My Story

It’s been a long, weird road that led me to start Iron River Studio. And while I’m incredibly grateful to be following my passion, this is not where I thought I’d be when I started my professional career in 1996.

As a software engineer in 1996, I worked on a lot of Y2K conversion issues (for those born after a certain date…this is when the world thought every computer would stop working on January 1, 2000) and large-scale consulting engagements with some of the biggest companies in the world. As my career progressed, I rose in the ranks and somehow found myself managing the organization. This led to earning my MBA at one of the best business schools in the world (Go Nova!!), which led to consulting for more companies, which then led to my running another organization. I was well on my way as a senior corporate executive. Go me!

But then something happened after the last organization I was managing was sold. I found myself searching for something. I'm not sure if it was because of the pandemic, I had grown tired of the constant demands of business life, or I was having a full-blown mid-life crisis, but I was looking for something that would fulfill me creatively but still be challenging. So I thought…“I’ll make furniture! That sounds fun.” Because that’s what you when never made furniture before. Ever!

Knowing that I had a lot to learn, I began reaching out to experts in the woodworking world. And to my complete surprise, they were open to helping me. I traveled all the way across the country to spend a couple of days with Cam Anderson at Blacktail Studio (one of the best, if not the best, in his craft) for a private workshop. I took woodworking classes, watched countless hours of Youtube videos, and picked the brain of everyone sawmill owner I could find about the different species of wood. Slowly, but surely, I was able to hone my skills and began to create beautiful works of my own. Words cannot express how grateful I am to everyone that I’ve had the honor to work with. Hopefully one day I’ll have the chance to pay it forward.

So here I am. Frank Rivello, Furniture Maker. Starting a new journey. My only hope is that you enjoy what I create along the way as much as I enjoy creating them.