We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paul Flannigan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Paul thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

I used to own a bicycle shop with sales and service. I was a wonderful experience and education in customer service, business operations, and vendor management. The best insight I received from that was to be your own advocate. As a business owner no one is coming to help you, you are the help. I was lucky with a good economy when I started and many of my mistakes were easily absorbed. Fortunately I learned many lessons and was prepared for a tighter economy. Ultimately I closed the shop but it was 11 years of experience I still carry today. It may sound simple and too aspirational but I tell people to plan out exactly what you’d like to happen in their life or business. Then think about the advice you’d give someone looking to achieve those things.

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

My name is Paul Flannigan and I make axe handles by hand. I restore vintage axe heads and put them with my handles to sell as complete projects. The business started as a mental health outlet. After owning a bicycle shop for 11 years I had a very difficult time finding a job. My self confidence was at an all-time low. I was in a dark place and I needed to change my mindset. I had come across a restored axe on social media and was immediately drawn to it. For some reason I thought all restorers made their own handles and thought I needed to do the same. I had very few woodworking tools at the time but the ignorance was helpful at this point. Very slowly I made my first handle and it wasn’t too bad. The next one was better ,and the one after that better still. I started taking pictures of them and a couple friends asked if I’d make them one. Then it was friends of friends. Eventually with a move to Montana I started Stumptown Axes which I call my professional hobby.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After I closed my bicycle shop I desired to enter the job market in any number of roles. I was truly willing to start at the bottom because I believed in my ability to preform and find a company that would appreciate what I could bring. It took me several years and fighting to realize that my greatest impact would be felt at home. Pivoting to primary care giver and supporting my wife’s career made the most sense. Developing Stumptown Axes came from working within the constraints of family commitments. As Stumptown Axes has grown it now comes more in conflict with that now but my kids are also older and more self reliant. Basically the message is your role in business and family constantly is evolving and will potentially always be slightly out of balance and needs monitoring.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I can’t think of an individual story to share but will share a saying that I like, “nobody is going to believe in you until you do it.” Resiliency is such an important thing in business and life. It can’t be thought of as a big negative that people aren’t lining up because you have a good idea. People like proof. You have to have an internal resolve to see a project and idea through. Most people don’t start businesses. Owning your own business is sailing from safe waters to an island you believe is better than the place you left. The journey will be hard and have challenges. Even great ideas fail which is why many never stray from the shore. Make a map, visit the closest island you are pretty sure you can reach.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stumptownaxes.com
• Instagram: @stumptownaxes.com
• Facebook: Stumptown Axes
• Linkedin: Paul Flannigan
• Youtube: @StumptownAxes

Image Credits
The picture of me was taken by Aaron Sharp. All other photos were taken by myself.