“There are always people around who may help you!”

Nerijus is a professional blacksmith. He is an optimistic, self-confident and successful person, who has established his own business in 2014. Nerijus regarding himself as a blacksmith artist, because his products unite both – creativity and traditional techniques. He is mostly creating barbecues, gates, balconies and different decorations. Nerijus explains, that being an ordinary employee you live “from salary to salary”, while being a lifestyle entrepreneur your income depends on your effort: you can gain as much money as you need additionally.

HOW NERIJUS STARTED HIS LIFESTYLE BUSINESS

Being a student of an Art school, he has never thought about becoming a blacksmith. The need to fix some household stuff forced him to borrow his uncle’s old welding machine. Once with a family they were going to spend a weekend near the lake, and, thus, he decided to make a barbecue to cook outdoors. Nerijus’ wife took a picture and posted it on a Facebook. They both were very surprised when it was sold just in one day! That was a beginning of his lifestyle entrepreneurship as a blacksmith.

“You cannot stop – you are seeking for more and more challenges. And it makes you happy”

HOW NERIJUS DEVELOPED HIS LIFESTYLE BUSINESS

Nerijus runs his business primarily alone. At the beginning it was difficult, because he did not have any materials. He borrowed some appliances from his friends and neighbours. At first he worked in a village, but later on, receiving more and more orders, Nerijus decided to organize a separate working space. So, he rented a garage in a city and equipped a smithy. The clients were happy and satisfied with the result, that later orders became more and more complicated with lot of needs.

Nowadays Nerijus perceives blacksmithing as a “drug”, when you create some beautiful things, and later you want to improve and make it even better in order to gain more positive emotions, positive evaluation and feedback from other people, get their appreciation and be helpful. The blacksmith craft is quite seasonal, says Nerijus. People are more likely to purchase different stuff in spring and summer, rather than in winter. But Nerijus uses a winter time for creativity and invention of new ways of working with metal.

Striving to become more independent

WHAT ARE NERIJUS’ PLANS FOR FUTURE

In the future, Nerijus wants to become even more independent – to purchase his own working space and not to rent any. He would like to have more constant clients, therefore he is actively advertising his crafts and services in the Internet. Nerijus is planning to learn and obtain more knowledge about financial issues in business.

“If you have a dream – implement it today!”

WHAT ARE NERIJUS’ SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WILLING TO BECOME SELF-EMPLOYED

“Before starting your own business, you need to research the market – who are your competitors and what are the prices for similar products”, recommends Nerijus. Without knowing the price, you may evaluate your own work wrong. In addition, you need to insure anti-fire safety of your working space and own health safety.

If you have any doubts about your skills or lack of knowledge related to your craft – remember, there are always people around who may help you!

If you have a dream – implement it today! Because tomorrow your life may change, and the daily routine may swallow you. So, do it now!