Seymour Beckford started his apprenticeship at age 15 in Jamaica, doing both automobile and household upholstery. He continued as a professional upholsterer in a manufacturing plant there before founding his own company, MasterCraft Upholstery. Relocating to Boston, he worked at Majestic Upholstery in Kenmore Square and taught woodworking to children with physical and mental disabilities at Little People’s School (Newton). For over 22 years, he has maintained Seymour's Upholstering, a small storefront business in Mattapan.