Carly Macellaro
How I started:
What began as a creative way to save money for a wedding turned into the start of something much bigger. I decided to make the wedding tables myself—ripping apart old pallets, adding wood skirts, sanding them smooth, and making sure no nails would snag a dress or tablecloth. It was way more affordable than renting, and honestly, I had an absolute blast. Nineteen dinner tables later—plus coffee tables, high-top cocktail tables, a 16-foot head table with lights, and all the signage—I was hooked.
From there, woodworking became more than a one-time project. I started building all sorts of things, including a “catio”—yes, a patio for cats. It’s a screened-in space connected to the house where our cats can safely lounge and watch the world go by. That build sparked a deeper love for creating unique, useful things, and before long I was sharing my DIY adventures on YouTube to help others feel confident tackling their own projects.
But the real turning point came with a cocktail.
At a restaurant, I witnessed a Manhattan in a smoky, dramatic wooden box. I was so inspired I decided to build one for my stepdad. The first version I built was a prototype made of plywood—simple but functional—and it eventually became the starting point for what’s now known as the Rail Cocktail Smoker Box. It wasn’t a business idea at the time, just a gift from the heart. But that little box planted a seed.
After I finished my stepdad’s version—crafted from walnut wood that came from his dad’s farm in Walnut, Iowa, and personalized with the family’s cattle brand—I gave my plywood prototype to a friend. She proudly showed it off, and within a day, someone asked if I could make five boxes. After I showed pictures of the beautiful hardwood grains in the walnut box I had made, she decided she wanted hers made from hardwood too. That became my first sale to my first customer—and the moment the Cocktail Smoker Box started to become something more.
Since then, I’ve refined the design, upgraded the finish, and added laser customization. What started as a one-off gift has grown into my Top Shelf Smoker Box, still one of my favorite items to make.