Rush Temptations, with topping wells, a parasol and a glowing branded front.
Sugar Rush Temptations
"An espresso bar that sets the mood."
A white espresso cart with a warm wood top and a branded front, built for le crème Espresso Bar and styled for elegant indoor events.
le crème Espresso BarReal Woodshop Joy carts, out in the world working for the businesses they were built for. Yours could be next →
No online checkout, no menus, no disappearing act. We design yours together, every step of the way.
Send a note about your business and the cart you're dreaming about. I read and reply to every message myself.
We talk it all through (cart type, colors, cutouts, shelves, umbrella, stained vs. painted top) until it fits how you'll work.
A clear quote with your exact options and a realistic timeline. Want to spread it out? We can set up simple installments first.
Carts are built in the order deposits come in. Once your project's turn arrives, your cart is handcrafted one at a time with care, and I'll keep you posted along the way.
Pick up your finished cart in the Rochester Hills, Michigan area and roll it out ready to work, and watch your business grow!
Accepted payment methods include Venmo, PayPal and Zelle, with debit and credit card options available. Flexible payment plans and financing options available. I never want price to be the reason a first-time business owner can't get started. Ask me about splitting your build into simple installments or financing your cart.
Financing available"Laura did an amazing job building my treat carts! From start to finish, she kept me updated on the progress and made sure I knew exactly how everything was coming along. Her communication, craftsmanship, and attention to detail were outstanding. I couldn't be happier with the finished product. I highly recommend Laura to anyone looking for a high quality custom cart — you will not be disappointed."
"The finished cart exceeded my expectations and is a beautiful centerpiece for my business! I highly recommend Laura to anyone looking for someone who takes pride in their work, delivers exceptional quality, and provides an outstanding customer experience. Thank you, Laura!"
"Laura was absolutely incredible to work with!! She is so kind, communicative, helpful, and she does AMAZING work! She checked in with me so much throughout the design and build process and always let me know what was going on!! She lets you customize the cart to fit your needs and puts care and attention into each detail! I am obsessed with my coffee cart, and would work with Laura every time! :) thank you so much Woodshop Joy!!!"
"Thank you SO much Laura! Your honesty, attention to detail, and professionalism throughout this process was incredible. You made everything so easy, and our cart turned out amazing! ❤"
"Laura has an incredible skill. She built a mobile cart from scratch, and the result is amazing. I highly recommend Woodshop Joy if you're in the market for a mobile cart!"
"Woodshop Joy was so easy to work with and very responsive. She gave weekly updates and designed us an incredible cart that will help us keep a good flow while serving our customers delicious drinks. We will be ordering our next cart this winter. 100% recommend."
"Laura was an absolute joy to work with in creating my cart for my business, The Sweets Carriage! She collaborated with me and helped bring my vision to life. I'd recommend her to anyone interested in getting a cart made!"
"Highly recommend! Laura was such a pleasure to work with and my cart came out amazing. The set-up is so quick and easy."
"I reached out to Woodshop Joy after seeing her ad for custom dessert carts. I'm getting ready to launch a mobile cake business but wasn't looking for a full cart, so I asked if she could build something to hold my topping containers. Laura worked with me to come up with a beautiful, professional looking way to display my toppings at an event. She communicated with me during the entire build process and delivered on time. I love my tabletop display!!!"
I'm currently booking custom builds. Share a few details and I'll personally get back to you to start designing yours together.
Custom carts are quoted individually based on size, finish, cutouts, shelves, sinks, umbrellas and other build details. Most custom builds begin around $1,175+ depending on selected options. Simple installment plans and financing are available.
It takes about two minutes. I'll ask for:
Your details come straight to Laura, and I personally reply to every inquiry, usually within a couple of days.
Still curious about something? Just ask in your inquiry. I'm happy to help.
Carts are built in the order deposits come in, so your place in line is set by your deposit date. Once your project's turn arrives, the build itself takes time depending on the size and details. I'll always give you a realistic timeline up front so you know what to expect.
Yes! White and black are the classics, but I can paint your cart just about any custom color to match your brand. Stained natural-wood tops are an option too.
Quality is everything, because your cart has to hold up to real work. The tops are made from premium birch plywood, and the base is built from sanded three-quarter-inch plywood for strength. Everything is finished with Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane, a premium urethane enamel that dries to a hard, durable finish, stands up to frequent cleaning and everyday wear, resists sticking and yellowing, and gives you the smooth look of an oil-based finish so your cart stays beautiful on the road.
Absolutely. Drop-in sinks, pitcher rinsers, knockboxes, stainless or acrylic food wells, fold-out side shelves, interior storage and parasol umbrellas are all available. We'll choose what fits how you'll actually work. Integrated plumbing is now available too, designed with health department requirements in mind.
You choose all of the accessories, whether that's umbrellas, containers, pitcher rinsers, a sink or a freezer. I usually order them so they're on hand during the build, which lets me get every measurement exactly right, and the cost is added to your final invoice. Some clients prefer to provide their own accessories and get them to me before the build, and others bring them along in person. Whatever solution fits your needs, we'll make it work.
If the back seats in your vehicle fold down, the standard cart should fit. Fully collapsed, it measures 56 inches long, 29 inches wide and about 12 inches tall.
Very. I design my carts to be easy to manage on your own, since many of my clients run their businesses independently. Each cart is fully collapsible, every piece is a manageable weight (the heaviest is 26 pounds), and it takes just a few minutes to put together or take down. No tools needed, and if your vehicle seats fold down, it will fit.
All carts are picked up in person in the Rochester Hills, Michigan area. I'll have yours ready and walk you through loading it the day you come by.
Your spot in line is reserved with a deposit, and the balance is due before pickup. Simple installment options and financing are available, because I never want price to be the reason a first-time business owner can't get started. I accept Venmo, PayPal and Zelle, plus debit and credit cards.
Often, yes. Some of my favorite builds started as a sketch and a "could you make…?" Send me your idea and I'll tell you honestly whether it's something I can do.
Fill out the inquiry form above with a few details about your business and your dream cart. I read and reply to every message personally.
Not at all. Plenty of people come to me with just a vision and a vibe, and we figure out the details together. That's honestly the fun part.
