Christopher Deal shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Christopher, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
“Every day’s a little different, but it always starts early — usually coffee first, then figuring out what needs to get done. Some mornings I’m sketching ideas, other days I’m cutting wood before the sun’s even up. By mid-morning I’m usually covered in sawdust, bouncing between custom orders and my own furniture line. I’ll stop just long enough to answer messages or throw something on social media so folks can see what I’m working on. Afternoons are for putting things together, sanding, finishing — whatever it takes to get projects out the door. I usually end the day sweeping up piles of sawdust and making a mental list for tomorrow. It’s a long day, but I love it — I get to build stuff for a living.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Chris Deal, and I run Grit and Nails — it started as me building custom furniture in a small shop and kind of snowballed into a full-on business. I make farmhouse-style pieces, everything from big dining tables to smaller custom projects, and I’m also working on my own signature furniture line. What makes it fun — and honestly a little crazy — is that no two projects are alike. I’m always balancing custom work with designs I’m trying to streamline, figuring out how to make high-quality, handmade furniture that still feels personal. I’ve been at it since 2017, doing everything myself — building, designing, hauling, even sweeping the floors. Right now I’m focused on getting my furniture line out there and growing the business in a way that stays true to what I love about it — creating something real with my own hands.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before woodworking, I was an equipment manager in college athletics — I spent 7½ years at Duke, was a student manager at Appalachian State, and even did an internship with the Chicago Bears. It was fast-paced, structured, and a long way from how I grew up. I spent my childhood outside in the woods, exploring, figuring things out, just being curious. I never built furniture as a kid, but woodworking brought me back to that same feeling — creating something real with my own hands, being resourceful, and not afraid to get a little dirty doing it.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh yeah — there was this one huge custom cabinetry project for a laundry room, and I’d never done anything like it before. It was way outside my comfort zone, and nothing seemed to go right. At one point, I even had to teach myself how to install crown molding — right there in the client’s driveway. It was stressful and frustrating, and I definitely questioned if I’d bitten off more than I could chew. But I stuck with it, figured it out piece by piece, and by the end it turned out amazing. That project taught me that I can handle way more than I think, as long as I don’t give up.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Honesty and craftsmanship — I protect those at all costs. Every piece I make has to be real, solid, and built the right way. I don’t cut corners, and I don’t compromise on quality just to save time or make a quick sale. That’s not just about furniture — it’s about how I show up in life. If I say I’m going to do something, I do it, and I make sure it’s done well.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people might misunderstand that my legacy is just about the furniture I make. It’s not. For me, it’s about the process — the hands-on work, the problem-solving, the grit it takes to take an idea and turn it into something real. I want people to remember that I cared about doing things right, staying true to my craft, and pushing myself even when it got hard. The pieces are just the evidence of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gritandnails.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grit_n_nails
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/gritandnails/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gritandnails?si=aqUnn6hH96gbaXDc
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandnails
https://www.pinterest.com/GritandNails/
