Today we’d like to introduce you to Wayne Stump.
Hi Wayne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I almost got kicked out of grad school.
2012 I was is grad school- a small school in a small town in Huntington, WV. Marshall University. In pursuit of my MFA.
The school had two requirements. Maintain a 3.8gpm and meet with the whole faculty every 6 weeks to discuss pursuing work- this was nerve racking to say the least. If you didn’t leave this meeting questioning your future or existence you did good. I did not.
I came into grad school with a degree in computer science, a minor in marketing and graphic design. My first few meetings with the faculty went well, I had good direction in the graphic design. The following 6 weeks I explored all realms. Coding my own website, photography, even a deep dive into typography. I worked hard. When my 3rd review came up, the faculty unanimously agreed that this program wasn’t for me. I wasn’t exploring anything new. Something that makes you uncomfortable. It wasn’t appealing nor interesting. You must try something new!
During my stay at Marshall I was able to work for the chairman and dean of the art department. So I kissed the right asses to stay. The chairman had recommended I go see a Mr. Jonathan Cox in the sculpture department. Not knowing anything about sculpture, I took a meeting.
With no real direction, he threw a slew of books at me. One being, The soul of a tree by
George Nakashima. I was hooked. Jonathan Cox is still my mentor and close friend to this day.
In retrospect he taught me everything he knows about wood working. Even his sculptural style in the hopes that I would stumble upon my own one day.
It was near graduation, I was working late at a local bistro. An unannounced late arrival came in. No one wanted to take him so I volunteered. Long story short, He’s Damon Graf. His family owns a string of lumber mills throughout the east coast. I expressed what I’m doing and what I’m trying to do.
He was my first investor and Stump Standards was created that night after many bottles of red wine.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
God no.
As it turns out, selling wood sculptures was way more difficult than anticipated. So I made a shift to making custom furniture out of necessity.
I didn’t go to business school. I had no idea the challenges of starting a company or maintaining one. Let alone the complications of hiring help.
What I do is quite laborious and time consuming. I am the worker/ designer and I had to run the company all from day one. It’s a 24hr a day job it seems.
Finding material from companies that align moral code was difficult. I want my products to be responsibly sourced, mature and made in the US.
I ate soup-in-cup for three years before Stump Standards could gain any traction.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Stump Standards is an art studio first and foremost. I don’t want to limit our output. We are known for custom furniture. But we also do architectural millwork, steel fabrication, cabinetry, built-ins, sculptural works etc.
We’re looking for clients with unique taste that matches ours.
We’re known for sourcing the finest materials. Obviously, the ordinary doesn’t interest me. It must have a wow factor. It’s heirloom- why not design/ build it that way?
The process is simple when it comes to custom furniture. Solve the problem with creative solutions. A client always has dimensional restrictions, a style in mind and a specific species they’re after. It’s our job to connect those dots with digital renderings (my first degree) and finished samples. It’s important that the piece(s) we design to look native to the space around it. Matching styles is important. Wood can be modern, it can be rustic. Through the finishing process, we’re able to achieve our clients goals and is 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
I suppose our process is what sets us apart from others. The end product speaks for itself.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
The client & the experience
I think it’s important to create that one of a kind piece for them. Let’s face it. Live edge material isn’t cheap. Natural resources never are. We must appreciate these materials as such and give them the respect they require. Build something that’s truly one of a kind. Whether it’s through traditional woodworking, joinery, or that unique species. It must be timeless, built for decades to come. It must be inviting to touch and aroused the senses.
I’ve put more than a decade into my craft. This is my life’s work. My obsession. I am just trying to show that and pay it forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stumpstandards.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stumpstandards
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stumpstandards
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTSJrGvmU/
