Derik VanVleet

Derik VanVleet is the owner and founder of VanVleet Woodworking LLC, a custom furniture and woodworking business. Here are some key details about Derik and his company:

Background and Career

Derik took an unconventional path into woodworking and starting his own business. He initially pursued a career in information technology after graduating with a business computer degree.1 Over the course of 18 years, he worked in various technical positions including:

• Director at PwC
• Director of Cloud Strategy at Google BU for Cloud Sherpas
• Solutions Engineer at Cloud Sherpas
• Senior Solutions Architect-Partner Alliances at Quest Software
• System Administrator at Union Planters Bank
• Systems Administrator at Akibia

Transition to Woodworking

Derik's woodworking journey began shortly after getting married and buying a fixer-upper house. Due to budget constraints, he started building furniture himself instead of buying it.1 This continued as a hobby for 18 years alongside his technology career.

In 2017, feeling burned out from the tech world, Derik decided to take a leap and start his own woodworking business full-time.1 He laid the groundwork, recruited clients, and then left the tech industry to focus on VanVleet Woodworking LLC.

VanVleet Woodworking LLC

As the owner of VanVleet Woodworking LLC, Derik designs and builds custom furniture using solid hardwood materials. His approach emphasizes:

• Creating functionally beautiful pieces
• Hand-selecting all materials
• Using only natural finishes to showcase the wood's beauty
• Meticulously planning and executing each project
• Constantly learning new techniques and pushing design boundaries1

Derik works closely with clients to understand their needs and create one-of-a-kind custom furniture and accessories. His background in engineering and technology allows him to combine technical knowledge with artistic craftsmanship.

Personal

Derik holds a degree in Management Information Systems from The University of Memphis and an associate's degree in Engineering Technology from Lake Michigan College. He credits his wife's support as crucial in allowing him to pursue his woodworking dream full-time.1