While still in high school, Kendall
Powell took a part time job at a local cabinet shop. He
continued working in the cabinet business full time for two years after high school and
began to take business classes at a local community college.
After leaving the cabinet shop,
Kendall spent about a year and a half working for his father as
a tile mechanic in the ceramic tile business. During this time,
he invested in wood tools and began building cabinets on the
side. Later, he went back to school part time at Richmond
Technology Center and graduated with a certificate from Bruce’s
Hardwood Floor Installations.
Shortly after Kendall quit working
for his father, he went to work for a sign company for almost
two years making signs, banners, etc. and still doing cabinetry
on the side. During his employment at the sign company, he was
promoted and was in charge of the day-to-day operations.
With a taste of running a company
and a love for woodworking, Kendall began planning his own
business as a custom cabinet shop. One day, with friends and
family, he began to talk about his interest in becoming an
entrepreneur. The conversation lead to a bet on who could come
up with the best company name. The company became Wood and Tile
Works. The bet? It was won by his brother, Brent.
In April of 1993, Kendall rented out a building in
Richmond and had one employee to start. In the same year,
at only 23 years old he
landed his first major contract with a larger developer and
hired six more employees over the next two years.
By 1996 Wood and Tile Works became
incorporated and continued
to grow at an astonishing rate.
In 2003, he built a brand new
facility in Chesterfield. Kendall has enjoyed the continued
growth and success over the last 15 years. He credits it to service,
dedication to quality, loyal customers, and a staff second to
none.
