May 8, 2017

Meet Mike Harbolt of Saint Udio in Athens

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Harbolt.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mike. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Saint Udio is a metal shop that was founded in Athens, Ga by Andy Flage in 2011. In the early years, the shop catered to any custom project including contracting work, wood work, and metal work. In 2013, I started working with Andy and we dedicated the shop to metal work. Both having graduated from UGA with a Bachelors in Fine Arts, we started taking on a more artful approach with our designs. From tree gates and mailboxes to vine rails and arbors we began working with home and business owners looking for unique features for their homes and business’s.

Eventually we grew out of our tight little shop and into a bigger warehouse on the other side of town. We now get to share a space and collaborate with Oneta Woodworks, Heavy Friends Furniture and Character Built Construction.

While we still fabricate ornamental structures for those who come looking for unique features for their homes and business, we also began working with interior designers and builders who need someone to bring their own designs to life. Custom vent hoods have become our most popular request.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As with starting up and keeping any small business going I believe there will always be struggles. Some come with two different personalities steering the ship- but we also balance each other out so it benefits us in the end. Other struggles come with learning how to constantly evolve with not only our team of employees but our clients. Everyone’s needs are forever changing and although it gets challenging, we continue to learn and grow and that’s what keeps us in the game.

Saint Udio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a metal fabrication company that specializes in custom designs for business owners and home owners alike. We design and engineer anything from gates, mail boxes and vent hoods to furniture, signage and abstract sculptures. We also love working with designers and builders that are in need of someone to fabricate their designs.

Right now, tree gates and vent hoods are our most popular order.

What we’re most proud of as a company is developing such a strong sturdy foundation to grow on with our employees. Taking care of them and their needs first has developed this sort of unstoppable force and can’t imagine taking on some of these projects without them.

What I think sets us apart from similar businesses is that we can take on such unique custom projects. We can take a concept and engineer it to be functional, efficient and eye catching.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is producing the best product and having great relationships with my clients and employees.

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