In the age of Gen-Z public displays of pajamas, talking like a TikTok reel and turning paper cuts into childhood trauma, Wilton High School senior Derek Topalian is a rare and welcome exception to his generation.
As humble as he is unassuming, Topalian credits his parents and late grandmother for inspiring him, supporting him and helping him to be the promising young person he is today with not one, but two, start up businesses worth boasting about.
Lesley Kirschner caught up with the 17-year-old Topalian just after the classic boy next door/catcher for the Wilton Warriors Baseball team returned from a camping trip in the Catskills to find out how a skating ramp launched him onto the road less traveled, a world made by hand and whole lotta life in the moment.
1. Growing up in Wilton, did you feel like there were a lot of opportunities for you to explore alternative careers and how did you find your way into woodworking?
Derek Topalian: In Wilton, education was predominantly focused on the idea of having students be exemplary “academic performers,” so there was no other path forward. I discovered woodworking during COVID when I was learning to skateboard and exploring many other things that I could do at home. I sought to create my own skating ramp, and all I had was some used wood from a renovation on my house, a rusty handsaw, and an old drill that would even smoke when I used it. In the end, it was entirely unsafe and was not allowed to be used, but I didn’t really care because I felt accomplished that I made something with my own hands. I have always been a doing person; this was a moment that opened doors for me that school would never have opened for me.
2. Can you tell me about some of the pieces you make and maybe where you draw your ideas and inspiration from?
Topalian: One of my favorite pieces I’ve made is the black walnut live-edge coffee table in my living room. I use and see it every day, and I admire that I created something that will last. Most of my ideas come from everyday issues. For example, I was cutting bread one afternoon and discovered that it was hard to make even pieces. That led me to design a bread knife that makes sure every slice is the same. I love finding little problems and turning them into functional designs. It’s the same kind of curiosity that drove me to start my new mailbox restoration business. I was sitting in my room when my mom asked if I could repaint our mailbox, and before I could even pick up a brush, I had an entire business plan laid out. That’s how I think. After doing our own mailbox, I made flyers and got more and more practice with others, and then I decided that I knew enough to start a business, and that’s when The Mailbox Studio was born.
3. What would you say to young people who are trying to explore more non-traditional post high school paths and may be feeling pressure to conform to “Success RX“ that is often so emblematic of more affluent communities?
Topalian: The greatest pressure I have ever experienced is trying to “fit in” with everyone else. As a kid, it seems as though everyone is looking at you and judging your every move, but in fact, most people are so focused on themselves that they don’t care to judge you, and if they do, that just means they don’t have anything going for themselves. It is completely okay not to follow the traditional path. Success is not a one-size-fits-all situation. You just have to trust yourself and be yourself; easier said than done. Either way, people are going to have opinions and things to say, especially if you are doing something outside of the box or have success on your own terms. I honestly don’t plan to do woodworking for much longer, which is okay with me because I’ve gained so much confidence from starting and having something that I enjoy and make money from. Having something like that helped me understand that I could achieve success in my own way and that confidence transfers to all my other endeavors… and listen, you don’t need to find “the right thing.” Woodworking, for me, wasn’t some genius idea that I pointed my finger at and said, “This is the thing I’m going to do for the rest of my life,” because that’s not what it has to be. Do what feels right in the moment, obviously put some thought into it, just know there is no “perfect opportunity.”
4. How do you think schools can maybe change the trajectory or mindset that would allow for more vocational training and/or trades?
Topalian: I think schools need to change what they count as “success.” Their version of “success” is focused on test scores and academics, but not everyone thrives in that environment. Some students need to gain confidence and direction when they’re given real problems to solve with their hands. What I mean by this is classes that put you in real-world situations. For example, a mechanic class with a project car, where at the beginning of every class students have to figure out what’s wrong and work together to fix it. The same idea applies to business classes; students want to take a class where they are faced with real-world business problems, manage budgets, pitch products, or run a mini company. That would teach skills such as problem solving, teamwork, and persistence; it also helps students see that success does not rely on academics. This is exactly what schools are missing out on.
5. Was there a teacher or someone in your life who you remember inspiring you?
For me, my parents have always been my biggest inspiration. They never forced me down a path and instead backed me in whatever I strived to do, whether it was starting a woodworking business, a mailbox restoration business, planning for college, playing a sport or making any decision in general — they always back me and give me any support I need, and I’m so grateful for that.
I loved learning about Derek. He is such an inspiration to kids in Wilton. So impressed with everything that he has done. A true entrepreneur.
Really great to see Derek doing well!