David Wells discovered the art of upholstery at just 16 years old, learning the craft at Hatcher’s Upholstery, a well-respected business in Selma, CA, founded in 1955. His passion for the trade inspired him to open his own shop in Oakhurst, CA, which he called Dave Wells Upholstery. During this time, David met Keri Jo, and the two quickly fell in love, building a new life together in the mountains while running the upholstery business. But when David was 23, he realized he still had much to learn, leading him and Keri Jo to return home to purchase Hatcher’s Upholstery—the very place where David first honed his skills. This full-circle moment rooted their business deeply in the community and set the stage for Wells Upholstery to become what it is today.
Years later, David passed on his expertise to his son Kodey. At 12 years old, Kodey began working alongside his dad, learning the ropes of upholstery. Their summers together were filled with hands-on projects, from updating old sofas to creating custom booths for local spots like Sal’s Mexican Restaurant. Through these early experiences, Kodey perfected his skills and grew closer to his dad, creating lasting memories as they worked side by side.
When Kodey tragically lost both of his parents at 15, the world felt overwhelmingly uncertain. Yet, amidst the grief, upholstery and the memories of working alongside his dad became a comforting anchor. As he navigated the complexities of loss and pursued his entrepreneurial studies at Fresno State, the skills he learned and the bond he shared with his dad continued to be a source of strength and guidance, helping him stay grounded during those challenging times.
In 2015, inspired by his experiences and entrepreneurial spirit, Kodey founded Wells Upholstery in the garage of his home. Choosing the name Wells Upholstery was a tribute to his parents and a way to honor the family’s legacy. With the support of Tony, a trusted family friend who had worked for Kodey’s dad since 1994, and Evonne, who stepped in as a guiding presence after the loss of Kodey’s parents, the team played a crucial role in turning Kodey’s vision into reality.
Fast-forward to 2018, Kodey married his college sweetheart and moved Wells Upholstery from his garage to a dedicated commercial space. The story continued to unfold with a significant milestone in 2020—despite the challenges of a global pandemic, Kodey purchased the building they had rented for two years. From there, they completed a state-of-the-art expansion and renovation of the facility, strategically laying out the production floor plan to achieve lean manufacturing and dedicated workstations for each artisan on the team. With around 20 teammates, each talented individual is the biggest reason why the company has achieved such early success.
– Kodey
At Wells Upholstery, we are not only building products; we are building people. The team blends expert craftsmanship and a keen eye for detail with the ability to build genuine, lasting relationships with customers. These connections are key for understanding each project’s unique needs and delivering personalized results. This commitment to quality, trust, and customer care is what makes Wells Upholstery stand out today.
From those modest beginnings restoring antique chairs and vehicles, Wells Upholstery has grown to handle significant commercial projects for leading companies like Facebook, Google, Apple, Amazon, LinkedIn, and Rivian. This journey is marked by a positive attitude, a readiness to embrace challenges, and a relentless pursuit of excellence—values instilled by David and Keri Jo and woven into the very fabric of our company to this day.
