Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Kester
Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Nick Kester, a 36-year-old songwriter from Hinckley, Minnesota. My music project, Sweet Thunder, is named after my first bike gifted by my late sister, Ellie. I’ve been working on my songs since 2018, writing and recording 13 originals with Zach Maslowski. I seek to grow as a songwriter, mainly in Rock but also exploring other genres.
I’ve been sober for four years, which has fueled my songwriting. Music has always been my dream. I attended a songwriters retreat in Breezy Point, MN, last fall, hosted by Chad Shank of At Home Song Writing. Now, I’m part of their Pro writers group, learning and improving every Saturday.
Besides music, I own a small manufacturing/welding business, which keeps me busy. I love welding as much as I love music. My goal is to keep working hard, learning, and writing, hoping to share my message with others someday. I am grateful for my professional success and the inner fulfillment that songwriting brings. It’s about living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as the pathway to ✌️.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Finding time to write or play guitar can be challenging. Accepting feedback is crucial for learning, despite its difficulty. Making time for these activities is beneficial. My dog Daisy enjoys it when I play guitar or sing. I love her very much!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own and operate a thriving welding and manufacturing business that specializes in the Boat Dock, Boat & Pontoon Lift industry. Our team consists of highly skilled and experienced welders and fabricators, committed to delivering top-quality products. The business was founded by my father in 1981, and he initially focused on Steel Roll-In Docks before transitioning to Aluminum as it gained popularity. Over time, he expanded the product line to include boat and pontoon lifts, which have become a cornerstone of our offerings.
Located between Danbury, WI, and Hinckley, MN, our strategic position in a lake-rich area benefits both our business and our customers. I have been immersed in this industry from a young age, and my formal education includes a degree in Welding and Fabrication from Northwood Technical College (formerly Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College) in Superior, WI, which I obtained in 2010.
What sets our products apart from the competition is our deep understanding of what works and what doesn’t, born from our extensive experience and expertise as welders and fabricators. We take pride in designing functional, solid products that are cost-effective and easy to transport. The market is competitive, but our long-standing reputation, built over 44 years, and our dedicated client base speak to our credibility and success.
Growing up with the business and our clients has underscored the importance of relationships, which remain at the heart of our operations. I am proud of our achievements and am eager to explore new manufacturing markets, leveraging our skills and experience to drive further growth and innovation.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I absolutely love living in Minnesota. While summer is my busiest season work-wise, it still offers me plenty of moments to enjoy life—whether it’s taking my boat out on the water, cruising around on my motorcycle, or watching my wonderful dog Daisy run free and have a blast during the workday. There’s nothing better than throwing on a cut-off tee and soaking in the outdoors. And, of course, I can’t leave out one of Minnesota’s best features—the lakes!
As for what I like least, the short daylight hours in winter can be tough. That said, it does have an unexpected upside—it pushes me to wrap up work on time, which lets me focus on other parts of my life beyond just my job
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/nick.kester.5/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090275913090
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nickkester348
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rhsMl9192zrtYrlVx0CJA?si=BvlkDP3MRhiAFU89RLDwsQ
