Oliver and Betty Stevenson, owners of Diamond N-D Rough, a Main Street business in Washington that specializes in new, vintage, and refurbished furniture, are not just the faces of their business, but the faces of the community.

Oliver and Betty learned how to do upholstery repair and refurbishment from the best source there is. An expert -who also happened to be Oliver’s brother, Grover Cleveland Stevenson. His brother taught them how to do upholstery in 10 hours, and the couple never looked back.

A Washington native who left as a teen and came back 18 years ago, Oliver wanted to do something that helps the town in a broad sense.

"Upon coming back, Betty (his wife) and I decided that we wanted to bring some type of trade to the community that would provide some of the younger folks, who are not college bound, with an opportunity."

Oliver and Betty realized that many young people who grow up in Washington end up leaving, and it’s always been a concern of theirs. "We want young people to know that there is a craft that they can learn right here in Washington that allows them to stay here in town and make a living. And when young people stay here, live here, and work here, their tax dollars stay here." And that, in turn, perpetuates the local economy.

Oliver and his wife, Betty, want to give back to the community in the program that they’ve started with Beaufort County Community College: The Upholstery Academy. The Upholstery Academy is a new partnership between Diamond N-D Rough and the college, and the program teaches students how to upholster and refurbish furniture. Oliver says he and Betty both have a love of teaching. "I love teaching. I was a football coach for 32 years; I teach Sunday school, I teach bible study, and I’ve taught in the school system. We both have a heart for teaching."

Oliver and Betty hope that their promise to his brother to keep the craft going will not only invoke a passion in their students for the craft, but will also inspire them to teach it to others.

"Our intention is to spot those students who can take this, not just from employment or an entrepreneurial level, but to a teaching level. The way we envision doing that is to concentrate on students that know absolutely nothing, so we can create that gem. You know, diamonds come from being pressed."

Oliver says this process is not about him and Betty, but carrying on that legacy of his brother for teaching the skill to generations to come.

For more information about Diamond N-D Rough or the Upholstery Academy, contact the Stevensons at 252-833-0133.

Diamond N-D Rough is located at 221 W. Main Street.