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Stephen Morse Gets Start in Mentor's First Metalworking Shop at BDC


By Morgan Capps

A
few commanding knocks on the door of Suite 124B in the Business Development Center are necessary to break through the grinding buzz of machinery inside.

Stephen Morse probably won’t shake hands, but not because he isn’t friendly. Throwing up his dirty hands in explanation, Morse will greet you with a warm smile instead of taking a chance on smudging you with steel grease.

Morse Metalworks, LLC, the metal working business he founded in 2007, specializes in custom ornamental and architectural metal design.

Morse moved into the BDC in January after spending a year working from the garage of his home on metal work projects for ornamental customers from his day job at Ben Parker Co. Inc. The success and distinction of Morse’s business lies in his approach to metal working.

“You may have noticed the sign on my door says ‘Artisan Craftsman,’ not ‘Metal Work Technician,’” Morse points out. “Customers bring me an idea and I help them see the idea come to metal. I focus on the design aspect of metal working as much as the technical aspect.”

An attention to detail and eye for aesthetic design have landed Morse creative jobs. He is working on new stainless steel barrier to protect the fictional inhabitants of Fairyland Caverns at Rock City on Lookout Mountain. Meanwhile on Signal Mountain, Morse supplied the futuristic hand rails for the “Spaceship” house.

While the majority of his projects are railings, canopies for buildings, archways and furniture, Morse assisted fellow BDC entrepreneur, Mike Alley, in the construction of Get Builts playground for adults, including a huge, monkey bar set, sized for people whose last growth spurt is well behind them.

Morse Metals acquired the first layers of black glaze on its concrete floors from Ben Parker, who labored in Suite 124B while starting up his business.

Parker was a successful BDC alumnus when Morse moved his family here to follow his dream of starting a new church, Christ Church of Chattanooga. To support his family of 12, Morse took a job at Ben Parker Co. Inspired by Parker, whose company was a Chamber Small Business of Year finalist in 2007,

Morse jumped at the opportunity to work independently on projects for clients turned away because of the decorative nature of their projects. Recognizing Morse’s potential, Parker encouraged his protege to apply for a space in the same building that gave him his start.

Both Parker and Morse were delighted that the one-time apprentice would now, as a business owner, occupy Parker’s old space. The sense of legacy grew stronger as Morse bought three pieces of equipment that Parker had used to launch his business at the BDC.

“Though the biggest benefit of working out of the BDC has been the affordable cost of rent for a large space in a great location, I have really benefitted from the networking opportunities the BDC has to offer,” Morse says. “I receive a good amount of business from the community in the BDC -- I’ve met friends, business partners, and clients here. My gratitude to the BDC and the opportunities that have come from their services is deeply rooted.”

For more information about Morse Metals call 423.463.6552.

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