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

Alright, John thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Like a lot of people, I think I had the idea for my business when I was a teenager in junior high school, without knowing that I was actually coming up with a business idea. I had started playing the guitar a year or two earlier, and I was bored in English class one day, so I started doodling guitar designs in my notebook (I think I still have a few of those doodles in a folder somewhere).

Over the next few decades, as I went about my journey as a performer and writer, I would visit local music stores wherever I travelled, studying the designs and playing as many instruments as I could. As my personal equipment collection grew and I gained more experience, I began to explore modifications, kit builds, and DIY luthiery, but the results were not as satisfying as I initially hoped. So, I had enrolled in a formal luthier training program in Nashville, TN where I was living at the time, and, after interning doing vintage guitar repair and working at an instrument finishing shop in the city, I launched my own business.

In terms of the actual process, it was similar to many businesses- I needed a space to work, the proper tax documentation and licenses, insurances- and an accountant. Much of the initial set-up was really just paperwork and spending money to “create” the business on paper, before I had a single official client. This process can be frustrating and seem larded with unnecessary and confusing bureaucracy, but it’s important to lay the groundwork so that you don’t run into bigger problems later.

Once I was able to get established, however, I began to a modest client base almost immediately- my previous relationships as a player and my location in a music town was a big help in jump-starting the business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I got into the business of luthiery because it was a life-long interest, and I felt that as an experienced player with a variety of different musical and technical experiences that I might have something to offer.

In terms of what makes my services different, there is no question that there are many experienced and talented builders and techs in this industry. I would never presume to say that my offerings and repair service are “better” than anyone else’s, but I believe that the decades I spent as a player and consumer of high-end guitars, amps and equipment BEFORE becoming a tech and luthier gives me some insight into what works, what doesn’t and how the technical specifications of a custom design translate to the experience of using it in the real world. I believe this allows me to meet my client’s needs and communicate with them perhaps more effectively than some more experienced techs who have focused primarily on the engineering, and perhaps less on their performance/recording experience.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

It’s amazing how many people with talent, vision and skill are, unfortunately, very unreliable, or downright untrustworthy. In my experience across multiple industries, people appreciate working with someone who communicates effectively, and does what they say they will, and when.

Life and business are unpredictable, and we all run into problems outside of our control, but communicating with your customers and meeting your self-imposed deadlines will take you a lot farther than being the super-skilled person who won’t answer the phone, show up on time, or finish a project without making constant excuses or having to be policed by the client- all things that seem to be more common than not in nearly every business segment these days.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I painted houses, played gigs, used my savings, and borrowed against my home to purchase equipment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.keiltyguitarworks.com

Image Credits
Profile Photo: Dave Johnson