Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Scott-Nairns.
Hi Ryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started in Welding School when I was 19, studying Metal Art. Then did Structural welding courses, design, and art history. I went to work in local metal shops building architectural ironwork, public sculpture, art for metal artists preparing for exhibitions, and decorative blacksmithing. I worked for about eight years in other people’s shops & all the while saved my money and collected tools. I started renting a tiny shop space and soon decided I had enough potential clients to keep myself busy. This was near the end of 2010. Now, I have been operating Metalwork Austin as the sole owner for 12 years. My wife, Marie works in the office and helps manage the bookkeeping and scheduling, and many other things. She started full-time several years ago when a company she worked for was bought out, and she decided it was time to help with the family business. We have varied from 6 to 10 welders on staff for the last several years, We have outlasted the Covid 19 Pandemic, and are still going strong. We stay booked up a few months ahead all year long and are currently hiring new team members to help keep up with demand.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a Small Business Owner is definitely not an easy road. The first 2-3 years, I built every project myself and had to do the invoicing, taxes, meetings, design, etc. It was a lot to deal with. Without a huge investment up front to start up, it is a long fight to build up a business. I guess they call it “bootstrapping” but I just made the decision to treat it like any other job. I would wake up early and go to the shop, even if I didn’t have paying work that day. I would give everyone I would meet a card & you could not say “hello” without me telling you I was a welder & asking if you and any project ideas. The thing is: Everyone does have an idea, there’s always something they want. The struggle is: Figuring out how to price things to make money, being responsible with your budget, and keeping customers happy. I have managed to learn along the way, and not make any huge mistakes to bankrupt myself. Anticipating problems and adapting to market conditions is your best friend. You have to be agile and diverse to last in this game.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I would say we are known for reliability, quality, and attention to detail. We always deliver on what we promise and do everything we can to make sure clients are happy with their projects. We take on creative projects that a lot of other metal shops don’t want to do because they want to keep things simple and do repetitive work. I enjoy a challenge, I am always excited by jobs that stretch the limit of what we can create. I think continuing to learn new techniques and invent ways to accomplish new things is what keeps our work interesting.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
What I was told are the “5 P’s”, Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Have a plan, work the plan. Also, Bill early and often.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.metalworkaustin.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/MetalworkAustin or @MetalworkAustin in app
- Facebook:Facebook.com/MetalworkAustin
Image Credits
Stairway photo: Escobedo Group. All Other photos: Metalwork Austin
