Slash Coleman of RVA Gym Upholstery (Richmond, VA)
What does being an upholsterer mean to you?
Being an upholsterer means bringing life back to worn-out gym benches, exam tables, and PT equipment—and, in a way, to people too. It’s about more than just fixing what’s broken; it’s about restoring comfort, function, and a sense of pride to the spaces where people work, heal, and grow. When I transform a piece of equipment, I’m not just renewing its surface—I’m helping businesses create environments that feel clean, professional, and cared for, which ultimately impacts the people who use them every day. It’s a job that blends precision, creativity, and connection, and that’s what makes it so meaningful to me.
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How did you get started in upholstery?
I grew up in the family business and when I was old enough to understand how things worked in the world I figured I’d had quite enough. I went off to school to study writing to get away from all the crazy. But as it turns out, when I graduated and set my sights on writing, I realized it takes a really long time to write a book—and I needed a day job. Given my roots, upholstery was a natural fit, and what started as a practical solution quickly grew into something I truly enjoyed. Eventually, I wanted to branch out and do my own thing. I chose to focus on a specific niche—onsite upholstery in gyms. Fast forward eighteen years, and now I’m just as likely to pull up to a gym as a PT clinic, dental office, or hospital—arriving like a mobile workshop on a mission. With my Maestri electric staple gun holstered and Sailrite sewing machine at the ready, I’m prepared to rescue worn-out equipment one stitch at a time.
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What types of upholstery do you do?
If people sit, sweat, or get stretched out on it, I fix it. That means onsite upholstery for physical therapy clinics, gyms, medical centers, and dental offices. Weight benches, exam tables, chiropractic and dental chairs, treatment tables—you name it, I recover it. No dragging furniture anywhere, no shop or overhead expenses, no downtime, just a quick transformation right on-site.
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How long have you been upholstering?
Since 2018 I’ve been quietly fixing what gets overlooked—until it can’t be ignored.
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What is your biggest consumer demand?
These days, I believe people want to hire someone who makes them feel heard, valued, and understood. People don’t choose to work with me because I’m the best, the fastest, or the cheapest. They choose me because I take the time to connect, truly listen, and show up with a level of care and professionalism that makes them feel like a priority. That’s the way the world used to work—when relationships were valued over transactions. It’s rare these days, and that’s exactly what sets me apart. And because I’ll probably ask, “What’s the one thing that would make your day easier right now?” it adds a personal touch that makes many of my clients feel more like friends. Big companies may offer service, but it’s often cold and impersonal. If you’re just looking for a quick fix, I’m probably not your guy. But if you’re looking for someone to build a relationship with—someone you can trust to be reliable, consistent, and genuinely invested in helping you—that’s me.
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What is your favorite upholstery project you've done?
Oh, that’s an easy one. I recently reupholstered and rebuilt a treatment table for the VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) basketball team. They recruited this really tall player—think “could-touch-the-top-shelf-without-a-ladder” tall. The taping table? Way too short. It was like trying to fit a stretch limo into a compact parking spot. So, added some extra length, and turned that table into a VIP treatment station for giants.
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What is the strangest item you've found in a restoration?
I’ve found love notes that made me jealous, snack wrappers from the early 2000s (a museum-worthy Doritos bag, I swear), and enough coins to buy myself a 7-11 coffee. But the weirdest? A pair of dentures. If your teeth are missing and you lost them in a gym in Richmond, VA I have them.
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Have you noticed any up & coming trends?
Yep! The old guard of upholsterers and suppliers treated the trade like a secret society—gatekeeping techniques, overcharging for materials, and acting like you needed a royal decree to buy a roll of vinyl. But things are shifting. No one wants to deal with that nonsense anymore. Businesses want transparency, fair pricing, and professionals who actually answer the phone, respond to emails, and show up instead of acting like upholstery is some sacred, ancient art passed down by monks.
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What changes would benefit the upholstery industry?
What would really benefit the upholstery industry is more collaboration between upholsterers and retailers or manufacturers. If repair services were considered part of the overall cost from the start, instead of replacement being the default option, businesses could save money while extending the life of their equipment. By integrating reupholstery into the supply chain, we’d make it easier for companies to see restoration, repair, and reupholstery as a viable, cost-effective solution rather than always opting for expensive replacements.
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Have you ever been featured on television, online, or in another Publication?
For my career in the arts, yes, if it exists, they’ve interviewed me. As for my upholstery work, no.
Do you have a shop animal?
I work exclusively onsite, but at my home office, I’ve got a dog named Sally Tomato—short for Salvatore. He’s the real boss when I’m at my desk.
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Some answers have been edited for clarity.
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