Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Bridges.
Hi Kenneth, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my journey at Black and Decker in 1988, I always knew I wanted to work for myself. I just didn’t know how I was going to do it. I prayed and asked God to give me something I can do on my own to earn a living without working for someone else. After some time I was able to purchase a nice motorcycle but the seat was torn up. I asked my supervisor if he knew of anyone that did this type of work and he told me A guy named Richard whom I also knew that worked in a different section of Black and Decker. I went to Richard and asked if he would do my seat. He stated he no longer did that type of work. Well I continued to ask and even increased the amount I was willing to pay for it which was more than it was worth. He wouldn’t budge and he continued to say no but he told me I have been watching you Kenny you are good with your hands and could probably do it yourself. He said I still have the sewing machine and some material I need to get rid of, I am about to get married and I need this stuff out of the way. He sold it to me for $200.00 an industrial sewing machine and some material. I thought it was junk but now today I realize it was money in the bank especially when you don’t have to buy it. I set it up in my kitchen and after about 5 tries the 6th try was perfect. Mind you I have never touched a sewing machine before that. I put the completed seat on my bike and my father came by and saw it. He wanted to know who did my seat and I told him I did. He then asked me to do the seats in his 1955 2 door Chevy. He begged me for about a year and I finally got the courage to try. I did it in diamond pleated front and back seats and they turned out perfect the first try. Back then the pagers were out and I would get random calls from people wanting upholstery work done. I said to myself dad is out riding around and people are seeing his seats. I never thought that I would turn this into a business. I took a class at the local community college for upholstery and I brought in a rocking chair. They showed us how to take it apart but really basically did it for you. I learned nothing from that class. After several years of doing this on the side I decided to step out on faith and rent a building and do this full time. Thirty plus years later I am still in business doing what I love. I am recognized as one of the best in Fayetteville and the surrounding area. We work with Carmax. Flow Nissan of Fayetteville, Bryan Honda, Cadillac of Fayetteville. Cape Fear EMS, Cape Fear Aviation(Airplanes) to name a few as well as personal vehicles for the public. . Once I retire I will teach this art/craft so others may learn.
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?
The struggle was I needed patience because it was not easy. My biggest struggle came with removing convertible tops and putting new ones on After much practice I perfected the gift. Also when I started taking seats apart and remembering how to put them back together.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Since 1989, Bridges Upholstery, LLC have had the great pleasure of providing headliners, and car upholstery for many classics, vintage vehicles, and motorcycles. We are privileged to work with great clients who have challenged us with some of the most unique projects ranging from repairs, restorations, and redesigns. Clients have brought vehicles to us from all over the states for a complete auto upholstery renovating care, for our shop earned a very good rapport in this work. Whether the clients needed new upholstery for just the seats or the panels of their vehicle, or whether it was the entire interior that needed renovation, we were able to provide the best quality service.
For some projects the client wanted us to make sure that we kept the original design of the vehicle. For other projects we were given completely new, customized design requests. Either way, it was such a pleasure to be able to see the incredible transformations take place within the vehicles’ interiors. To see classics and antiques become like new were very special experiences, but to see how the clients were absolutely in love with their updated vehicles was simply amazing!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
My major risk was walking out of my full time job at a well known plant Black and Decker where I received a Salary to work for myself and had no guarantee of being paid. I put it in Gods hands and he has blessed me throughout my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bridgesupholstery1.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridges_upholstery/
