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

Mitchell, appreciate you joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Yes, there have been many times when our work at Hamlin Welding has been misunderstood or mischaracterized. Some people may not fully grasp the extent of our skills and mistakenly categorize us as regular welders or a simple metalworking service. They might not realize the level of complexity and artistry involved in our projects!

I learned the welding and fabricating trade while incarcerated, doing a 6-year prison sentence. I made a lot of very bad decisions that led me there, to keep a long story short. But the best decision I made was signing up for the Welding Vocational and getting accepted into the Department Of Labor Apprenticeship Program – which allowed me to be in the Welding shop for 2 modules a day. I quickly discovered a hidden talent and love for building things out of metal!

I knew once I was released, finding a job doing what I loved was going to be a daunting task. With the stigma surrounding felons and ex-convicts, I knew I was going to be seen as just a criminal and a liability to most companies I would be applying to. I also had no vehicle or even a license to drive – the odds were against me.

I was released to a homeless shelter because I had nowhere else to parole to. I had nothing. After 5 years of being incarcerated, all of my belongings from my previous life were gone. My friend got me a job at an asphalt and seal coating company as a laborer – not my ideal job but it put money in my pocket as I strived to get out of the shelter and applied for welding jobs.

A couple of weeks later, I had my first interview for a welding position! I was upfront and honest about my situation, I even offered to work for free for a couple weeks to prove I was willing to put in the effort. I rode the bus or my bike to work every day and most days I was the first one there and the last one to leave. In less than a year, I was promoted to the Shop Foreman,

There are many parts of that story I spared but in the midst of all that, I met my wife who had 2 young boys with no father figure – to make that long story short – I adopted them and we had another son together. Our boys gave me a reason to work even harder and create bigger goals. That’s how Hamlin Welding And Fabricating LLC (Formerly Hamlin Mobile Welding LLC) was born!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello, I’m Mitch Hamlin, the founder and owner of Hamlin Welding & Fabricating, based in New York. My journey into the world of welding and fabrication began somewhat unexpectedly. I found myself serving a five-year prison sentence and it was there that I learned the art and science of welding. When I was released five years ago, I started from scratch, living in a homeless shelter, and determined to build a better life for myself and my family.

I created Hamlin Welding & Fabricating from the ground up, pouring every ounce of my being into this business. Today, we specialize in designing and building custom metalwork pieces for a variety of industries. Whether it’s a unique dining table for your home, industrial equipment for your business, or a piece of art that you want to bring to life, our team can make it happen.

One of the aspects I pride myself on, which I believe sets us apart, is our commitment to effective communication. I ensure we take the time to understand our clients’ needs thoroughly and work closely with them to create designs that meet their specific requirements.

In terms of problems we solve for our clients, we’re often approached by people who are looking for something unique and high-quality, something that can’t be found in typical stores or catalogs. We offer the solution to that problem, providing custom metalwork pieces tailored to their needs and style.

What am I most proud of? It’s a combination of things, really. The fact that I was able to turn my life around and establish a successful business is something that gives me immense satisfaction. But beyond that, I take immense pride in the satisfaction of our clients. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of delivering a project on time, within budget, and seeing the look of joy on a client’s face when they see their vision brought to life.

I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that at Hamlin Welding & Fabricating, we put our heart and soul into every piece we create. We’re not just about welding metal together; we’re about creating pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We value your input and work diligently to make your vision a reality.

We’re also about resilience, hard work, and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance. We’re proof that it’s possible to turn your life around, no matter how bleak things may seem.

Lastly, I’m a family man. I understand the importance of work-life balance, and I bring this understanding into our business. We’re committed to delivering high-quality work, but not at the expense of our personal lives. Because at the end of the day, it’s the people in our lives who make everything worthwhile.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and bring your vision to life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative and an artist in the field of welding and fabrication is the ability to turn a simple concept or idea into a tangible, functional, and beautiful piece of work. There’s an indescribable joy in taking raw materials, like pieces of metal, and transforming them into something unique that can add value and beauty to someone’s life or work.

It’s incredibly fulfilling to see a client’s face light up when they see their vision, which they entrusted to me, brought to life. It’s not just about creating something out of metal. It’s about creating something that reflects someone’s personality, their style, their values. When they look at the piece I’ve crafted, they see a part of themselves in it, and that’s a truly rewarding experience.

Also, every project presents its own set of challenges and overcoming these challenges through creativity and technical skills is a rewarding experience in itself. It’s a constant journey of learning, adapting, and growing. I believe that’s what being an artist or a creative is all about – it’s a never-ending quest for growth and self-improvement, and the ability to create something beautiful along the way. Plus, it stimulates my ADHD!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In early 2020, as the world was grappling with the onset of COVID-19, my wife and I were preparing for a personal milestone of our own – the arrival of our third son. We were living in a space that was too small for our expanding family, and it became clear that we needed to move into a larger home.

At that point, I was running Hamlin Welding & Fabricating while also holding down a full-time job to support my family. I was burning the candle at both ends, juggling the demands of two jobs while my wife took care of our kids at home. It was a challenging time, but I knew that I had to keep pushing forward for the sake of my family.

The real estate market was tough, and we needed to increase our income in order to secure a home loan. It was then that I made a critical decision. I decided to expand Hamlin Welding & Fabricating, offering not only custom welding services but also metal art and furniture. This pivot allowed us to tap into a broader market and bring in additional revenue.

This was a massive gamble. I was already stretched thin, and this expansion required an even greater investment of time and energy. But I was determined to provide a better life for my family, so I doubled down on my efforts.

I spent countless nights in the workshop, crafting unique pieces that showcased the versatility and beauty of metal. Each piece was a labor of love, a testament to my commitment to my craft and my family. Word began to spread, and orders started coming in for our custom furniture and art pieces.

The pivot paid off. Our income increased, and we were able to secure a loan for a house. It was a proud moment when we moved into our new home, a space that was large enough for our growing family. But what made it even more meaningful was knowing that it was the result of our resilience and ability to adapt in the face of adversity.

Looking back, that period of our lives was an intense but rewarding journey. It was a test of our resolve, a testament to the power of adaptation and hard work. It showed us that even in the most challenging times, there is always a way forward if you’re willing to think creatively and work hard. That’s a lesson we’ve carried with us, and it continues to guide us in our personal lives and in our business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hamlinwelding.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamlinwelding/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hamlinwelding/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hamlin-welding/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hamlinwelding
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hamlinwelding