We recently connected with Chris Mastandrea and have shared our conversation below.

Chris, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I think it was mostly from my dad. Seeing my dad build something or fix something with his hands and “save the day” was kind of a big deal. Learning how to not to rely on anyone else to take care of our home left a major impression on me. As a skateboarder from the time I was 10, we used to watch videos and saw some interesting ramps. My brother, friends, and I began building ramps we saw on VHS videos and having a dad as a carpenter couldn’t be any better. Skating the ramps that we built enabled us to learn… we could only imagine ramps in our mind, then we began to see them on videos, and eventually we learned the skills to bring our imaginations to life. This was the start of my career in building skate parks professionally which led to me building homes and making furniture.

Chris, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At the end of the day, my job is to help people. Whether it’s my day job working for Habitat for Humanity as construction coordinator. managing a home remodel or creating custom woodwork; I enjoy leaving a legacy of kindness behind. I have always been a handshake kind of guy. If I tell you I will do something, I will make it happen. This is how the custom building and project management side of my business has grown without business cards or a website (until now). Some projects I have been on, I have had to have the right people around me. What really makes it work is when you have the right people and contacts to call someone and pick their brains. That can only happen when all of us work together. What sets me apart is the relationships I have formed to help get complicated jobs done well at a fair cost. When I come to a job, I am able to screen subcontractors for my clients, so they don’t end up with headaches. I also like to save money for people and make sure that my clients aren’t overcharged for what they get. They pay the cost of the materials and I simply charge for my time with no markups. What makes me most proud of what I do is that the things I have created (a new addition on a home, a porch for a family, a redesigned bathroom, a custom dining table, etc)… these things are still standing. In a world that is constantly evolving and changing, I get to leave something that will still be here long after we are gone.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It is rewarding to have some alone time, my own time while listening to good music. Getting to create a piece of furniture that gets handed down, that’s rewarding. Figuring out what works and doesn’t work can feel rewarding as well. Looking at a piece of wood that’s heading for the burn pile and knowing I can bring something back to life, not everyone can do that. and that feels incredibly rewarding.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

There is creativity in all of us, but it’s difficult for people to give themselves enough credit to begin. That is the hardest part for some people- trusting their gut to start a project that’s been on their mind. It could be a garden or painting that bedroom. The most important part is just getting started. If you get stuck, take a break. For example, if I get stuck, sometimes I will have to walk away from a project for a week. I’ll wake up thinking about it and at some point, I’ll dive back in and get it finished. It’s good to remember there is nothing wrong with an unfinished project because it means you got something started.

Contact Info:

• Website: cmastdesigns.com
• Instagram: @cmastdesigns
• Facebook: Chris Mastandrea