Rising Stars: Meet Nick Mele

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Mele.

Hi Nick, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Shortly after moving to Castle Rock, our young and growing family was settling into our dream home. It was everything we wanted in a house — except for the staircase rail, which appeared as if someone attempted to remodel it and ran out of experience or motivation. So, as a lifelong DIYer, I began looking for materials to rebuild it.

I found a free computer-aided design system and did my best to recall what I learned in school about this type of software. The project took about eight months to complete, including replacing the stair treads and flooring while working full-time at a car dealership and overcoming COVID once or twice.

My satisfaction with the work and finished product was starkly contrasted by my unsatisfying 9-5 (or, sometimes 6 am – 9 pm). I loved helping people in my sales role, but working around a shortening supply of cars, and ever-evolving COVID restrictions were becoming an unbearable burden. It was when I posted a photo of my project on a local social media group that I realized this was something I needed to do.

I was shocked to find overwhelming interest in what I had created, along with messages from several homeowners and contractors interested in hiring me. From that initial interest, I contracted with one client, often working until 2 or 3 a.m. to complete the project while also working my day job. I often saw a grazing herd of pronghorn on my drive out to that project. I always had an affinity for the uniqueness of that animal. Their black antlers are an unmistakable icon, the tines curving to sharp points.

And so, Black Tine Design was born in 2022 with an emphasis on quality, which is often in the details, the point, and the tone of the horn if you will. Our goal is to be known as a lifestyle brand that produces ultra-high-quality products. For now, we work out of my garage, converted into an ultra-high-efficiency workshop. Things get pretty crowded sometimes, so there is a place for everything, and everything is in its place.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The only easy day for us (and I think this is true for most small businesses) was the day I decided to quit my day job. I was stuck in a spot between building and setting up the shop and equipment and fulfilling contracted work. That tension was difficult, and to add to that my wife and I have 2 young boys.

I think the hardest ongoing struggle is the tension between selling future work and building the current work. If I could do it over again, I would start by building a website and a marketing strategy before quitting my full-time employer.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
For every project I build, I try to make it the coolest thing I have ever made. We build custom metalwork, primarily for residential remodel space. Our creative direction leans toward the modern edge of design. We build a lot of handrails, which is fun because it often highlights the backbone of most interior spaces, which is the stairway. It’s like jewelry for your home.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid is why I started my business. For me, and most people in my age group it wasn’t a big deal to catch and recover from it, so it was frustrating to lose income and ultimately job security. On the other hand, I know that is not the case for everyone. My father-in-law for example had a very scary battle with the virus.

I think that there is a balance between safety and productivity that we as a community could have balanced better, and I intend to make that a priority for my work. I want the people who work with me to feel safe and secure in their workplace because I know how it feels to lose work at no fault of your own. I don’t think anyone deserves that.

Contact Info:

• Website: blacktinedesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacktinedesign/