Chris Graham: Milford entrepreneur

MILFORD — Musician, savvy businessman, computer geek, hobbyist – artisan. Chris Graham is all this and more.

Originally from New York City and New Jersey, Graham moved to California as a young man and worked as a developer for IBM, for Disney's robotics and animatronics division, and as a vice-president of Information Technology of MSGI.

Graham then came up to Milford from New York City after the trauma of 9/11, to "hide out," relax from the corporate grind and stresses of the city. He visited the Malibu Dude Ranch, where he had many happy childhood memories, and decided to stay. He worked at the ranch for three years as their head chef. He started Confidential Bits, a company specializing in websites, SEO, computer repair and surveillance.

A multi-talented musician (piano, guitar, saxophone, clarinet, flute) and composer, he started playing on the weekends at the Dimmick Inn. “I've played (nearly) every venue in Milford, but I don't consider myself part of the Milford music scene,” Graham said. “But music has helped (with business).” (See and hear Graham play by clicking on the video clip below.)

New Wave In the summer of 2011, Christopher Graham had been working from his home doing computer repairs and website work. He received a request from John and Diane Fernandez to create a website for them. They wanted to open a vintage T-shirt and rock poster store. He saw the potential for something more and the three went into business together. He told John and Diane, “lets create a destination instead of just a stop.”

Six weeks from conception to its opening on Sept 2, NWV Hobby and Tech was born. The Hobby and Tech shop is home to his computer repair office, website and surveillance business, as well as an “old time hobby shop” with an artisan instead of just a salesman. If a customer has a question about anything, Christopher and his partners can answer it.

Going through several permutations, NWV has found a successful home in the Upper Mill on Water Street in Milford. Business has been good, Graham said, even in this down economy. He is even cultivating corporate clients. Graham attributes this success to the passion he brings to his work. “You've got to be an artisan if you open a business... you've got to love what you do.” And he indeed loves what he does. Just ask him about the radio controlled (RC) car he built and bills as the “fastest race car in the area.”

Loaded with RC cars, planes, helicopters, as well as skateboards and all manner of “toys” for all ages, Graham's “Man Cave” vision for the store has come to life and is extremely successful. “Everything in this store,” Graham boasts, “I've personally played owned, played, raced, driven, flown.”

In the community Not content to just run his shop and play with his toys, or play music before his adoring fans, Chris Graham is working on changing the way Milford business is conducted. He believes that businesses can not only survive but thrive in an atmosphere of cooperation. To this end, he held a card swap event at his shop last month, and was asked by the Milford Chamber of Commerce to host another one this past week. The event was held Thursday evening at the Chamber of Commerce building on Harford Street.

Whether its talking about the new rescue RC helicopter he is developing that can fly over 800 feet and take videos while its up there, showing off his latest music video, discussing his ideas on business cooperatives, or telling you about the new RC club he has formed (meeting on Sundays at the store), Graham indeed shows his passions.

NWV Hobby and Tech is located at 150 Water Street (in the Upper Mill) in Milford.