Exploring Life & Business with Aram Terry of MasayaCo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aram Terry

Hi Aram, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Nashville and attended Hume Fogg for high school. After earning a business degree from Boston University, I joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to Nicaragua, where I saw firsthand the devastating effects of deforestation on the landscape. This experience had a profound impact on my journey.
In 2008, my father and I started a reforestation project that eventually became MasayaCo, Masaya Homes, and Masaya Teak. Our goal was (and still is) to restore degraded cattle pastures by planting and managing sustainable forests. And in doing so, addressing both environmental and social challenges.
Deforestation in Nicaragua typically happens out of economic necessity, when farmers clear land to make a living. Our mission is to make reforestation profitable through our “Seed to Seat” business model. We believe reforestation shouldn’t rely solely on government grants or NGOs, as those can be vulnerable to shifting political ideologies. By making reforestation economically self-sustaining, we can protect these efforts from political, and other changes.
Our approach involves using the entire tree, specifically teak, harvested at various stages of growth to create our products. This holistic use of reforested wood maximizes resources helps make reforestation a viable economic practice.
Through sustainable land-use practices, we aim to provide economic opportunities for rural communities while combating climate change and reversing land degradation. It’s all about creating a system that benefits both the environment and the people who depend on it.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has certainly been bumpy, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. One of our biggest challenges is that we are a vertically integrated company with a unique supply chain model. Unlike most of our competitors in the furniture industry, who outsource manufacturing overseas to places like China and Vietnam, we manage every aspect of production ourselves.
From cultivating nurseries and managing reforestation to digital marketing, milling, furniture and ADU fabrication, and even handling delivery logistics—we’ve had to figure it all out. On top of that, we operate sales in four countries: the US (with showrooms in Nashville and Berkeley, plus an online store), as well as Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. Maintaining efficiency with such a broad scope is a constant challenge, but it also sets us apart. In fact, we are likely the only company in the world with a business model like ours.
Despite the hurdles, I’ve learned a tremendous amount along the way. Personally, it’s been a rewarding journey as well. I’ve had the opportunity to live and work between the US and Nicaragua, where I met my wife, Abril, who is also my co-founder. Together, we’ve been fortunate to raise our two daughters in both countries.
Through all the challenges, one of our greatest achievements has been planting over 1 million trees to date, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

We’ve been impressed with MasayaCo, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We operate across three industries: Forestry, Furniture, and Construction. Through MasayaCo, we offer handmade, heirloom-quality furniture, while Masaya Homes specializes in prefabricated homes. What sets us apart is that all of our products are crafted from solid FSC®-certified teak grown on reforestation projects in Nicaragua, aligning with our mission to combat climate change through reforestation and sustainable design.
Our “Seed to Seat” business model represents the full integration of reforestation into our production. We plant teak on previously degraded land, and as these trees grow, they capture carbon, revitalizing the land and helping to mitigate the effects of deforestation. Our reforestation projects cover over 1,300 acres and include a 35% native forest reserve, providing refuge for local wildlife and biodiversity.
To date, we’ve planted over one million trees, and every product we create—whether it’s a MasayaCo furniture piece or a Masaya Homes ADU—directly contributes to reforestation in Central America. Customers aren’t just purchasing beautiful, handmade furniture or homes; they’re becoming part of a larger mission to restore the environment.
Unlike many companies that outsource manufacturing overseas and donate a portion of their profits, we are the reforestation project. We manage the entire process ourselves, from germinating seeds to planting, harvesting, milling, designing, and fabricating. Being fully vertically integrated means that every purchase from us directly supports sustainable forestry and helps ensure a continuous cycle of renewable wood use.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up in Music City, I naturally developed a strong interest in music. In high school, I took up the bass, and I still enjoy playing with my old friends whenever I’m back in town. Music has always been a creative outlet for me, but it wasn’t the only passion that shaped my upbringing.

Both of my parents had careers driven by a deep sense of purpose. My mother was a Special Ed teacher in Nashville’s public school system, and my father was a lawyer who often represented those without a voice. While I’ve always been interested in business, making money for its own sake was never a true source of inspiration for me. I struggled to imagine a career that wasn’t rooted in something bigger—a purpose beyond profit.

I’ve also always been drawn to the physical creation of things, whether it’s buildings, furniture, or forests. There’s something powerful about seeing, touching, and experiencing the tangible results of your work. When I met a French agronomist named Clement Poncon in Nicaragua, who was running a reforestation business to grow trees, capture carbon, and sustainably harvest wood, it struck a chord with me. At that point, he had already planted over 2,000 acres of forests, transforming former cow pastures into vibrant landscapes.

Seeing the profound impact that reforestation had on the land made it clear to me that this was a cause worth dedicating my life to. The connection between physical creation, environmental restoration, and a deeper sense of purpose became the foundation of what I do today.

Pricing:

• The solid teak furniture on our website is priced anywhere from $100-$3000 depending on the type of item

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.masayacompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masayaco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masayacoUS/
• Twitter: https://x.com/masayacompany
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@masayaco