Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Walker.
Hi Derek, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from a small town in Northwest Ireland called Donegal, and moved to Nashville in 2013. My passion for woodworking began in my childhood, helping my grandfather in his garage and crafting my first birdhouse at the age of 9. While in high school, I honed my skills at a local woodshop, crafting everything from stairs to windows. After a break for college and moving to the US, I returned to woodworking and officially launched Walker & Wood in 2017 as a side hustle, building smaller items such as cutting boards. In 2021 we went full time with Walker and Wood and today with our growing team, we operate our workshop in Nashville, creating custom pieces of all kinds, always striving to bring his clients’ visions to life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been an easy road. Trying to start a business with no guidance or mentorship was definitely a struggle. I had the skill to build anything but I didn’t have the business knowledge to help me set up for success.
I had a lot of negative voices in my ear when I first started my social media, posting about cutting boards, corn hole boards etc. ‘How are you going to make a living selling coasters?’, “do you not have anything better to be dong with your spare time?” “Do you even know what you’re doing?’ These were all comments I got when starting out and it does make you doubt your ability and your vision. But I pushed through and decided not to listen, I dedicated myself to my craft and also took time to educate myself on the business side of things too.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Walker & Wood?
We are a custom cabinetry shop. We build everything from custom kitchens to custom built ins to closets.
We have 3 core values at Walker & Wood
Craftsmanship
We have the expertise, skills, and dedication to meet any challenge efficiently. Our commitment to excellence ensures the highest quality craftsmanship in all our work.
Relationships
Building lasting relationships is at the heart of what we do. We take time to get to know our clients and to make sure that every question is answered.
Integrity
We don’t take the responsibility of an investment lightly. We take the upmost care in delivering a product that not just meets expectations but that exceeds.
We pride ourselves on our skill but also the journey we take our clients on. We want to make this as personal as possible, we take the time to listen to what you’re wanting and then we guide you through the process to create something that is one of a kind and that truly elevates your home.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Integrity. We show up when we say we will, we deliver a fantastic product and we don’t leave until our client is ecstatic with the outcome. The construction industry has lost a lot of trust due to poor communication, broken promises and unprofessionalism, we aim to fix that one job at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.walkerandwood.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkerandwood/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkerandwood/
