Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Wayne.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tyler. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up in Austin I was always tinkering with things, from Legos to broken gadgets and beyond. Encouraged and taught by my father from a young age, I took to learning how to use all sorts of tools, how things were assembled and how to fix things around the house. In high school, I got my first project car, a 1968 Mercury Cougar that was in need of a full restoration. This further motivated my desire to learn more about how things work, and how to work on them. It should be no surprise that I majored in Mechanical Engineering at SMU and soon went to work in the manufacturing field. I worked at a facility that was the proverbial “kid in a candy shop” for any mechanically inclined person. We had a huge variety of machines spanning 9 acres, cranking out hand tools 7 days a week. A few years later I transitioned into a corporate gig after the honeymoon period wore off. I was enjoying the less stressful environment but was feeling unsettled as mid-20’s kid that was looking for more. I filled my off work time with home projects, travel, cars and motorcycles. In late 2013, a couple of lifelong friends recommended for me to sign up for an Etsy shop. Oblivious to what this was, I signed up and my imagination went to work. Throughout 2014 I struggled to balance growing my Etsy business and traveling on and off for work. It came to a head at the end of that year, when I decided to quit and pursue my business full time. The start of 2015 was a whirlwind, I was ripe with motivation and the possibility of what could be, but was very grounded by the fact that I have bills to pay and other responsibilities. I soon started meeting a lot of self-employed artists, makers, entrepreneurs and the like. Discussions with these people that I now call good friends, helped motivate and support me to get me where I am today.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course not! The “biggest” struggle along the way was rapidly having to expand my knowledge base to aid my organic growth. My engineering background helps with design, materials, and manufacturing, but I had the entire business element to take on as well. Maintaining my creative momentum while learning about marketing, sales, bookkeeping and other business elements proves an ongoing struggle as the retail and design landscape is ever changing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Wayne Works – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I founded Wayne Works in 2014 to showcase my creative and constructive nature. I design and fabricate custom furniture, lighting and home furnishings. My work is focused on combining my engineering background and creative designs to produce unique and balanced pieces in a range of mediums. Material and mechanical science has always interested me and being able to create pieces that utilize my range of knowledge makes me proud. What sets me apart is that I have a high attention to detail and understand how materials interact with each other. I combine this with concerted design elements for ergonomics, balance, movement, durability and other often overlooked aspects. I spend a lot of time unseen to my clients and the public on how pieces should be built, material usage and fitment, hidden fasteners and order of assembly processes.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Dallas is great city that affords people the opportunities that not all cities do. Since we have a large corporate headquarter presence, it brings a diversity of professional disciplines and a strong economy, which in turn helps the local businesses to thrive. Growing up in Austin and being a person that enjoys the outdoors, Dallas does not offer some of the uniqueness that states like Colorado, Utah and other northwest states do. However Dallas does afford me the access and ability to travel, be close to family and friends and run a successful business.
Contact Info:
- Address: 718 W Davis St, Dallas TX 75208
- Website: www.wayneworkstexas.com
- Phone: 5124318668
- Email: info@wayneworkstexas.com
- Instagram: wayneworkstx
- Facebook: facebook.com/wayneworksinfo
Image Credit:
Renaissance Hotel and personal images are by Jacque Manaugh Photography.
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
