Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiera Vanhook.
Hi Kiera, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Every business has an origin story. Mine started with my son. He’s on the autism spectrum, and like any parent, I wanted to give him something that truly fit his needs, not just something pulled off a shelf. He needed a bed built for how he actually lived, so I built it myself.That one bed cracked something open in me. I kept building, kept refinishing pieces other people had given up on, and before long what had started as a solution for my son turned into a full functioning business: custom furniture, restoration work, mobile bar, anything that let me work with my hands and solve a real problem for someone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not, it’s been a roller coaster. A lot of that comes down to the fact that this wasn’t the path I chose growing up. Life happens, and you have to pivot with it, learning things you never planned to adapt to. That’s really just entrepreneurship in a nutshell.
Being an artist and knowing your worth has been one of the harder lessons. I’ve missed jobs and turned down jobs because I wasn’t getting paid what the work was actually worth, and that’s a hard thing to sit with when you’re building something from nothing. But I don’t think you ever stop learning in this. Things have gotten a lot smoother now, and honestly, I wouldn’t take back any of the experiences I’ve been through. They’re part of how I got here.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the owner and creator of TheKeeFinish, a business built around woodworking, furniture refinishing, DIY home improvement, and gardening. I specialize in transforming spaces and creating custom pieces, from restoring worn furniture and building mobile bars to custom woodworking projects and practical home improvements, all out of my single car garage. Alongside the business, I create educational content that teaches others how to confidently tackle projects themselves.
Building everything from the ground up. As a self-taught woodworker and creator, I’ve turned a passion into a growing business and an engaged online community, entirely on my own, while raising and homeschooling my son. Seeing people recreate my projects, gain confidence, and discover a love for DIY is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
What sets you apart from others?
My authenticity. I share the real process: the successes, the mistakes, and everything in between. My content isn’t just about beautiful finished projects; it’s about making woodworking, gardening, and home improvement approachable for everyday people. Whether I’m building custom furniture, growing food in the garden, or partnering with brands I genuinely believe in, my goal is always the same. To inspire others to create, learn, and realize they’re capable of more than they think.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve learned that growth almost always requires some level of risk. I don’t consider myself someone who takes reckless chances, but I do believe in taking calculated risks when I see an opportunity to build something meaningful.
One of the biggest risks I took was betting on myself. I taught myself woodworking and furniture refinishing, invested in tools and materials, and started building a business without knowing exactly where it would lead. As I grew, I expanded into content creation, sharing my work online and putting myself in front of an audience. That was outside my comfort zone, but it opened doors to new opportunities, including brand partnerships and a growing community.
More recently, I’ve continued taking risks by expanding TheKeeFinish beyond furniture refinishing into custom woodworking, home improvement, gardening, and event rentals. Each new direction requires time, money, and faith that the investment will pay off, but I see those challenges as opportunities to grow rather than reasons to hold back.
My perspective on risk is simple, if you’re always waiting until everything feels certain, you’ll probably miss opportunities that could change your life. I believe in doing my research, preparing as much as I can, and then having the courage to take the next step. Some risks won’t work out exactly as planned, but every experience teaches you something that helps you build the next opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.TheKeeFinish.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekeefinish?igsh=MW0zd2d1MWhhd3R1cQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1aXALfbmkK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thekeefinish?si=OdXj1rOrOrK-a7mo
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekeefinish?_r=1&_t=ZT-98nrcyvlnqP
