For many people up and down the country, lockdown sparked the need for a new hobby, but for Jodi Walker, her hobby became a full-time career in the form of her business, Upcycled & Reloved by Jodi.
Having always enjoyed painting and repurposing furniture to give it a new lease of life, Jodi began with small pieces for her home, before realising she had a skill for upcycling furniture through a combination of creativity and craftsmanship.
After selling her first piece via Facebook marketplace, the business got off the ground, but there were some issues she needed to deal with. These included having a limited space to work in, which was her small garage, and the dust produced during her work. Initially, she used to wait for dry weather to sand outdoors; however, when the rain came, she was forced to use plastic sheeting in the garage, leading to hours of extra cleaning. Additionally, Jodi was dealing with the issues that come with heavy sanders; notably HAVs, as her hands were numb and her joints ached after sanding. She therefore took it upon herself to create a professional set-up that would not only boost the efficiency of her process but also protect her health and keep her workspace clean.
The turning point came at The Painters Business Academy (PBA), where she witnessed Mirka’s tools and extraction system first-hand. Jodi now had her product wish list and invested in the Mirka DEOS II 353CV, which she paired with the Mirka 1230 L-Class dust extractor. From the first use, the benefits were evident. Since bringing the tools into the business, the way she has worked has completely changed. “The prep and cleanup time has been reduced by over 50 per cent, and the tool’s lightweight design has helped eliminate the fatigue and vibration issues that were encountered with my ‘old’ tool,” Jodi says.
She has also found that the tool’s versatility and ability to handle multiple applications and surfaces have meant she has eliminated the need to switch tools for different jobs, enabling her to focus more on the business.
Going dust-free with the help of Mirka has allowed Jodi to diversify her offering to customers. She is able to offer on-site client work because she can confidently take her equipment into someone’s home and not have to worry about dust, and she can work on multiple projects at once.
When promoting her work on platforms such as Instagram, she has also noticed that when people see her work and her use of the Mirka products, they reach out and ask her questions about the tools she is using and some of her processes. This engagement enables her to share her knowledge with a growing community of upcyclers and recommend the tool to the social media user who has reached out. Furthermore, she has highlighted her advocacy of dust-free sanding in her guide, “How to Paint Furniture That Lasts”.
Overall, by investing in the right tools, particularly Mirka’s dust-free sanding system, Jodi has transformed the quality and efficiency of her work, as well as her health and environment. Her story is a testament to how passion, perseverance, and the right equipment can turn a simple pastime into a fulfilling and professional career.
