Page 24 - Allison's Magazine Issue #97

As you carry on your father’s legacy,
are you carving your own path as
well? Did you ever feel you were in
his shadow?
My friend Erica Stoller, who inherited
her father Ezra’s legacy of fine
photography, complained that she, too,
is always in her father’s shadow. I told
her that I was quite comfortable being
in my father’s shadow as the backdrop
to my life, and it was a lot better than
being nowhere. Every now and then, I
am inspired to do something that my
father had not done but still ask myself,
“What would George do?”

What is some life wisdom your
father passed on? What qualities do
you feel he passed on to you that
have served you well?
I’ll never forget my father’s advice:
“Keep your nose clean, and create a little
beauty around you.” My father also said,
“The best you can do is the best you can
do,” which is always comforting as well
as inspiring. Humility and steadfastness
in the face of adversity, as well as lack
of ego, are still ongoing lessons, often
taught and learned the hard way.

What do you find most fulfilling
about your career?
There is always something that needs
to be done. Waking up each morning
and going through the shop, checking
on each project, visiting briefly with
each of our employees, looking for
wood, creating drawings, talking with
clients, watching over architectural
restoration—it is always interesting
and challenging. I love seeing a piece of
furniture emerge from the hands of one
of our craftspeople, to watch its fuller
beauty develop as it goes through the
finishing process, and then to sign it and
kiss it goodbye.
For more info, visit nakashimawoodworkers.com

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