Jeff Musgrave shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jeff, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity! I can teach you what to do, I can motivate you to have energy toward a project. But integrity is something I can not give you, that comes from with in.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re an Antler Lighting and Furniture design firm in Colorado. Our American made products are handcrafted, using naturally shed antlers from whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and fallow deer. Bespoke Antler Chandeliers, Furniture and Mirrors by Jeff Musgrave and his crew of skilled artists feature quality construction and creative, original designs. Custom orders are welcomed.
Jeff Musgrave has been designing, crafting, and building antler art since 1995. After 7 years of practice and growth, in 2003 Jen & Jeff decided start the Peak Antler Company. Jen took on the role of family and raising the children as well as Bookkeeping, Social media, and Community Event Involvement for the company. As the company grew, they were able to build a small shop in his backyard and hire two additional employees. The company continued to grow with its reach, making it around the world with their antler masterpieces. After nearly 3 decades of work, Jeff has become a premier expert in his field, and there’s no place he’d rather be than the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Jeff takes pride in the attention to detail each piece is given, no matter what the project, and lives for the challenge of exacting requests. He couldn’t do any of it without the loving support and involvement of his wife Jen.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
2 weeks before my 18th birthday (3 months before I graduated high school) My father had a massive fatal heart attack and passed away at age 42. My father had been my coach, my mentor, the family leader and provider, Losing him was a major shock to my life. It made me grow up very quickly. I was now the man of the house and had to move forward and concur the world on my own. My resolve from that experience was “life is short, make the best of it”. I have never had any fear of much of anything after that. I have traveled the world, started my own business, raised a family, and much much more. Losing my father, set me on a path of fearlessness. Whats the worst that could happen, maybe I die? I had already confronted those fears in my life, so now there is nothing left to hold me back. My father was a very positive influence in my life and losing him hurt a lot, but also losing him pushed me into the really world and made me who I am today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Give up, NO! Pivot, change direction, refocus, reallocate, etc….. Yes, all the time. Death is the only “give up” I acknowledge. Anything short of death, in my book, is to assess ones situation and chart a new direction. There is not such thing as failure. If my business closes its doors tomorrow, that is not a failure, as it has been successful for 22 years, It has provided for my family, it has employed many people that I still call friends, it has been a positive influence in my community. There is nothing about it that would ever make it a failure. But if tomorrow, it was time to change direction, that is not giving up, that is simply redirecting into a new path. The journey has many bends in the road.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I have no shame. I am the same person speaking on stage as I am at home, or in my work shop with my employees. We debate, discuss, and disagree regularly, with no hard feelings. I believe in free speech and open discussion of ideas. I have politically Red & Blue people working for me. We also have a legal asylum seeking immigrant that works for us. Our conversations through out the day can go many directions and are usually very interesting. They all know the real me and have for years. I hold nothing back.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
He cared! He was real! He was genuine!
From my children to my employees to my customers. I just want them to know I care and I am doing my best to fulfill their dreams and ideas. Life is not about money or stuff. It is about relationships. I have tried to be a positive influence and servant to everyone i meet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peakantlers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakantlers/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peakantlerco/
- Twitter: https://x.com/PeakAntlerCo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peakantlerco
Image Credits
Marcie Runnells
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