Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Zakovich.
Hi Ken, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was introduced to woodworking at a very young age, as both my grandfather and father were woodworkers. Their basements and garages were dedicated to their craft. Early memories around the age of five, when visiting our grandparents, I would spend time in my grandfather’s garage. My dad would sit me down in front of a large wooden stump, hand me my grandpa’s hammer and a box of old nails, and I would happily pound dozens of nails into the top of the stump. I did this to my heart’s delight while listening to them discuss woodworking and gardening. Of course, I now realize this was to keep me pre-occupied. My grandfather worked at LTV Mine in Aurora. In his retirement, he dedicated his time to creating wooden thimbles, many of which appeared in the Gimbels catalog, among other very detailed miniature works like ski pole sets, logging saws and equipment, and a dried flower and knife sharpening business. Fast forward to my teenage years, woodworking was always accessible at home. Our unfinished basement was filled with woodworking machinery and tools, situated just outside my corner bedroom. Every day, I would pass by my dad’s pieces of unfinished furniture, wood jigs, wood inlay pieces, and taped notes with handwritten Sharpie markings—all scattered in an ordered chaos. Much to my teenage dismay, my clothes closet was located outside of my bedroom, causing my wardrobe to smell like every species of domestic wood imaginable.
I was a creative child, spending much of my time creating art through pencil drawing or model building. I loved art in school and eventually studied Communication Art & Design in college. I feel these early surroundings significantly influenced my own desire to create. I began my career in Advertising as a graphic designer. I worked for a few small design shops before settling at Flint Group, where, after two decades, I am now Creative Director and Brand Strategist. Working here broadened and heightened my creative desires, leading me to fulfill my creative needs not only at work but also through my own personal expression—woodworking, graphic design, illustration/sketching, cooking, birding, and photography. Around 2015, I took a leap into the world of woodworking with a CNC machine, and instantly my creative worlds began to merge. I could now use my design abilities and integrate them into woodworking, creating anything I made on the computer in three dimension—home goods, birds, coasters, signs, and more. My creativity was unleashed. My work began to gain notice from friends and family, which prompted me to set up a website. Although I didn’t fully understand what I was doing at the time, the website led to sales and new relationships, ultimately aligning with the maker’s trend around 2016. It was here TIMBR was born and my work began being featured in stores like Rose & Loon in Roseville, MN, and a handful of others. Over the years, TIMBR evolved into a full side hustle, eventually growing into a more self-sustaining business focused on custom signs. I focus on works that have enduring beauty, attention to detail, aligning with a modern Minnesota aesthetic.
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?
Creative expression, in whatever quirky or grand form it takes, is such a release. It keeps my spirits up and generally makes me feel good. This need to make anything, is a real constant in my life, something I’ve never been able to ignore or hold in. It’s always there, day and night, but sometimes what comes out just doesn’t quite click with what’s in my head, and that’s where it feels like your whirling around in a vacuum and can’t put your finger on why. But there’s a real joy in being patient and letting the right mix of ideas, the actual doing, and that little assurance from yourself all come together – those are rewarding, for sure. Ultimately, learning to just let go and trust that the good stuff will show up when it’s good and ready.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a Creative Director and Brand Strategist at an advertising agency, I’ve had the privilege of guiding clients through the process of understanding and articulating their unique stories. It’s about bringing clarity to their voice and establishing a solid foundation rooted in self-awareness, purpose, and a clear path forward. It’s an incredibly rewarding job because when you truly understand the “why” behind who you are, that becomes your superpower. It empowers you to think bigger, reach further, and envision a wider scope with greater confidence. I am deeply devoted to creativity in both my work and personal life and each support each other’s growth.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Back in the early 2000s, I came up with Fooshead™ – an elevated, custom-fit foosball table cover brand designed for Tornado brand tables. Notably, these were purchased by numerous national and international foosball champions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.timbrdesign.com
- Instagram: @timbr_design
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TIMBRDesign
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/zakovich
