Changemaker Series with Chris Nichols

Welcome to episode 11 of the Fairware Changemaker Series, where we highlight entrepreneurs and thought leaders that continuously inspire us through their passion for using business to better the world.

For this episode we’re featuring Chris Nichols, Operations Coordinator and Co-Founder of Wood Shop Workers Co-operative. Watch below to learn more about how Wood Shop creates custom furniture, millwork & metalwork using reclaimed and upcycled materials, while running a co-operative that provides meaningful employment in the Vancouver community.

What type of materials does Wood Shop use to craft it’s products?

At Wood Shop we build primarily out of reclaimed and reused upcycled wood, recovered here with community partners in Vancouver.

What inspired you to start Wood Shop?

When I was thinking about starting a organization, I was spending a lot of time in school thinking about what social change and meaningful impact looks like. I was inspired to combine my technical and carpentry skills with the social justice causes of reclaiming wood waste, as well as creating a co-op to provide employment for people here in the city.

What does being a changemaker mean to you?

To me, being a changemaker means being a part of community that wants to affect positive change in the world. We try to collaborate with as many like-minded individuals and organizations as we can in a way that really substantially addresses some of the problems we have in society today, such as economic inequality and the production of waste.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of our changemaker series with Chris! We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Chris and the entire team at Wood Shop for showing us around their space, and for setting a such great example that other local businesses can aspire to in the community.

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