Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Bruckwicki.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started sewing products while attending CMU around 2009. I moved to Atlanta a few years later and started sewing cycling bags out of Loose Nuts Cycles in Grant Park. I developed my methods in the loft of the bike shop. It took two years before I met who would be my business partner for the next eight years running and designing products for the brand Nock Co. At the conclusion of Nock Co. I was looking to work for a larger business, try my hand at the corporate world, and was hired on as an R&D Engineer for a company that makes sewn goods for mass transit, military applications, and tentage. After two years of the corporate world, I broke off to be the upholsterer on a large budget Marvel film and have since explored the film industry.
That’s a brief overview of my career but what I think I have accomplished for the city is through all of my ventures I have given to the sewing community. Helping people get started and consult with small makers to create better more useful and beautiful products. My passion lies in creating something new. Moving away from the production manufacturing setting allows me to settle into how I naturally make items which I call Slowform. I work at a pace that allows my mind to wonder and change with how the products or items direct me. It’s a more artistic approach that puts me in a wonderful mental place.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Building a business or working for oneself is riddled with stress and struggle. From trying to get your voice heard in the split second that any company has on social media, to supply chain, to money flow there are dozens of obstacles. That’s why businesses fail. I have had all of those struggles and the one thing I have learned is that if you aren’t able to effectively do one of those dozens necessitates then find someone who can. Pay for a service and allow yourself to focus on what you really bring to the company. One bad decision if unchecked can sink a project, allow others to help, find a sounding board. Follow your desires not the money. Hustle = money only if you have passion and authenticity when you are starting out.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have specialized in helping creatives and makers focus, organize and grow thier business. If they can save one hour a day to give back to themselves then I have succeeded. For my own work I have recently been focusing on expressing my design ideologies in things like clothing and furniture design. I have collected skills over the years from fine woodworking, welding, to sewing, I even once had a pancake popup restaurant.
I am always proud of the effort that the people I have worked with put in. We work collaboratively because when I step away they have to continue. Seeing small makers that I have worked with continue to grow and succeed brings the most joy professionally I could ask for.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My wife has stuck with me through all of the iterations of my creative pursuits. I know it hasn’t been easy. When one has a business that is so integrated with their personality when the company suffers so does mental health. My wife has accepted that and given me so much support over the years. Additionally, all of the people that have given me an opportunity to help them like Ezz from The Spindle, Chris at Loose Nuts Cycles, or the fellas over at Brother Moto. I have been lucky that people have given me chances.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://localhardware.co
- Instagram: instagram.com/slow.form
