Meet Zach Pfundstein | Craftsman, Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zach Pfundstein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zach, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I actually haven’t always wanted to start my own business but the idea of doing something creative with my hands and being able to support my family through that endeavor was always at the back of my mind. At the time of starting my own business, I was working at a really challenging job and an opportunity came up to work somewhere else that would allow me enough free time to start my own business on the side. I decided to take that job and that is how my business, Iron Elephant Design, came about.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets my business, Iron Elephant Design, apart is that I strive to build high quality, handmade products and I like to get to know my clients on a more individual level to provide them a personalized experience. I am most proud of making it this far and having the opportunity to create such a variety of projects which have increased my skill set and been something I’ve really enjoyed. A lot of hard work and trial and error has gotten me where I am today. I made a decision to give this a try and it’s been well worth the rewards that have come over the years. Overall a lot of things have fallen into place to make this business happen and, while it’s not without its challenges, each challenge provides a new opportunity to grow. One of the lessons I’ve learned along the way is that collaboration is key. Being able to work with others who excel in their field has definitely helped elevate my own work and taught me many valuable lessons. What would I want people to know about Iron Elephant Design? I would say that we strive to make custom, high quality pieces that last a lifetime and are personalized for you and your home.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them to visit my shop where I create all my projects. One of the reasons I wanted to start my own business was that I love to be inspired by my surroundings. My shop, full of eclectic and interesting pieces, is one of the places I love to showcase to visitors and people from out of town because it’s so unique.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first person that comes to mind is my Dad. He always encouraged my love of tools and my creativity by including me on projects around our house. He also made time to teach me different skills and woodworking techniques that still serve me today and I am so grateful for the great mentor that he is.

Website: https://www.ironelephantdesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironelephantdesign/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironelephantdesign/