Meet Dennis Kehoe | Artist Blacksmith

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

Hi Dennis, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind starting our business was based on a very strong urge to fully own my time and future. When I worked for others, even if I liked the job, I felt trapped, stifled and limited in how much I could grow. Owning our own business feels as though our potential is limitless and the reins are fully in our hands. It was kind of a “by any means necessary” approach. That is where it started and I have just aligned my passions with where I saw a need in the market for my skillset. That originally was to provide high end custom metal work and has evolved into this cookware business. Of course there was a lot of planning, patience and risks taken to execute but the thought process originated by my passion for art and independence.

Stay in school! When I was young, pursuing a higher education was seen as the only path to success and a good paying job. I considered taking on student debt several times in an effort to forge a path ahead and earn a degree in studio art. On all occasions I decided not to and instead I focused on building skills through work experience. By not incurring any student debt Kasey and I were able to purchase a home when the opportunity came our way. There was an equal amount of hard work and luck with our timing that went into that, but it could not have happened if we had a large student debt over our head. Owning and earning equity in our home enabled us to start our business and I know this is not the best route for everyone, I am happy I didn’t follow the advice of so many family and friends that urged me to continue on with a higher education.

I think risk taking is an inherit part of life and without doing so…well, what’s the point in living? Starting my own business is one of the largest risks I have taken and it continues to this day. It’s not like a one time bet that is wagered, won or lost and life goes on. A real risk is one you knowingly take and live with everyday. Kasey and I have put all of our chips on the table in pursuit of this venture by borrowing money on the equity earned on our home to start our business. With out believing in ourselves the stress and worry would strangle us cold. That is where the real growth has occurred. By overcoming fear and living through hard times the victories we experience are sweeter and our gratitude for life grows stronger. The rewards of being self employed simply can’t be experienced without taking risks.

Habits that have helped me succeed are waking early, balancing time alone and engaged with my family, and finding a meditative state in the rythem of my daily work.

The most important factor in the success of our brand is the hand forged aesthetics and our comitment to this craft and to build the most beautiful cookware products we can.

The most important lesson has been patience. Finding joy and staying positive through the low times while patiently waiting for our business to grow to a sustainable level has been a real challenge. This experience has taught me the importance of following your passion and allowing yourself room and time to get there. It won’t happen over night.

My work life balance has gotten more even over time. When I first started I overworked myself and would often experience physical and mental burn out. I now try to allow myself time to do the things that refuel my spirit and spend as much time as I can with my family. In the end, the work will always get done, but time together as a family is priceless and fleeting.

The cookware business was born out of a gift for my wife Kasey. I made her a carbon steel pan for Xmas in 2018. We fell in love with it and decided to build 10 more to see how the would sell. The rest is history.

I always knew I would have my own business as an artist or builder of some kind. Even as a small child I dreamed of being a sculptor or painter. It’s just always been there.

People inspire me. People who excel through hard work, talent and determination. People who love fearlessly. The quiet of being in nature. Everything about the ocean. Swimming or surfing through a swirling salty sea. Time at the beach and in the tide pools. The limitless love and support from my wife Kasey and my two sons.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The work I am currently doing utilizes both traditional blacksmithing and modern metalworking techniques to produce heirloom quality cookware that will last generations. I feel my work has a nice balance between a handmade yet refined and timeless aesthetic. At least that is my goal. I am very proud to be putting these pans out into the world knowing they will be the source of daily nourishment and joy for many families, for many hundreds of years. I like to think of it as one grand art project that will out live me and will continue to project love and good vibes into the world for a long time.

It’s been a long journey that began when I was a kid dreaming about being a sculptor or painter and I always knew I would work for myself doing something creative. I never had a clear vision of what exactly that was going to look like but as I tried different mediums, it was metalworking that I gravitated to most. Attempting to combine those passions with making a living I chose to start a business providing high end custom metalwork for client’s homes and businesses. I had gained a lot experience through my study of sculpture, various construction jobs and in my time working in the art department at a local community college. I was confident I could be successful and started slowly by taking one side job at a time. I would build those projects on the weekends and during the week I worked at the college. I was able to use their shop to initially build projects and began to build up my own garage at home. It took several years working very hard like this before I was ready to fully take the leap. In the mean time my wife Kasey and I had bought a house, had two kids and upped the stakes. By securing a loan on equity earned on our home we had a cushion of borrowed money to start our business and we went for it.

It was not easy and was extremely stressful in the beginning. We overcame many challenges by staying fluid and adjusting our business plan with the market and by what we were capable of building efficiently. Along the way we came across the idea for these hand forged carbon steel pans. The first one I made was a gift to Kasey for Xmas. We fell in love with it and decided to build them in between the bigger commission projects. Over the last 5 years it has become to bulk of our business and it continues to grow.

The biggest lesson has been one of patience. It takes time. Each job is built upon by the next and only with the passage of time does this become known. I understand that better now. This perspective gives me ease and piece of mind when I get down on where I am currently and feel as if it’s not where I should be. I look at how much we’ve grown and tell myself to be patient. It is all happening, just stay true to the path.

I want the world to know that I love what we do and I am proud of what we build. Knowing that our products are destined to become cherished family heirlooms and will be the preferred cooking vessels to nourish and bring families together is the best part for me. This is the way I see it and the way I approach every piece we build.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite part of where we live is the open coastline. We are outdoor people and I would choose to share any one of the beautiful beaches or hikes in our area. I’d take my friends fishing and we would come home to enjoy a lovely home cooked meal of freshly caught fish. Preferably in one of our pans! Backyard fire pit, beers, wine and sharing stories with friends would be the ideal hang out.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife Kasey.

Website: https://www.kehoecarboncookware.com/

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

Image Credits
Chris Roush
Richard Fusillo
Valerie Rice