Brian joined us in early 2020 in our operations department, and he has his hands on sales, customer service, logistics and more. He grew up in Ireland and spent several years in customer service before coming to us. He played a key role in helping to facilitate our transition from the office to working from home when the pandemic hit. His experience with video marketing and YouTube is also helping us to improve our presence on that platform.
QA with Brian Doherty
When did you start at Vermont Woods Studios and what brought you here?
I started in February of 2020. I was looking to move into a new industry. From the moment I saw the website and read about the company mission I was interested in joining the team. Once I had a chat with Peggy & Dennis, I was convinced that it would be a great fit for me.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
I assist the Sales, Customer Service and Shipping departments with their daily tasks or work loads. I can be selling furniture on the phone one moment, and assisting customers with delivery schedules the next. I meet & greet customers as they visit our showroom, as well as helping to maintain the showroom to produce an excellent customer experience.
What’s your favorite part about working at Vermont Woods Studios?
The location is beautiful, the company ideals and priorities are honorable, but the staff make the company.
Pizza or Ice Cream?
Pizza.
What’s your favorite Vermont brand (other than Vermont Woods Studios)?
Well I didn’t know it was made in Vermont until today, but I’d have to say Ben & Jerry’s!
Describe your typical commute to work.
It takes about 20 minutes for me, more than half of which is spent on Huckle Hill Road. It’s a very scenic drive. Hauntingly beautiful in Winter, and terrifying in mist & fog. Stunning in Summer. I’d say it’s a nice way to spend the commute to work!
You’re furnishing your dream house. What’s in it?
It needs a man cave, simply put! A full size Snooker Table is the priority for that!
You’re dumping your old dining set. What’s next? Why?
I’m a big fan of Walnut, and I really like the Catalina Extension table from Copeland that we have in our showroom. I’ve got my eye on it …
Pick one bed to sleep on for the rest of your life.
I’ve never had a really high quality bed frame and I’m looking at the Linn Walnut Platform Bed, which again coincidentally is from Copeland and is also in our showroom!
What are you jamming out to?
Everything except Country music! If I had to narrow it down though, I’d go with generally everything 80’s pop, 90’s Britpop/Alternative/Rock, 2000’s Dance. My top 5 in no particular order: My Morning Jacket, Green Day, Muse, Eminem and Michael Jackson. Recently I’ve picked up on Kero Kero Bonito and BabyMetal.
What’s one book you’d recommend everyone should read?
I love the classic Irish authors, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Swift & Joyce but if I had to pick one standalone book I’d say The Stand by Stephen King.
What are you watching on Netflix?
Eagerly awaiting the next Peaky Blinders season. In the meantime I’m making do with Better Call Saul, and re-watching Breaking Bad. Oh and everyone should watch Derry Girls.
What’s your all-time favorite quote to live by?
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" - Confucius
Who’s your favorite superhero?
I miss the days when there were only a couple to choose from. I feel like I’m burned out on the whole Superhero thing! I’d go with Christian Bale’s Batman, or Tom Holland’s Spiderman.
If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
A Palm Tree, flexible!
What’s your spirit animal?
Sloth! I love my lazy days at home doing nothing!
If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be?
Sir Alex Ferguson, former manager of Manchester United football club.
It’s a hot summer Saturday in Vermont. Where are you, and what are you doing?
The view from our back porch on a dreary Fall morning. Even in the fog, the views are amazing.Picnicking with my daughters on the VWS grounds, looking at the wonderful view of the mountains and forests!
What’s your favorite flavor of Ben & Jerry’s?
Chocolate Fudge Brownie or Chocolate Therapy!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love my video games, and I create content from them for my own small Youtube channel. It’s a nice hobby to have that I don’t take too seriously, but I can easily whittle away hours creating videos. It’s taught me a lot about video editing, sound quality and presentation in general which has been helpful in my professional life.
