My love for building and creating began long before I ever set foot in a professional woodshop. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, my childhood was filled with kinds of projects—from building forts in the woods to elaborate Lego creations strewn across the living room floor; I’ve always used my hands to make things.

​One of my earliest memories of woodworking was making a Pinewood Derby car with my dad while in Boy Scouts. He helped translate the vision I had in my mind into reality, showing me how to shape the wood and bring my design to life. Not long after, an eighth grade shop class ignited the spark that has illuminated my path since. My shop teacher, Mr. Nelson, encouraged us to use our imaginations and go beyond the basic designs. He showed us that we could make something that was not only useful but also attractive. That idea, of making things that are both functional AND beautiful captivated me. This aspect of woodworking instantly appealed to me and continues to inspire me today.