Growing up on a dairy farm, Doug Haley found an interest in making crafts at a young age. The tools he had available were few, but he enjoyed shop class in high school and graduated from Eastern Kentucky University. Doug built custom furniture for 24 years and in 2007, met Tuya and began a new direction in his life and his business.

Together, Doug and Tuya started designing and making a smaller line of products for the kitchen and home. Doug is the designer and maker with Tuya adding support in many areas of the business such as critiquing new designs.