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

Hi Joseph, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I learned early on in life that you can make more money working for yourself. I had 3 jobs where I was paid hourly, I always found it limiting. Sales and commission along with running your own company are the best because your ambitions and efforts are rewarded.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Around 10 years ago I decided to switch from regular metal fabrication to metal art fabrication Before switching to metal art sculptures I was was working, traveling opening whole foods markets up and down the east coast, doing all of their custom stainless work and catering to new restaurants needing custom stainless steel work. We worked from 7am to 7pm a lot of days just running all the time following guidelines from engineers and architects on every job. I had a new shop neighbor who did metal sculptures and was good at it so he opened my eyes to the creative side of fabricating metal art not following a set of detailed plans.

My art today is mostly hand made sometimes using the laser to cut parts. All the designs I do myself by hand then have a local cad designer but it on the computer making videos and rendering for our customer. The design process is the best because I have already made the sculpture in my head, the fabrication part flushes out things I didn’t think of so the sculptures are constantly being adjusted based on how it looks. Not too uncommon to draw something and have it totally different in the end of the creative process usually better than the rendering. When I am commissioned to make a sculpture I always add a lot of detail because customers appreciate getting more than they imagined.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First we would go to the beach in Deerfield close to my house, then to dinner at one of the great restaurants around town, the next day all day-and-night in Miami seeing the sights, maybe two days in Miami because there is so much to see, then we would head to Fort Lauderdale Las Olas for more fun. Delray Beach one night and of course Boca Raton which is close as well.
The best thing about living in South Florida is that you have a lot of options, every area is different all centered around our beautiful beaches.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would lit to dedicate my shout out to all my suppliers, contractors, helpers, and other artists who help me get things done. Your team is the most important commodity you have as a business owner. I couldn’t fabricate metal sculptures without a team.

Website: https://www.stainlesssteeljoe.com

Instagram: stainlesssteeljoe

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