How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? My wife and I moved to Westport in November 2017. We have four children: Daniel (5), Keenan (2), Jaxon (9mos), and Josephine (9mos).
What has been the hardest thing about raising kids and working full time with long hours? Giving them the most undivided attention possible. I wake up at 3am every morning to get work done so that I can make time for my children before and after school, and so that I can be present at all their activities.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? Woodworking has always been my passion but I entered the corporate world straight out of college with the hope that at some point in my life, I would own a woodworking business and work for myself. After working in finance for over 10 years, I decide to take a leap during COVID and create Westport Woodworks, a passion-based family-run woodworking company dedicated to creating beautiful, timeless pieces of furniture, cabinetry, and other woodworking projects that will last for generations. Initially, it was a side business / part time job and I wanted to feel out the space to see if there was demand in my area. Little did I know that 3 years later I would have built a business successful enough to quit the corporate world and focus entirely on my passion.
What is your favorite family activity to do in Westport or the surrounding towns? A trip to Compo beach playground followed by dinner at Five Guys and ice cream at Saugatuck Sweets.
What was your most memorable family vacation and why? Disney 2022 – It was an incredible accomplishment and feeling that I was able to give my children an experience they truly wished for. Witnessing my son’s face when he met his favorite character, Mickey Mouse, gave me a joy and satisfaction that I never felt before.
What is your proudest daddy moment? My proudest daddy moment happens every night when I ask my kids how much daddy loves them and they all smile at me and say “more than anything in the whole wide world”.
What’s your favorite restaurant in town for a family dinner? Friends? My wife and I do a monthly date night and try a new restaurant each time. So far our favorites are Nomade, Don Memo, and Kawa Ni.
What is the one thing your spouse does that you are eternally grateful for? =) My wife is hands down the best mother to our children. I am eternally grateful for the patience, compassion and love she gives to all four of our kids. She is the greatest gift I could ever give to our children.
What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other dads OR what do you wish you could tell your younger self about being a father? My biggest piece of advice for other dads is to make time to build something with your kids. It doesn’t have to be a huge project, anything will do. Watching your kids create something tangible, with their own hands, is priceless. You can feel their confidence growing and it provides such a great bonding experience.
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Candy
Cook or order in? Order In
Cake or Ice Cream? Ice Cream
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee? Iced
Beach or Mountains? Mountains
Puzzle or Board Game? Puzzle
Wine or a Cocktail (if cocktail, which one?) Bourbon Neat
Reading or writing? Reading
Before bed: Social media or book/TV? TV
Watch or play sports? Play
Stay in or go out? Stay In
Comedy or Drama? Drama