Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Buckner.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gary. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started remodeling house with my dad when I started walking. I spent most summers on job site trying to keep my self entertained while my dad took care of business. I learned a lot just being there. I worked for him briefly out of college and in that time, I got my Home Inspection Certification. This allowed me to speak to contractors with the knowledge of the code. U Austin – Major in History and Minor in Business
Out of college I started looking for jobs and soon realized I did not fit into the main stream work force. I went to one interview and decided I wanted to try to make it on my own. I got on craigslist and began looking for any way to make money. I found some guys installing pre-fabricated playscape’s. I started working with them installing. In that process, I saw the terribly cheap materials the playscape’s were made out of and thought they could be made with much better locally sourced materials for approximately the same price. I put out an ad to see if I got any takers. I immediately had a bite. It was a couple wanting a tree house. I told them I had not done one but I could try if they were willing. That was the beginning of a short stint making tree house and playscape’s before I met a guy who started to show me how to make things with found materials. We went dumpster diving for pallet wood. We did a couple of jobs in Austin and then got an opportunity to go to Colorado to do some work. I moved to Denver where we scoured the city for sources (pallets, pallets….) We found so many it was overwhelming. I learned about sourcing found materials and soon became an expert. We got a contract to do the tables at a Dallas restaurant and I ended up moving back to Dallas with that order. I immediately found a niche market when I got to Dallas and soon after started Stash Design. Stash Design was started with an opportunity through the Belmont Hotel. Monte Andersen heard about what I was doing and decided to give me Stash Design the opportunity to spruce up the bar and lounge. Soon after we were getting all kinds of inquiries to build and do different projects which has led us to where we are today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has never been a smooth ride. Building furniture with reclaimed materials can be fun but it has it hardships for sure. Although the materials are free most of the time… There is still a LOT of labor involved to get the wood or other found material to a point where it can be made into something for a restaurant, bar, office… I started in debt and with nothing. I had to build this business 1 tool at a time.
One of the toughest struggles was the condition of one of my first shops. It was in an old warehouse where Babbs BBQ is now. It was a tin box that got full sun every summer. No Water, no electrical no bathroom. It was terrible but it was all I could afford. We often worked in the shop when the temps were well over 110 degrees inside. My phone would over heat sitting inside in the shade. Somehow, we pushed through but it was really hard to stay motivated in such bad conditions.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Stash Design – what should we know?
STASH DESIGN started in 2011. Sustainable design build firm specializing in found and reclaimed materials. We are known for using reclaimed materials and special finishes in our projects. I am proud of the fact that we have been able to be a part of making Dallas a little different than what you normally see around here. We are set apart by our creative material re use, up-cycling, our small business clients, community and network of great people we are involved with and work with.
We strive to prevent waste and educate people on the practices of re-use, up-cycling and sustainable manufacturing processes. It is our goal to try to educate as many people in these practices and bring up a new generation of makers, builders and craftsman that can sustain or start a business with their own hands.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The Community and network of friends who have promoted and told people about what we do. I have many people to thank for getting us where we are today. In particular, Kim Linder was a co-designer who really helped get us off the ground as a company.
Meghan Buckner left her job and passion as a social worker to help organize and bring structure when it was needed most.
Mr. Gary Buckner Sr., Judy Buckner have helped wherever they can when they can… My grandparents Yvon and Allen Loggins for teaching me so many different things growing up.
My crew Jake, Evelyn, Mike, Jerry, Johnathan, Miguel, Eddie, Valentine, Andrew, Matt Marine Veteran Robert Flores “the scraper” the hardest working guy I know.
And many more people along the way.
Contact Info:
- Address: Tyler Station
1300 South Polk
Dallas, TX 75224 - Website: www.stashdesign.co
- Phone: 469-867-8648
- Email: gary@stashdesign.co
- Instagram: @stashdesign
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/stashdesign
Image Credit:
Ty Stepp
Kelsi Foster
Doug Klembara
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