Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David George. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I think success, in the end, boils down to the individual and the drive. Is the passion there? What is the purpose behind the business? My business started as a hobby – a few hours a week after my day job (which I still have) for fun. My interests grew as did the interest in what I was crafting. It’s a very niche market, but I’ve found my footing.

Success is also based on who you surround yourself with – your family, friends, network and mentors. Those willing to help and guide are critical in the maturation process for any small business. Also being crafty and creative with your resources. For example, I’ve never spent money on packaging materials. I’ve built a network of family, friends and business that give me their packing materials that otherwise would be single-use and thrown away. It’s a huge cost saver and we can position the company as ‘green’.

I also believe that ‘the best someone can say is YES’. Whether you’re looking to partner, sell, or collaborate, etc. a positive outlook and growth mindset help to move the business forward.

David, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The idea for Motor City Axe blossomed 6+ years ago when I discovered my late grandfather’s Kelly Axe and Tool hatchet when cleaning out his garage. My grandfather immigrated to Detroit in the early 1920s. With the same entrepreneurial spirit I embrace here today, my grandfather made a name for himself. Teaming up with his younger brother, the duo started a very successful dairy company called Melody Farms.

That entrepreneurial mindset, coupled with my love for camping and the outdoors led me to start Motor City Axe.

My vision was really to combine my love for lasting craftsmanship, a desire to work with my hands, and a passion for Northern Michigan. Each axe/hatchet is made in the USA and hand-painted in Detroit, MI.

I initially launched on Etsy then transitioned to my own website on a small business Saturday 2018. Things have only grown from there! I now partner with Moosejaw, Bespoke Post, Manly Bands, and about 10 modern general stores across the country. We’ve also created white label axes for companies, they’ve been used as a company award and I even had the opportunity to get Michigan State’s football coach Mel Tucker an axe.

In addition to our flagship designs (the ‘Up North’ is the top seller), customers can choose different patterns and colors for a truly unique design. While these axes are fully functional, I also see them used as display pieces and groomsmen gifts. Last year, my best yet, saw over 1000 axes ship out. I am on pace to break that this year.

In the hustle and bustle of the world we live in, a majority of people feel stuck. A pawn in the corporate world. Motor City Axe aims to help break the norm. Grab a hatchet, book a trip, and hit the trails. Reconnect with yourself and with nature. Create a story worth telling.

Website: https://www.motorcityaxe.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motorcityaxe/

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Motor City Axe started as a side hustle and in many aspects it still is. My volume has grown and I have an employee, but I still hold down a 40 hour per week job in tech. This all literally started from one hatchet. I planned to fix it up for myself. Then a friend wanted one, and another friend. So I wondered to myself, ‘do others want these? Could I make enough to pay for one plane ticket per year?’

Turns out a lot of people want custom axes and hatchets. Through hard work, time management, prioritizing and networking I went from selling 19 axes in year one to over 1050 this past year. The demands was there, I found the right strategic partners and, in some cases, the right partners found me.

I’m confident that if I were to take the full-time plunge I could blow the business up! And when the time is right I might just do that!

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

Connections and networking are critical. I attended Michigan State University for undergrad and was fortunate enough to go to Italy on a study abroad program. That was in 2008. Fast forward to earlier this year, my old professor and study abroad leader reached out. He now teaches public relations at Northern Michigan University and wanted to know if I’d be interested in having Motor City Axe be the subject for his graduate class case study campaigns project. Without hesitation I said yes! Over the course of the next few months the students (10 in total) worked and built out 2 campaigns centered around my business – one group focused on the website and social media growth while the other focused on new product launch and new markets. It was a terrific experience and I’ve already implemented a handful of the changes/suggestions the creative students put together. In the end it was the equivalent of having a full service marketing agency audit the business. I am thankful for the connection and the opportunity and plan to stay in touch with some of the students.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.motorcityaxe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motorcityaxe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MotorCityAxe/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/motorcityaxe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MotorCityAxe

Image Credits
All photos taken by and belong to Motor City Axe.