Al began woodworking in his early teen years and continued working with wood, building things for his own home and for friends, while working 20 years for Procter & Gamble. In 1987, Wood Creations by Al Sinclair was launched in Albany, Georgia, then moved to Owensville, just east of Cincinnati in 1988, with a fully equipped shop and part time help.

Al and his wife, Suzanne Stevens, moved to Peebles, Ohio, 60 miles east of Cincinnati, in 1995 to establish her dream: a retreat and learning center. Woodworking continued in a new shop, until 2002, when Al took over the day to day management of Hope Springs Institute. Al also organized, managed the kitchen and cooked for guests. Woodworking was put on hold until Al retired himself from Hope Springs to rekindle his other love: woodworking.