— Our Story

More than furniture.
A community story.

Born in Brașov, built with purpose. The Timber Tale is a social enterprise where woodcraft, education and human stories intertwine.

Workshop
— Mission & Vision

A workshop that
gives back to its city.

The Timber Tale is not a typical furniture company. We are a certified social enterprise — meaning our profits go back into people and community. We employ individuals facing barriers to employment, run free educational workshops for youth, and restore furniture that would otherwise go to waste.

Founded in Brașov under the European Social Fund program "Antreprenoriat Social Urban în Țara Bârsei", we combine modern woodcraft technology with a deeply human mission: proving that a business can be beautiful, profitable and good at the same time.

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— What We Stand For

Our values in every piece.

🌲

Sustainability First

We use FSC-certified wood, low-emission tools (diode laser over CO₂), water-based finishes and reclaimed materials. Every production decision starts with a simple question: does this respect the forest?

🤝

People Over Profit

At least 90% of our profits are reinvested into social objectives — educational workshops, youth grants, community furniture projects. Our team includes people who were previously unemployed or facing professional exclusion.

🔨

Honest Craftsmanship

We don't resell. Everything bearing The Timber Tale name is built or restored by our team in our Brașov workshop. We stand behind every joint, every finish, every piece that leaves our doors.

📚

Education as Impact

We run free woodcraft and digital literacy workshops for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds — minimum 2 series per year, 10 participants each, with a warm meal included. Learning with your hands changes lives.

♻️

Circular Economy

Through our Refurbished line we collect, restore and rehome used furniture. We donate offcuts to schools. We buy second-hand wood from local individuals. Nothing with a story deserves to become landfill.

🏘️

Community Ownership

Our Community platform lets NGOs, schools and families in need submit furniture requests — publicly funded by donors and supporters. Your purchase, your referral, your Tiny Tale contributes to real local change.

Numbers that matter.

5
Jobs Created
4 from vulnerable groups
20+
Pieces Refurbished
In year one alone
200+
Students Reached
Via free workshops
90%
Profit Reinvested
Into social projects
5
Partnerships
NGOs, schools, cafés
— The Founder's Story
Workshop interior

Started by a 21-year-old with a vision.

Teodor Pirpiliu founded The Timber Tale at 21, combining years of civic engagement — including leading the Brașov County Students' Council representing 80,000 students — with technical skills in web development, marketing and business.

The idea was simple: what if a furniture workshop could also be a school, a community center and a social safety net? What if buying a table could mean giving a job, funding a child's lunch, and keeping wood out of a landfill?

"O afacere socială are sens nu doar pentru fondator, ci și pentru comunitate. Cred că un business poate fi durabil și profitabil chiar dacă are în centru grija față de ceilalți."

— Teodor Pirpiliu, Founder

— The People

Built by a small team with big purpose.

TP
Teodor Pirpiliu
Founder & Director

Strategy, web development, community relations. Background in civic leadership and full-stack development.

AD
Atelier Designer
Design & Production Lead

Graduate of Furniture Design & Wood Engineering (UNITBV). Leads product development and production standards.

CM
Communications
Marketing & PR

Manages our platforms, social media, community storytelling and partnerships. Previously inactive on the job market.

AM
Workshop Team
Craftspeople

Two skilled hands (and hearts) — operating CNC, assembly, finishing and packaging. Reintegrated from unemployment.

— Certifications & Recognition

Trusted by standards.

🇪🇺
EU Social Fund PEO/103 · Programul Educație și Ocupare
🏷️
Atestată IS Întreprindere Socială · Legea 219/2015
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FSC Wood Policy Responsible sourcing commitment
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CAEN 3100 Fabricarea de mobilă — principal
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Follow the story.

Monthly updates from the workshop — new pieces, social impact milestones, community stories.