I’m originally from New York City where I fell into this field by accident. I was a knucklehead in high school who didn’t like being there and rarely went.

One day I was caught leaving and was brought into the office. They looked at my file and said he never comes, just throw him in the wood shop for the day. I took to it like a duck to water! I finished the semester’s project in 3 days with 2 weeks left in the marking period, getting my FIRST passing mark since being in high school.

At that point I went from failing everything and never going to class to a 95 average in every class from there on! 

I’ve been in the woodworking field for over 30 years fabricating, installing and finishing high-end furniture. About 20 years ago I began to focus just on the finishing process almost exclusively. New York is such a competitive market so being skilled in multiple parts of your trade are a huge bonus. Being able to repair furniture you work on was a necessity.

I started my company in 2007 catering to cabinet and furniture shops that didn’t have or couldn’t afford a finisher. I offered ‘freelance finishing’ only when they needed it which kept overhead low for them; Completing their work in their shops after they’ve left for the day and often working through the night…This was after I left my day job and over the weekends.

My first job after moving to Maryland was for a restoration company called Joseph’s Refinishing and Upholstery  where I was their outside repair tech in addition to some of the refinishing in the shop. My second job was running the finishing department for TW Perry for about 4 years. I created the door finishing system they still currently use today!