Daily Inspiration: Meet Curtis Wasmer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis Wasmer. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Built on the Rock is a premier source for driftwood furniture, home and landscape decor, and driftwood sculpture. Built on the Rock came to life as a way to explore my creative side. I now blend my extensive carpentry experience with artistic vision using driftwood recovered along the rivers here in middle America. 

We operate out of a small shop here in Nashville. We love to give new life and purpose to the driftwood we recover, finding ways to showcase the beauty of nature. We market our work through our website, by participating in vendor fairs in and around Nashville, and by welcoming anyone to come and visit our workshop. Over several years we have shipped or personally delivered our work to customers in 15 different states here in the US. Our work is proudly represented in Australia, Japan, and in several European countries. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I suppose “smooth road” is a relative term. There have certainly been hiccups and challenges along the way – there still are. But I thoroughly enjoy what I do, and have met the challenges with a “can-do” attitude. 

One of the greater struggles has been on the marketing side of doing business. Finding avenues to present my work to an appreciative audience, an audience with intent and finances to go with the appreciation and intent has been difficult. Sometimes I fall right into the category of “starving artist”. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Built on the Rock, we’re specific about what we do. We work solely with driftwood as our medium – driftwood that we personally recover here in middle America. We scour the banks of the Ohio River in SW Indiana, the Mighty Mississippi near Memphis, and of course, the Cumberland River right here at home. We search for solid, unique driftwood. Giving new meaning and a second life to what others see as a nuisance, or at best “firewood”, gives us great satisfaction. Quality craftsmanship and originality in our work is our highest priority. 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Jean, my wife of 32 years, is my number one fan and supporter. Without her, and her hard work, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. Most recently, Britney was hired to help me navigate the online world. She has reconstructed our website and guides me to be relevant on social media. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: builtontherockdriftwood.com
• Instagram: @builtontherockdriftwood
• Facebook: @builtontherockdriftwood
• Youtube: Built on the Rock driftwood decor