Today we’d like to introduce you to Levi Stovall.
Hi Levi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Knowing that I wanted to pursue a career being creative with both my mind and hands I applied to colleges for Fine Arts. Painting, drawing, sculpture, etc. The life of a starving artist.
Before graduating high school in 2005 though I took a metal shop/ welding class and quickly fell in love with the process. taking 2 pieces of metal and making them one with massive amounts of electricity. It wasn’t until later that I was introduced into the world of ornamental ironwork and even later still blacksmithing.
After graduating from the Art Institute of Boston with a BFA in 2009 I decided to move back to Houston before debt consumed me. I soon started my own fabrication business. A one man show. I was a salesman, fabricator, prep man, painter, installer, even the bookkeeper. It sucked. For 3 years it sucked. It was lonely out there.
I responded to an ad for a salesman at a local metal fabrication shop and sold myself to the company. I told the owner at the time “you’re gonna effing hire me, I’m meant for this job”. Secretly I was desperate for that team-based environment. Somewhere you could bounce ideas off people, somewhere you could reach out and ask for help and most of all LEARN. That was 2013.
In December 2018 I bought the 30-year-old company from its original owner Bill Peck. Here we are starting year 4, going on 30 more.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
1st year we were victims of cyber terrorism. I bought the company and its 30 years of assets, including computer files such as CAD drawings and job files. Everything was encrypted. we did not negotiate and were eventually able to recover everything with the exception of 1 months work, drawings, client files, emails, ect. 2nd year (2020) COVID, the world shuts down. we get a letter of exempt from Lina Hildalgos’s office. We go back to work and haven’t stopped since. The industry has exploded with demand.
3 rd year more COVID, lots of employee turn over due to the “labor shortage”=lots of OverTime.
4th year WWIII?? Massive material shortages and major material price hikes. steel is now triple the cost it was January 2020. BUT we are currently doing better in the 30+ year history of this company.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Peck & Company metal smiths design and produce high end custom metalwork. Located in Houston, Texas, our portfolio reflects our 30+ years of work. We focus on building electric and gas lanterns, chandeliers, sconces, tables, beds, fire screens, pot racks, drapery hardware and numerous one-of-a-kind items.
Peck & Company serves interior designers, architects, landscape designers, real estate developers, builders and select homeowners. Our work has been featured in highly regarded publications such as Architectural Digest, Veranda, House Beautiful and Southern Accents. Peruse our portfolio section to view some of our favorite projects!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We work primarily with interior designers, architects and home builders. We do custom high end ironwork. We’re traditional blacksmiths at heart. We always say “if you can find it, buy it. If you can’t and you have an idea of what you’re looking for, let’s talk”. Give our office a ring at 713-526-2590 or come by the shop and take a look around our showroom.
Contact Info:
- Email: levi@peckandcompany.com
- Website: www.peckandcompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peck_and_company/
Image Credits:
Levi Stovall
