Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
I believe everyone should have a hobby, you know, something you like to do aside from your occupation that's enjoyable and relaxing. What could be better, right? Well, what if your hobby was profitable? What if you could make money from your favorite pastime? It would be a dream, wouldn't it? Well, for a company in Orem called "Profitable Hobbies," that dream is a reality.
The story begins back in the late '70s. with Dr. Lou Jensen, a dentist who had been in practice for several years. While in school, Dr. Jensen had developed tremendous dexterity with the dental drill. He was so skilled in fact he could drill away the shell of an egg without breaking the membrane.
One Easter, his family held an Easter egg decorating contest. For fun, Dr. Jensen thought he would try replicating the elaborate pattern of a Russian "pisanki" egg using his dental drill. To his surprise and that of everyone else, he did and needless to say, he won the contest. But more important, Dr. Jensen discovered a new hobby, and soon he was spending any free moment carving eggshells.
He began selling the eggs in the Park City Arts Festival and demonstrating this skill at art shows across the country. But the dental drill he used was no longer practical. He needed a custom-made tool, something portable and small enough to hold with one hand. He contacted several manufacturers to see if they were interested and with luck, finally found someone who could produce the tool. By 1983, Dr. Jensen had the tools, the skills and the desire to pursue his hobby full time. What's more, people loved his work and with all that in mind, he left dentistry for good.
Since then, Dr. Jensen has moved to other media. He now carves and engraves wood, crystal, glass, metal, ceramics and stone. His work adorns the homes of several celebrities and U.S. Presidents. But that's not the end of the story. Dr. Jensen has made it possible for others to learn how they, too, can have a profitable hobby, and tomorrow I'll tell you how.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
