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Don Q. Davidson: Woodworking
Hobby Becomes Family Business

What does it take to transform a weekend hobby into a successful post-career business?  Passion for the work itself and a plan, preferably formulated while still employed.  These are two ingredients that enabled Don Q. Davidson, 72, to launch a custom woodworking business in two barns on his property in Wilton, Connecticut, at the end of his 30-year career in publishing.  Don was with Ladies Home Journal and Woman's Day where he was vice president/ associate publisher and general manager.

"From the time I was a kid, I always had a keen interest in woodworking and had a quite complete workshop. In my mid-fifties, I started to plan for early retirement at age sixty and how I might commercialize on my woodworking interest. My objective was to develop a part-time, semi-retirement business." Don's wife of 50 years, Barbara, 73, was and is an interior designer with a busy practice -- "she just completed her biggest year out of the last 45.  She is my role model." -- which "added to the expectation that her clients might be a source for producing business."

That has proven to be the case.  The woodworking business has evolved into a full-time enterprise, turning out everything from bookcases and smaller pieces of furniture like armoires, to entertainment units to entire custom-built walls of cherry cabinetry, mantels, paneling and crown molding taking as long as six weeks to complete.   Fortunately, Don has some very dedicated partners in his two grandsons, Frank, 26, and Chris, 28, who he expects will take over the business eventually.

In their forties, Don and Barbara had become parents to the boys, then 6-and 18-months old.   When Don decided to leave publishing, both boys were in their early teens and "being around for them seemed like a good idea.  As it turned out, during high school the boys helped me in the shop and their interest and enthusiasm in the business grew. When they finished college they both started working here full time and now have developed skills equal to or better than mine." Frank does most of the design and cabinetry work, while Chris has developed an expertise in staining, finishing and furniture restoration. The family business, a partnership, is called Don Q. Davidson and Sons Fine Woodworking.

"Little did I think that at age 72 I'd have as much energy and interest in a work-related enterprise as I still have," Don said.  Because his grandsons have proven such capable partners, "I'm starting to cut back on my time in the shop to 2 to 3 days a week, but continue to help with customer contact, design work and the books, as I 'sort of' begin to retire again."  Don and Barbara enjoy travel and he takes time to play golf.  Don is also active in the local Kiwanis chapter and sings in the choir at the Episcopal Church.   He stays in shape with a regular work out for his back.

"I'm convinced that staying busy and active keeps one young and vigorous and maybe staves off the health problems some of our friends are experiencing."  The "golf and cocktails" image of retirement is not for the Davidsons.  They have no plans to leave the Wilton area where they have lived for 33 years, in fact, they know people who retired to warmer climates and "moved right back."

"The biggest challenge we will face is down sizing, that is, getting rid of the big house and at some point 'letting go' of the business as the boys fully take over," Don said. "Hopefully that's a ways off."

Getting Started

Some family business tips from Don Davidson:

*Make sure all family members are compatible.
* Make clear the duties and responsibilities of each member of the enterprise.
* Hire professional services, such as accounting and CPA
* Have a succession plan.  Seek a consultant skilled in this matter if necessary.

Center for Family Business
University of New Haven
300 Orange Avenue
West Haven, CT 06516
203-932-7421
Email: cfbunh@charger.newhaven.edu

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