Hello, my name is Erik. Here is the story about me and how I got to where I am today with Artisan IT Services, LLC.

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Ever since I was a kid, I was filled with curiosity about almost everything. I loved to tinker and understand how things worked. My parents were constantly getting on me for taking things apart. When our family got its first personal computer, I was fascinated. A distant cousin, Brad, who helped us with anything electronic, became a huge influence. We didn’t have much, but I loved experimenting on that computer—often frustrating my parents in the process. Brad and I had long conversations about technology, and I learned a lot from him at an early age.

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That curiosity grew into me fixing school computers for teachers as early as sixth grade. I kept helping friends and family with tech issues and eventually studied Computer Networking at my local career tech center in my junior and senior years of high school. After that, I landed an internship at my home school, Memorial High School, where I got the opportunity to completely rebuild the school's network—an incredible hands-on experience.

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I pursued an Associate's degree in Computer Networking and Security from Vincennes University. During breaks, I continued working at Memorial, and I picked up project and tech leadership work at Rivet and Flaget schools in Vincennes. These experiences added valuable skills. After graduation, I worked full-time across all three schools for a year, then moved on to two tech companies where I experienced exponential growth in knowledge and hands-on experience.

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Then came the pandemic. Isolated at home in 2020, I found myself mentally drained and disillusioned with IT. I craved hands-on, people-oriented work. I tried pivoting: attempting to join local electricians union, working as a tech for a CATV contractor, mold remediation, basement waterproofing, foundation repair, and handyman work. But soon after I started the handyman job, my former boss—the IT Director at Memorial—called to offer me his job as he prepared to retire. I initially declined.

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But the opportunity stuck with me. Eventually, I returned to Memorial and spent the next three years overhauling the entire tech infrastructure—replacing many systems I had installed at the beginning of my career. I operated as a one-man department, leading large-scale projects, managing systems, supporting users, and making strategic decisions. Over time, as the demands grew, we began outsourcing some responsibilities to a K-12 MSP. Eventually, that firm took over fully as I prepared to leave.

Despite the great work, I found myself increasingly unsettled. Finances, health, and a lack of fulfillment began weighing on me. I started to explore entrepreneurship, even launching a vending machine business with a friend—but it didn’t ignite any passion. That’s when I realized: if I were to build something, it had to be grounded in what I truly loved

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One night, while praying in the chapel at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, I asked God for direction. During that visit, I was reading about St. Joseph, Jesus' foster father, and was struck by how he always did what he had to do to take care of Jesus and Mary no matter the cost. He worked with his hands to care for Jesus and Mary. That night, a phrase came to me: "Don't waste these desires I have given you." That was the moment I committed to building something meaningful.

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The name "Artisan" honors St. Joseph, who was not just a carpenter but a true craftsman—an artisan. It also reflects the way I approach IT: hands-on, intentional, and with craft. Whether at a keyboard or working with equipment, I strive to cultivate technology solutions that uplift people and the organizations they serve.

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I left Memorial at the end of 2024. By the grace of God, I was able to sustain my family financially during the transition. I focused on my health and started putting our long-neglected home back in order. I shut down the vending machine company and began laying the foundation for Artisan IT Services.

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I started this company out of a deep passion for serving others through my time and talent. The values we lead with reflect who I am and what I want this business to be. At the time of writing, I’m still a one-man team—but not for long. I look forward to building a team and discovering what the future holds for Artisan IT Services and the clients we are privileged to serve.