We had the good fortune of connecting with Justin Klocke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?

Spending time at the workbench always gives me joy. I love being connected with the materials and processes that make up the world around us. The tactile experience is the first indicator of the quality of an object, and while everything in the world around us is made cheaper, often time the quality is lessened. That is why I started my business, Nishnabotna. I wanted to be able to provide quality, well-designed items with longevity. When I finish a product at my bench, I get to experience that with every piece before it is sent out into the world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my business, Nishnabotna out of my love for making. My favorite part of the day is sitting at the bench and picking up the next project. I love making because it’s incredibly rewarding to know that you’ve created something that is well designed, well built, has longevity, and embraces craftspersonship.

I hope to be the opposite of fast fashion, throwaway culture, and oppressive capitalism. I price the products work as fairly as I can because I do not want to exclude the average person. Great craft and design are too often reserved for luxury items, and so it excludes the average buyer. For many reasons on top of that, people buy cheaper goods that don’t last. That may be due to poor construction, bad design, or a change in trends. I want Nishnabotna to be a reason to support small makers and keep craftspersonship alive.

Some days are much easier than others when it comes to running a small business. I really enjoy the days I get to tune out the world and do a small production run. I might enjoy doing the books more than handling the social media and marketing tasks. All in all, it never sleeps, it’s always growing, changing, and improving. I hope more people can find work, and find something they can love for a long time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Congress Park, so I don’t have to go far to find fun. Lost Lake Lounge and the Blue Bird are close by for music. Congress Park and Cheesman are both short walks and great spots to take the dog. Colfax Ave has tons to offer, but in my neighborhood, I like dropping into Middleman for a weeknight drink or Sienna Wine Bar for a glass of wine. Both of those spots have great food too! I really love BBQ, so if I were to leave my neighborhood, it would be to get to AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have helped me get where I am. In the day-to-day, my girlfriend, Nikki, helps keep me happy, sane, and positive. My sister, Steph, and her husband, Neil helped me plan and gave me the confidence to get Nishnabotna off the ground. On top of that, there have been so many people – friends, co-workers, employers, employees, students, teachers, and strangers that have shown me kindness, guidance, and a million other things to help me get this far. This is dedicated to them all!

Website: https://nishnabotna.com

Instagram: @nishnabotna

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