We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marcus Castillo Montoya. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marcus below.
Marcus , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
It all started when I wanted to pursue and learn spanish classical guitar at the age of 21. I bought a one way ticket to spain. When, I got there I decided to explore different parts of Europe. My curiosity led me to a very unique shop that taught me learned how to cut my very first coin. This was the day I met my mentor who changed my life. He showed me a coin, but it was cut out. The image of the figure looked like it was floating inside of the coin. I was so fascinated from the idea, and the process. I proceeded to ask him how he did it. Then, he showed me a handsaw. I held that handsaw, and knew in that instant it was fate. Then, I learned that my mentor who has two sons that he planned on passing down this trade to. Neither of them wanted to learn. When, he saw me, and the amount of enthusiasm into what he was doing. He decided to take me under his wings, and teach me. From there on I trained, and broke countles +saw blades to get to where I am at today. In exchange for him teaching me I sold his work all over street corners in Europe. When, I gained the skills to create my own beautiful pieces of art. I wanted to scale it further by eventually opening up my own shop called MCM Coin art shop in Old town ABQ, NM. I worked many jobs like furniture delivery, and odd jobs over a 3 year span. Finally, I opened the shop in old town abq, NM my hometown. Today I have done thousands of coins from different countries, and sold over thousands of coins to people from all over the world. I became a full time business owner, and artist.
Marcus , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As an artist that works with coins as my medium was very difficult to learn at first. I broke many saw blades, and got really creative on my ideas. I started with a cheap handsaw, a tripod, and a drill. Overtime I bought some microscopic glasses to really get the letters and details of the coins. I really pour my time in cutting each coin, and welding to turn it into a beautiful piece of art. Bringing our each image from coins from all over the world. My favorite part of what I do is connecting, and learning about the different cultures from cutting custom coins for my clients. This artform of cutting coins with a handsaw has been around for years. I wanted to really incorporate it, and use in this unique artform. I create each piece in front of the clients’, and they can watch me cut it out on the spot.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Opening up a business in Old town abq, NM. It was very tough, and realizing for the most part it was a seasonal business. There were months of very few clients. There was a wave of clients wanting to buy my pieces. During the slow times in the business. It was a very rough time period, and I almost closed down the business. I decided to make it work, and do what I could to save the business, and scale it. I created tons of pieces during the slow time. When, the busy times came I was prepared. I did various jobs to get through the slow seasons. I started to build my portfolio on instagram. By word of mouth.The business started grow and prosper. This business was my calling. I chose to stick it through, and never give up.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
I create all the unique pieces of art by hand with a handsaw. Even though it is a lot of work to create my inventory. I love every part of the process. I have learned that quality is always better than over quantity. What I mean by that is taking the time into each piece to create beautiful pieces of art. Doing everything by hand. I am able to achieve the best results. I have learned that out all of the products out there that are produced in a factory. I am a running machine in my own factory. There is not a machine out there to cut a coin precisely on how I do it. My microscopic glasses allow me to cut out each letter, and to refine the details. I am a one man factory. From cutting the coin to welding the bail to polishing the coin. Producing and creating unique pieces of art you can wear. I enjoy the process of creating art in my one man factory.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mcmcoinart
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/3nsFmZkuO18?si=5qi0v8dRbUggg7Rc
