Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Self.
Hi Larry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I graduated from Carroll County Career and Technology Center top of my class for Welding in 1998. I worked for a few local welding companies before enlisting in the Army in 2003. I Served in the Army 3rd ID for 8 years with 3 tours in Iraq. I am a Honorably discharged 100% disabled Veteran. Upon returning home I taught myself CAD design and how to run a CNC table while working at a local welding company. I started doing side work and found I had a passion for fabricating and creating metal signs and art. As my customer base grew through word of mouth, my side business became more of a full time job. In 2020 during the height of COVID, my custom firepits became extremely popular locally in MD and I have shipped several out of state as far away as California. In 2021 I made the decision to officially start my own business and do that full time, creating Battleborn Creations LLC. Besides my popular custom signs and firepits, I also fabricate custom handrails, stairs, and gates. I’ve been able to use my fabrication skills and creativity on many different projects over the last 5 years; 2 projects I am currently working on- restoring a historic train caboose for the Western MD Railroad Museum in Union Bridge and restoring the suspension bridge in Wesminster at Roops Mill that is over 100 years old. I have also worked with several locations of The Green Turtle, Ledo Pizza Corporate designing signs across the East Coast, as far away as their Florida locations. I have recently started doing commercial truck and equipment repair as well.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Returning home from the Army, I struggled with integrating back in to civilian society where life was not structured, and not everyone working cohesively as a team to complete the job/mission. Starting my own business was a way to create that environment but owning your own business comes with its own set of challenges. Never running a business before, I had a lot of learning over the first year and still continue to learn and overcome challenges today like most business owners.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have the ability to take people’s ideas of what they want and make them in to a reality using metal. Battleborn Creations was voted 2026 Carroll Magazines Readers Choice for Best Welder.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My ability to problem solve to find a way to make ideas come to life even when they seem impossible.
Pricing:
- Work is all Custom pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: Battleborncreations@yahoo.com
- Facebook: @Battleborn13
