Meet Kendal Forman | Owner & Creative Doer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendal Forman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendal, how does your business help the community?
The impact I wanted to have on our community was one of the biggest reasons I choose to open AR Workshop Dallas. My family and I have always valued experience based memories over simple material purchases so opening a DIY workshop was a no brainer. Rather than spending 2 hours on a shopping trip to Target where everyone (except maybe mom) is dreading being there, you can bring the WHOLE family to any of our classes and each person will walk away with something entirely unique to them! Our business harnesses creativity and togetherness, and that is something I think we can always use more of in our ever-busy world!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What makes our workshop so unique is it is for everyone and everyone leaves with something completely custom to them-no ability to craft necessary-and everyone isn’t leaving with the same “Live, Laugh, Love” sign! Hypothetically, even if each guest choose the same quote for their project, there is still 57 paint colors and 7 stain colors (all non-toxic) and 6 techniques to pick from so not one will look the same as the other! When I say everyone, I really mean it-A mom with her young (or grown) daughter, a couple on their first date or on their 20 year anniversary, a bachelorette party, a baby shower, team building and everything in between. I often hear that men wouldn’t enjoy our workshops but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I have had men make stands for their coin collections, corn hole boards for their outdoor oasis, trays for game night-you name it. Not to mention our setting is very homey and intimate, even perfect for proposals to the point that we have a proposal coming up with a special couple! All of this is what makes me so proud of what we have brought to Dallas, because you can experience something special with friends and family, and my number one goal is to be kind and accommodating to everyone so they want to come visit again and again. By far, the most challenging thing we have faced thus far is opening in a pandemic but I have said again and again that if we can survive a pandemic, then we can survive anything. With things on the up and up, we will continue to rise and thrive, reaching our community and building a love for DIY for one and all!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In Dallas, the possibilities are endless! For daytime activities-The Dallas Arboretum for the most amazing stroll through gardens (or through the Marie Gabrielle Garden for if you don’t have as much time), lunch at the Ritz Carlton, a picnic at Klyde Warren Park and then ride on the trolley for a ride around the city (while hopping off and on all afternoon), a trip to the Geo Deck at the Reunion tower, stroll down to The Harbor in Rockwall for waterfront access and cute shops and restaurants. For evening activities, there is a super chill speakeasy in Deep Ellum (looks like a candy shop) that I enjoyed one night with girls, the Balcony Club for live jazz music, dinner at Fogo De Chao, a stroll through the Bishop Arts District for shops and restaurants. And of course, to top it all of and go home with tangible memories, stop by AR Workshop Dallas to make a wood project then come back again to make a chunky knit blanket, with food and wine in tow as we are BYOB and Food establishment! We also have a specially curated retail selection for everyone too where we love to support local creators! We have handmade leather earrings, amazing soap/bathbombs, fire roasted coffee-all by local artisans-and so much more! Leila Bakery is a delicious French Bakery next door as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shout out should start at square one, which is with God! He gives me the strength to make it through the trials I face, especially while having a new business during a pandemic. Next is my mother. I always say that DIY runs in my blood and that was taught by my mom. I helped build my childhood home, board by board, and none of the decor in our home could be found anywhere else, much like the pieces you can make at our workshop today! My mom cultivated that in me as well as hard work. Next is my husband and sister, as we opened this business together and I couldn’t do it without them! Lastly, is my four children-they are the very reasons I do what I do everyday. I want to build something special and meaningful for them.

Website: www.arworkshop.com/dallas

Instagram: www.instagram.com/arworkshopdallas

Facebook: www.facebook.com/arworkshopdallas