Rising Stars: Meet Taylor Lau

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Lau.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Almost a year ago, I was trying to decide if I should go back to school to become an interior designer or start my own business. After talking with some interior designers and realizing I wanted to do more of the getting my hands dirty and making something, I decided to start a furniture refinishing business. I loved the idea of saving old furniture from getting thrown in the landfill and creating beautiful spaces by giving pieces a new life. Refinishing furniture while I was in college with my friends and having grown up with a dad that could build and fix anything, I had a solid foundation and was able to put that to use as I began finding and refinishing furniture. I have grown in my understanding of refinishing as I take on different pieces and have found so much joy in seeing the pieces transformed.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest struggles has been finding a place to be able to do my refinishing work. Finding workshop space in San Francisco is hard to come by and can be very expensive. In the beginning, I started working out of my mother in laws garage, then moved to refinishing in half of my bedroom and my apartment parking garage for a bit. Now about a month ago, I moved into a new co-working space that has a workshop. While this has been a big struggle, it has also been a huge accomplishment and answered prayer to be able to move into a workshop space in the city.

I also never thought I would start my own business, but here I am learning about everything that comes with owning a business which has been fun, overwhelming and confusing all at once. I am so thankful for my husband, family, and friends that have supported me and taught me things about business that don’t come naturally for me. Through them, I have been able to grow and understand more about being a business owner and have to remind myself over and over it’s okay if I don’t have it all figured out. I just keep moving forward, learning, and keep doing the work I love.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I find pieces of furniture that may be older or in need of an updated look and transform them into completely different pieces. I love breathing new life into furniture others may have given up on. One of the many reasons I started refinishing was because I wanted to be sustainability-focused and help keep furniture from going to our landfills as much as I can. Even if we do a small part, we can make a big impact.

I am proud of the furniture that I have created because I know that I have put my hard work and love into each piece. I find that when I am looking for furniture to refinish, I let the furniture do the talking, meaning when I see a piece I usually either see potential or I don’t and I can envision what it could become. Depending on the condition of the piece, I may do a complete refinish or just a touch-up. Complete refinishing includes cleaning, prepping, sanding, priming, painting or staining, and sealing the piece. Each step is very important in the process to ensure the piece will last for years to come.

Another part of my process is staging and photographing the pieces once they are completed. This brings so much joy to me because this is when get to step back and admire the work I have done. It is so much fun staging pieces so that customers can possibly catch a vision for what it could look like in their own spaces.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The advice I would give for networking is just go for it! Ask people you are already connected too if they know other people that might be good to connect with and do it. Some of the people I have connected with have brought me new experiences, clients and have been people that I have learned from and continue to learn from. Networking can be a bit intimidating for me, but if I can get over that feeling once I actually begin to connect with others it has been so impactful and life-giving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.birch710design.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birch710design/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birch710design