Thomas Cunningham has always held a passion for creativity and a head for business. He has been able to use this passion to to manage and grow Think Metal in Canyon. Started in 2015, Think Metal sells custom pieces locally and online to both businesses and individuals. Thomas, along with owner Seth Bernard, has been able to double their shop space and bring on two part time employees.
Check out the work they recently did for the WT Enterprise Center!
The SBDC got to know Thomas in 2021 when he and Seth applied for and won $100k in the Amarillo EnterPrize Challenge! They've used the funds to continue to scale their online operations and bring new money to the local economy.
We caught up with Thomas to learn more about what Think Metal is up to and what advice he has for other small businesses.
Year started: 2015
How did Think Metal get its start: Think Metal evolved from a passion for creativity and a
desire for a tangible, service based business.
Favorite memory in the business: My favorite memory is moving the shop from Denver, CO to
Canyon, TX in 2019. We doubled our shop space and ramped up the shop to two part time
employees.
Most rewarding part of running a small business: The flexibility and pride in our work. We like to
make sure we are spending quality time with our families and we can’t blame anyone else for
our success or failures.
Hardest part of running a small business: If it’s going to be, it’s up to me! Our team has done a
great job navigating what we cannot control and rolling with the punches. The last few years
have been challenging for every business owner, but for every valley, there will be a peak.
How does the business get to positively impact your community: We love partnering with
other local businesses to see projects come to life. We are currently working on an internship
program to introduce youth to entrepreneurship and manufacturing.
Biggest challenge in the business: Our industry has a lot of competition and it is a constant
challenge adapting to our market and the needs of our customers. We continue to focus on what
is best for the business and our customers alike.
What makes Think Metal different from your competition: We have increased our digital
footprint for the last 6 years and have one of the fastest turnaround times among our
competitors.
Best tip for others in business: Make the passion and needed discipline for your business a
high priority. Taking care of your mental health and always doing your best makes a difference.
Favorite current podcast: Modern Wisdom - Chris Williamson
Visit Think Metal's website to order and keep with all that they're doing on Instagram and Facebook!
