Rising Stars: Meet Ihsan Tunceren of Nashville Farmers’ Market

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ihsan Tunceren.

Hi Ihsan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I retired from my job as a sourcing and logistics manager in Turkey in 2013 (mandatory retirement at age after 50) and then had a few different (Vice GM shipping company and Plant Manager of water bottling plant) positions after that.

While visiting my brother, who lives in Florida, in 2016, I reconnected with my former (American) girlfriend from 27 years prior, we fell in love again, and we got married in 2017! I moved to the States to be with her. The thought of getting another job in logistics seemed completely unappealing to me, so my brother helped me learn his business.

He is self-employed and makes jewelry and other artwork using a laser engraver. I immediately took to it and started my own business, Lasercraft, in 2018. I have been working at the Nashville Farmer’s Market since then.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Since I was familiar with American culture and I got help from my wonderful wife, the road was smooth.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The name of my business is Lasercraft, which basically sums up what I do with my creativity: unique, colorful, handmade crafts, such as wooden earrings and necklaces, Nashville-themed souvenirs like magnets, coasters, keychains, and small guitars, all done on a laser engraver.

I also do personalized signage for local businesses. If someone gives me a high-quality electronic photo, I can engrave that on wood or leather, thereby creating a personalized memory for my customers. I love my work, and I especially love to see people who are satisfied with my work.

This brings me a lot of happiness.

We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking?
The biggest risk I ever took was in my personal life, and this led to an unexpected and fortuitous result in my business life.

At the age of 55, I left my home country of Turkey as a retired man, and I came to the United States to marry a woman who had been my girlfriend 28 years prior. I decided to start my own business in order to have something to do, and the business has grown well beyond my initial expectations.

My wonderful wife has helped me every step of the way and has made my transition as smooth as can be expected. It was a big risk, to be sure, but I only take calculated risks. That was a guiding principle for all the years I worked in Turkey.

Pricing:

• Earrings/necklaces $10 or 3 for $25
• Magnets $7
• Pop sockets $10
• Nashville shields $40
• The wooden iPhone case covers $25

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lasercraft66.myshopify.com
• Instagram: @lasercraft66
• Facebook: @lasercraft66