With These Hands We Create
By Marlene Prosser
David was born and raised in Springfield in the Upper Hill District. His love for woodworking stems from growing up watching his grandfather making things around the house and being creative.
He never thought that he would venture into woodworking, but he was always dabbling in making stuff. He never put two and two together, he credits his wife with encouraging him to pursue his natural abilities. Woodworking came so naturally to him, that he decided he would use what he has learned over his lifetime.
David soon left his corporate job to do what he loves. He does a variety of projects, honing his craft. He works in his basement with plans to expand into his garage as he quickly outgrew his basement.
David’s woodworking business was a natural process. He loves looking at the grain patterns that distinct types of wood have and patterns that he can create using glue to combine different woods together.
David’s customers usually come to him with an image or a question, can you do this? He says that’s how the conversation begins. He loves the process of starting a project and following through to the outcome that he created with his own hands. He loves a challenge.
He also loves it when he completes a project for a customer, and they love what he created. David has built many things from home décor to industrial shelving, among other things. David is very resourceful, depending on the project he will use what is around him or go out and purchase what he needs.
The happiness of a customer after seeing what he has created for them is his reward beyond financial gain. David has donated his time to work on projects for which he will not receive financial compensation. He believes in giving back.
Covid opened the doors for him to do his business because he can run his business without having in-person meetings or in-home projects.
The creativity runs through his family. He wanted to teach his children at an early age to strive for the best by pursuing their passions. His daughter makes jewelry at the tender age of six. Both of his sons drew, and they started doing a comic book because they also love to tell stories. His wife makes journals, and David says she is extremely creative. He says it is such a blessing to see his family doing something for themselves that they love.
He credits his brother-in-law Alexander Cruz-Marrero who is a 17-year-old senior at Putnam with the design of his business logo.
When asked what advice he would give to anyone wanting to start their own business, he replied “Start with your passion, something that you love and run with it”. He believes “if you’re doing something you love, no one can say you’re doing it wrong”.
