Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hank Donovan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hank, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Rattlesnake Cable Company is the product of a lifelong passion for music, combined with a diverse work history and an obsession with quality gear. I’ve been playing guitar since the early ’90s, and over the years—through countless bands and projects—I found myself on the endless quest for better tone and higher-quality equipment. Along the way, I picked up a soldering iron and started experimenting with electronics. After a while, I asked myself: Could I build something useful for my music? That question sparked a whole new journey.
It all started with building guitar pedals for myself and my musician friends. Before long, I turned my attention to cables. I made one for my own rig, and when I brought it to practice, a bandmate immediately asked if I could make him one. Soon, word spread. Friends of friends—and eventually total strangers—began reaching out for custom cables. That’s when I realized this might be “a thing,” and Rattlesnake Cable Company was born.
Hank, 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?
Rattlesnake Cable Company was founded twelve years ago by myself and my partner, Amy Donovan. With our diverse backgrounds, we bring a unique perspective to the business—one rooted in a shared philosophy shaped by years of working together in the restaurant industry. Oddly enough, that experience became the foundation for how we run Rattlesnake today. So, what do restaurants and cables have in common? For us, it’s all about customer service. Whether it’s front of house or back of the house, we learned firsthand how critical it is to prioritize the customer in a saturated market where musicians have endless options, and building genuine connections matters. Every day, we work hard to deliver a high level of service while providing the best possible product. Beyond customer care, we also leverage our backgrounds in web development and photography to help grow and shape our brand.
What sets Rattlesnake Cable Company apart from the rest? We believe that every musician deserves not just a premium-quality cable—but also a real connection to the company behind it. When a musician chooses us, they’re putting their trust in our products to deliver exceptional tone and rugged durability—whether it’s in the studio or on the road. We stand behind that trust with a lifetime warranty. We also recognize that no two musicians are the same, which is why we offer custom solutions to meet unique needs. Our cable is proudly milled in the United States and hand-assembled with care in our beautiful mountain town of Missoula, Montana. At Rattlesnake Cable Company, it’s not just about building great cables—it’s about supporting the artists who use them.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Since 2003, we owned and operated a web development business specializing in small business websites and eCommerce storefronts. While the work involved digital assets, servers, and coding—and was successful—it left me feeling unfulfilled. I wanted to create something tangible and real, something that wouldn’t become obsolete in a few years or live solely on a hard drive. More importantly, I wanted to help people with their art. Around the same time, Rattlesnake Cable Company was beginning to take shape—what started as a hobby business with Amy, our kids, and me working together on nights and weekends. We weren’t sure if it would become “the thing,” but we felt the potential. By 2018, we made the decision to go all in—crafting a business plan, setting ambitious goals, and focusing our energy on growth. By 2019, it was clear: Rattlesnake Cable Company was our future. That meant no longer taking on new web development clients and transitioning existing ones to other developers. It was a scary decision—especially with the immediate drop in revenue—but we knew it was the right move. Around this time, we hired our first team member, and by 2020, both Amy and I took our first paycheck from Rattlesnake. Our team member also took the leap, leaving their other job to join us full-time. The future looked bright in January 2020—but no one could have predicted how much the world would change just a few months later.
Ironically, the pandemic ended up being a catalyst for our growth. It forced us to get creative, diversify our offerings, and find new ways to generate revenue. At that point, we had five people working at Rattlesnake, and our top priority was keeping everyone employed and those paychecks flowing—no matter what. We fought through the uncertainty and came out stronger. By 2021, our web development business was officially dissolved, and our focus became 100% Rattlesnake Cable Company. Even though we no longer work with web clients, our coding skills are still part of our DNA—we’re constantly building new website features and internal tools to manage inventory, track performance, and keep things running smoothly.
Through every challenge—whether it’s a recession, supply chain issues, or whatever comes next—we’ve learned to adapt and navigate the tough times with confidence. That same mindset drives us forward today as we continue to grow Rattlesnake and support the musicians who inspire us every day.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Amy and I have known each other since the late ’80s, growing up together in the punk-rock, gothic, and alternative high school scene. Our shared love for music and creativity laid the foundation for our relationship, and in 1993, we became a couple. Over the years, we’ve worked side by side in various capacities—starting in the restaurant industry and later running mutual business ventures together since 2003. Music has always been a central part of our lives—whether as passionate listeners, through my time playing in bands, or with Amy’s work as a live music photographer, capturing the energy of local shows and band portraits in our music scene.
Our business partnership is as strong as our personal one—we truly complement each other. I’m the dreamer, and she’s the strategist. Where I feel uncertain, Amy’s strengths shine through. She has an incredible instinct for risk management and a willingness to push me out of my comfort zone—especially when it comes to major decisions. Whether it’s securing working capital loans or making bold moves like purchasing our shop space, her guidance has been invaluable. These decisions are often daunting, but having Amy by my side to navigate the big-picture choices gives me the confidence to take those leaps. I’m incredibly grateful to have a partner who not only shares my vision but also helps make it a reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rattlesnakecables.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rattlesnakecables
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RattlesnakeCables
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rattlesnake-cable-company/
- Twitter: https://x.com/RSnakeCableCo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RattlesnakeCableCompany
Image Credits
Amy Donovan