In this episode I welcome Dave Dollar of Dave Dollar custom pens to talk about how he transitioned into pen making from other wood working, and has turned that into a fulfilling retirement career of making custom fountain pens. Dave talks through his pen models, how he was able to find a unique niche that needed to be filled with one of his pen models, and how he has differentiated his pen models. Dave talks about winning the Orlando Pen Show makers contest and touches on plans for a repeat performance. This was a fun episode, so I hope that you enjoy.

Show Links https://davedollarcustompens.com

https://www.instagram.com/davedollarcustompens/

https://www.hellotellostudio.com

https://www.logstotreasures.com/zodiac-pens

https://garnyandco.com

https://orlandopenshow.com

https://www.littlecraftplace.com

https://www.littlecraftplace.com/pages/events

https://www.floridastationeryfest.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dave Dollar and His Journey

02:20 Diving into the World of Pen Making

13:45 Transitioning from Hobbyist to Business Owner

21:59 Innovative Designs and Niche Markets

24:23 The Art of Customization in Pen Making

26:39 Winning the Orlando Pen Show Pen Maker Challenge

31:12 The Dynamics of Local Craft Shows

36:41 Exploring Materials and Custom Commissions

44:11 Future Innovations in Pen Design

47:49 Outro