Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Taiye Doughty, owner of Walker Nickel Inc., located in San Diego, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Walker Nickel Inc. is a full-service furniture fabrication and design company that specializes in the design and fabrication of custom bespoke furniture casework, furnishings, and objects of desire. Some of our specialty furniture items are bars, sideboards, side tables, dining tables, desks, benches, and specialty cabinets. Our customers are seeking an unparalleled sense of gratification, fulfillment, and enjoyment when it comes to furnishing their living or work environment. Our approach is simple, We listen. We listen to our customers, and we create a partnership with them. We make sure that every step of the way, from concept to fabrication, our customers are enjoying their masterful work of art coming to life. It is totally ok to have a bunch of fun through our process. We encourage you to have fun!
Tell us about yourself
Since childhood, I have had an avid appreciation for the arts and humanities. As a youth, I spent much of my time working with my hands. My typical Friday after-school routine was to visit the local art store and fill a basket with items so I could spend the weekend creating and building things from scratch. Sunday evening after dinner was the big reveal to my family. (The schooner made from toothpicks and balsa wood and a working rocket ship were fan favorites!) I also spent quite a bit of time with my head buried in Architectural Digest magazines and visiting museums. I believe that art and design are a part of my DNA. I studied interior design in college and then went to architecture school. Upon completing my academic studies, I pursued a career in construction management. It was all about the "business" of art and design coming to life through a construction project. I spent 25 years in construction management.
One day I realized that a big part of what I loved most was missing from my everyday life. Creating and fabricating. Frustration set in, and my quality of life sank. One day I was in an NYC coffee shop with a friend discussing what was missing from my life and why I was feeling so unsatisfied. She looked at me and said, "Well, Go get your new life!" It was at that point that I made the decision to bring back all of what I am passionate about into my daily routine. I spent the next year programming, planning, and executing a change. It was then that the seed for Walker Nickel was planted and was germinating. Fast forward two years, I left my corporate executive position. I moved from Brooklyn, NY, to San Diego, California, to work full time for myself. My motivation each day is standing in my workshop at the start of the day and taking a pause for gratitude. I am joyous to be in this amazing environment and workshop that I have created. I not only get to create and build, but I get to bring people along for the ride. We have a lot of fun.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I do my best to hand-deliver our projects. Experiencing firsthand the excitement joy on customers' faces when they see their custom creation is a huge accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When you are an employee working in a group, you have a team of folks around you. When you are a small solo business owner, it can get lonely. I equate it to playing a game in a sports arena when there are no fans in the seats cheering for you. It can take some getting used to. I am now getting acclimated to playing the game and scoring points. I just imagine that the fans are watching and cheering from home on their televisions sets.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have an exceptional understanding of not only what you do but why you do it.
- Working every day on something that you are passionate about is great; however, passion alone does not run a business. If you do not come from a business background, make sure you have some folks around you that are good at the business aspects of "running a business," accounting, marketing, sales, etc. That doesn't necessarily mean that you need to start off by hiring these people. But you should have this kind of folks in your professional circle.
- Know that there are some tough days and that it can get very lonely being an entrepreneur. Having a network of fellow entrepreneurs is very helpful. They will remind you that you are not alone. You can also share stories and bounce ideas off each other.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.walkernickel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkernickeldesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/walker-nickel/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
