Three years ago, in the crisp October air, I found myself standing in the doorway of an empty shop in downtown Knoxville, keys in hand. The space was mine, but the journey ahead felt daunting—there was so much left to do to bring my vision to life.
As November rolled in, I dove headfirst into the transformation. The next two months were a blur of activity: cleaning, painting, building walls, and adding much-needed insulation. The space was a blank canvas, but I knew it needed more—a serious upgrade to handle the demands of my craft. I invested nearly $30,000+ into electrical work alone, yet even with all that effort, it felt like I was just scratching the surface of what needed to be done.
The decision to move my entire home studio and shop was a gamble. I wasn’t just moving a few tools; I was relocating everything—my giant power hammer, hydraulic presses, rolling mill, and forge. These weren’t just tools; they were the heart of my work, the very essence of my craft.
By mid-January, with the winter chill still in the air, the real work began. Piece by piece, I started moving in, slowly transforming the empty shop into a space where creativity and craftsmanship could thrive.
The shop was slowly beginning to feel like home, the foundation for everything I wanted to build.
By March, I was crafting my first knives in the new space, and the excitement about the possibilities ahead was overwhelming. These weren’t Primeaux knives yet; they were still Phillips Forged creations. I was deep into developing new techniques, researching, and experimenting, trying to figure out the next steps. But to move forward and fund the next stage of my journey, I needed to keep the lights on, so I continued taking custom orders under Phillips Forged.
Much to my surprise, I won Best in Show and Best Bread Knife in the Damasteel Chef Invitational just a few months later that same year. (Make sure you grab your tickets for this year in November, I’m working on some very special pieces).
I kept going.
And this was when the days began to weld together.
I transformed from an artist to an entrepreneur with no time off and no breaks.
I suddenly found myself working late into the night and arriving early in the morning.
Three years ago, I took a few days to head to Chicago to see one of my favorite bands My Morning Jacket perform at the Chicago Theater.
I saw one of my favorite paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago.
I also had one of the best meals of my life at Alinea.
It's astonishing to realize that almost three years have gone by since then. It’s also hilarious that it was one of the last trips I took just for myself.
However-I look back with a heart filled with gratitude despite the stressful moments and great challenges.
I get to live this life full of richness and I am so thankful.
The future holds endless possibilities.
I am consistently surprised at what is next.
I once read, "impossible is a foot soldier of the status quo," and I interpret that as a reminder that giving up isn't an option. When you start believing something is impossible, you're holding yourself back from the beauty you have the potential to create.
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