In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Chris McClelland, Principal of Parliament Millwork, to explore the unconventional journey that led him from touring indie rock musician to running a modern millwork shop in Ottawa.
Chris shares how growing up in his dad’s woodshop sparked his early love for tools, how he built his first painting and renovation business straight out of high school, and how he learned new trades the way many entrepreneurs do, by saying yes first and figuring it out later.
From swapping his first light fixture after a weekend of YouTube research, to touring the world in a signed band, to walking out of a commercial construction job after writing his resignation letter on the spot, Chris’ story is about calculated risk, momentum, and knowing when to bet on yourself.
The turning point came when he saw how powerful drawings and visualization were in high level commercial projects. That realization pushed him deeper into millwork, where he applied his signature formula, do a job, buy a tool, repeat. What started as small built ins and IKEA installs eventually turned into a full commercial shop, a 5,000 square foot facility, and a complete restart across the country.
This episode dives into creativity, business, risk tolerance, and what it really means to build something from the ground up.
About Our Guest
Chris McClelland is the Principal of Parliament Millwork, a modern millwork shop based in the Ottawa Gatineau region. His background spans residential renovations, commercial construction, music touring, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.
Before founding Parliament Millwork, Chris ran his own renovation company in Vancouver, worked on high end commercial projects, and spent much of his twenties touring internationally in an indie rock band. His hands on mindset, willingness to learn quickly, and comfort with risk have shaped his approach to business and millwork.
Today, he leads a growing shop focused on process, tooling, visualization, and delivering high quality millwork at scale.
What You Will Learn
- How early exposure to tools and woodworking can shape long term career direction.
- Why saying yes before knowing how can accelerate skill development.
- The parallels between touring musician life and running a business.
- The importance of drawings and visualization in commercial construction.
- How social media and networking directly impact trades businesses today.
- Why many craftsmen struggle with the shift from maker to entrepreneur.
- The mindset behind walking away from a secure position to start your own company.
- How buying used industrial equipment during uncertainty can become a turning point.
- Why market selection matters when building a millwork business.
- What it really takes to start over and scale intentionally.
Where To Learn More
Parliament Millwork
https://parliamentmillwork.com
Parliament Milwork´s Instagram: @parliamentmillwork
Final Thoughts
Chris’ story is not just about millwork. It is about timing, risk, and recognizing when an opportunity demands a decision.
From watching his dad build projects out of Woodsmith magazines, to learning trades through repetition and research, to walking away from a secure role because he believed he was ready, every step reflects a consistent pattern. Say yes. Learn fast. Move forward.
The turning point was not luck. It was conviction. When the opportunity to buy industrial equipment presented itself, he did not see cost. He saw trajectory. When relocation became necessary, he did not see disruption. He saw a reset.
Starting over is rarely comfortable. But as Chris put it, if you are going to start over, you might as well start over for real.
That mindset is what built Parliament Millwork.
