Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Conklin
Wendy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I never set out to build a colorful chair business—but that’s exactly what happened. I started out as an elementary teacher, then moved into curriculum writing and presenting for an educational publishing company. It was a solid career, but something was missing. I’ve always been creative, and in 2012, I decided to take an upholstery course just for fun. From the first class, I was hooked.
What started as a hobby quickly turned into a side hustle. I began restyling old chairs with bold fabrics and fun patterns, and before long, friends and strangers were asking me to help them do the same. I opened an Etsy shop and started taking custom orders while still working full time. Eventually, the day job had to go. I took out a loan, asked for a six-month leave from work, and jumped in with both feet. Within two days, I knew I was never going back.
I decided to focus on chairs and let go of all the rules, embracing color, whimsy, and joy. That’s when Chair Whimsy really took off. With the help of a business coach, I fine-tuned my focus and followed my creative instincts—and people noticed.
In 2019, I launched my first online course, DIY Upholstery, to teach others how to create their own one-of-a-kind chairs. That one course grew into several more, from fabric styling to sourcing and even how to build a chair business. During the pandemic, the courses struck a chord with thousands of women looking for something fun and creative.
Now, I split my time between creating custom chairs for clients and teaching adult students how to do what I do. I live in a color-filled, personality-packed home in Round Rock, Texas with my husband and our sweet pup, Maui—and I’m on a mission to help others create a home (and life!) that brings them joy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I faced in starting my business was fear—plain and simple. I was afraid to charge enough for my work, but I was also afraid I wouldn’t make enough to support myself. It’s that classic dilemma so many creatives face: we love what we do, but putting a price on it feels uncomfortable, especially in the beginning.
On top of that, I was still working my full-time job when I launched Chair Whimsy, so I had to hustle hard. There were no evenings or weekends off. I spent every spare moment building the business—working late into the night, managing custom orders, learning new skills, and trying to figure it all out as I went. My kids were teenagers at the time, which made things even trickier. Balancing work, family, and a growing side hustle was a constant juggling act.
But I kept showing up. I believed in what I was building, even when it was hard. Eventually, the momentum started to build—and so did my confidence. I learned to push through the fear, trust myself, and stop playing small.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I turn ordinary, forgotten chairs into bold, joyful statement pieces bursting with color and personality. My work is all about transforming spaces—and lives—through creativity. Whether I’m making a custom piece for a client or teaching students how to do it themselves, I’m on a mission to make the world a more vibrant place, one chair at a time.
How do you think about happiness?
I find my happiness by creating. Whether it’s transforming an old chair with joyful colors or helping someone else do the same, creativity grounds me and lifts me at the same time. It’s how I process emotions, connect with others, and bring more beauty into the world.
I find happiness in helping others rediscover their own creativity. Seeing someone light up because they made something beautiful with their own hands—that’s a kind of joy that never gets old.
I find happiness in color. Bold patterns, unexpected combinations, and rooms that feel alive—they remind me that life doesn’t have to be beige. Even in hard seasons, surrounding myself with color reminds me that joy is still possible.
I find happiness by showing up for myself. That means making space for what I love, giving myself grace, and continuing to grow—even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about choosing not to stay stuck in fear or in the past, but instead moving toward a life that feels like me.
And most of all, I find happiness by creating a home—and a life—that inspires me. One filled with purpose, whimsy, and plenty of room to play.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chairwhimsy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairwhimsy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chairwhimsy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChairWhimsy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chairwhimsy
