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In this episode of the Knife and Tool Sharpening Podcast, I sit down with Phil Van Lanen, owner of Van Lanen Sharpening, for a thoughtful, honest conversation about craft, service, and building a sharpening business the right way.

Phil shares how his approach to sharpening has always been grounded in serving people first — focusing on doing good work, treating customers well, and letting the business grow naturally instead of chasing quick wins. We talk about his early days getting started, lessons learned along the way, and the mindset shifts that helped him build something sustainable and fulfilling.

This conversation isn’t about hype, shortcuts, or gimmicks. It’s about:

• Starting a sharpening business with integrity
• Learning through mistakes and staying humble
• Communicating clearly with customers
• Balancing craftsmanship with real-world business needs
• Why service, consistency, and care still matter in a trade business

Whether you’re just getting started in sharpening, years into the craft, or simply interested in building a small trade-based business that aligns with your values, this episode offers grounded perspective and practical wisdom from someone who’s living it.