We were lucky to catch up with Kris Lazarov recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kris, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

One of the most unbelievable experiences of my career happened just a couple of years after I opened my shop. A client had brought me a small antique desk and chair to repair and refinish—fairly straightforward work that I completed in just a few days. The final step was to apply a coat of polish lacquer, which I did at the back of my shop before leaving the pieces outside to dry.

When I returned a few hours later to check on them, I was stunned—the desk and chair were gone. At first, I thought it might be a prank, so I searched everywhere, but quickly realized they had been stolen. I immediately contacted the police, but my greater concern was how to tell my client that the entrusted furniture had vanished. It felt like an impossible situation.

In that moment of panic, I remembered a valuable lesson from my days studying design and furniture reproduction. Our art teacher would place an object in front of the class for just a few minutes before taking it away. We were then tasked with recreating it entirely from memory. That exercise, though difficult at the time, had trained me to observe and recall details with precision.

Relying on that skill, I sat down and began sketching the missing desk and chair from memory. Once I had the drawings, I set to work building them completely from scratch. For three days straight, I worked tirelessly, recreating every curve, line, and finish. When the pieces were finally complete, I was both exhausted and deeply proud of the result.

When my client came to pick up the furniture, he was thrilled. He told me the pieces looked “like new” and was amazed at the transformation. What could have been a devastating setback turned into one of the most defining moments of my career. It proved to me not only the value of my training and craftsmanship, but also my ability to adapt, persevere, and deliver—no matter the circumstances.

That experience gave me tremendous confidence in myself and my skills, and it remains one of the most powerful stories I share about my journey as a craftsman.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

From a very young age, I was introduced to the world of craftsmanship. As a child, I spent several days a week in my uncle’s shop, where he worked as a woodcarver and bagpipe maker. My first tasks were simple—cleaning the shop, observing, and learning. But before long, I was carving small pieces, cutting wood, and making small items for customers. That early exposure sparked a passion for working with my hands and creating something meaningful out of raw materials.

During my teenage years, my father encouraged me to develop that passion further, and I enrolled in one of the oldest and most respected trade schools for applied arts. After five years of training, I graduated as a specialist in antique furniture reproduction. Not long after, I served two years in the army. The discipline, responsibility, and resilience I gained there shaped me profoundly. The army taught me that no matter what challenges come my way, there is always a way to work through them. That mindset of problem-solving and persistence became one of my greatest strengths in both life and business.

When I returned, I opened my first business in Bulgaria, which I ran for a couple of years before life presented me with a life-changing opportunity. I was fortunate enough to win the U.S. Green Card Lottery, which allowed me to live and work in the United States. Soon after arriving, I established my own shop, continuing the craft I had been perfecting for years. Today, I have been in the furniture repair, restoration, and upholstery business for more than 25 years.

If there is one quality that sets me apart, it is honesty. Every client and every project deserves complete transparency. If I know I can do something, I will commit myself 100% and deliver it at the highest standard possible. If a project is not within my expertise, I am upfront and direct with the customer from the very beginning. That trust and honesty have been the foundation of my long-term relationships with clients.

Every project I take on is treated with the same dedication—from start to finish, I approach it with the goal of producing the best quality I am capable of. I also see every project as an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to apply that knowledge to the next challenge. What I learned yesterday, I use tomorrow.

If I could give one piece of advice to anyone starting their own business, it would be this: be transparent, be honest, and commit fully to the work you take on. And when you do it, always strive for the highest quality possible. That is the mindset that has carried me through decades in this craft and continues to guide me today.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

For me, the most effective way to grow my clientele has always been through the experiences of my customers. Word of mouth is, without a doubt, the strongest tool in my business. When clients are happy with the quality of my work, they share their experience with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family. That personal recommendation carries more weight than any advertisement ever could.

I also use platforms like Facebook and my website to showcase my services, but nothing builds trust quite like a genuine referral. When someone hears directly from a satisfied client, it gives them confidence that they can expect the same level of quality, honesty, and professionalism.

Over the years, this simple but powerful approach has allowed me not only to gain new clients, but also to build long-lasting relationships that keep people coming back whenever they need my services.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The foundation of my reputation in the market has always been honesty. I am straightforward about what I can do, and when I make a commitment, I deliver on it. Over the years, I’ve learned that one of the best ways to truly stand out is not only to meet expectations, but to exceed them.

For most of my clients, I make it a point to go a little further—whether it’s adding small details, offering extra care, or providing more than was promised. That “something extra” consistently creates a positive surprise, and clients walk away not only satisfied, but delighted.

This approach has had a powerful effect. Clients are not only happy with the results, but eager to share their experiences with others. That joy, that trust, and that word-of-mouth recommendation have been the pillars of my reputation. After many years and countless projects, I’ve come to see that being honest, keeping my word, and always giving more than expected is what has built lasting success for me in this field.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lazarovupholstery.com