Blaine County Beacon: Performing with Passion
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Being a business owner can be extremely rewarding. Having the courage to take a risk and start a venture is part of the American dream. A business owner experiences multiple advantages: not answering to a boss, not getting fired, and more importantly, having the freedom to make the decisions that are crucial to business success.
However, those rewards come with risks. For example, a business owner is wholly dependent on him or herself to pay the bills. Any salary, benefits, and insurance are based on what the business can generate. That often means no weekends off, no sick days, no ever being "done."
Such a reality might lead one to ask, who would want that kind of pressure and risk? In 2020, Daniel Kleinjan answered the call to independent business ownership, lured by the ability to set his own schedule and not having to adhere to a certain standard.
"Although I work twice as much now as I ever did, I can put in the time to give a project a little more than what the customer asked for. That's what gives me the greatest satisfaction-when customers say a product turned out better than they envisioned or has features they didn't even know they wanted. My favorite projects are those the customer loves the most."
Kleinjan came to his current situation as owner of Highline Custom Metal through a series of uncertain but orchestrated steps. Upon graduation from Chinook High School in 2010, he attended WyoTech in Laramie, Wyoming. After nine months at WyoTech, Kleinjan earned certification in Automotive Technology and Diesel.
From 2011-2015, Kleinjan put his education to work at Triple T Sales in Chinook, where he primarily performed bale bed/flatbed installs, trailer and equipment repairs, and vehicle maintenance.
Another delay occurred because of military service. Kleinjan served with the 82nd Airborne in the Army from late 2015-2020. In 2017, he did a nine month tour to Iraq during Inherent Resolve.
Upon returning to Chinook in April, Kleinjan was determined to start his own business and dove into creating Highline Custom Metal. He describes his operation as "a small shop dedicated to providing a truly custom, high quality product with a 100% guarantee."
He added: "I work personally with you to design and create exactly what you need that will look great, be functional, and last forever. I pride myself on quality, attention to detail, and going that extra mile to put out a great product. Along with metal fabrication, I provide engine building and vehicle performance services, vehicle and equipment maintenance and repair, and can make custom parts for your own projects."
Working with steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, Kleinjan does CNC plasma cutting, metal art and machine parts fabrication, MIG and TIG welding, as well as brazing and tube bending. Although he prefers custom fabrication over repair work because of the ability to create and design something new, he doesn't turn away from the idea of repairs.
To his veteran-owned and operated business, Kleinjan brings more than ten years of experience with engine building and vehicle performance. "I might work twice as much, but I keep going day-in and day-out because I believe in what I am doing with all of my heart. With my own business, I have the freedom to choose what I work on, and I can put a bit of myself into the work."
So, despite the high financial risk, running his own business gives Kleinjan the opportunity to make more money than if he were employed by someone else. "I benefit from my own hard work."
Kleinjan did confess to the challenge that paperwork provides. "Keeping records and knowing where all the money is going-whether for taxes or other expenses-isn't one of my strengths. But as a business owner, you have to be involved in all aspects of your business."
As far as sharing advice to other potential entrepreneurs, Kleinjan states: "If you have a passion, jump in feet first; don't be afraid."
For Kleinjan, that jump has provided both creative freedom and personal satisfaction. He's working in a field that he sincerely enjoys, putting his skills and knowledge to use while deriving fulfillment from implementing his ideas, working directly with customers, and watching his business grow.
Kleinjan also expressed pleasure at the ease with which people in the area embraced his entrepreneurship. "I was surprised by the community support from here and from Havre, as well," he said.
Highline Custom Metal has created eye-catching signage for local businesses, such as the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home and Birch Ag Insurance; designed awards for the Chinook Volunteer Fire Department's Coyote Hunt; and performed technically challenging fabrication projects. "I am more proud of that fabrication than the flashy pieces I've done, but they probably aren't as exciting to look at for the people who don't understand the process," Kleinjan explained.
On those rare occasions when he has the chance for leisure, Kleinjan takes pleasure in travelling, snowboarding, riding his dirt bike, and taking his German Shepard cross-Gemma-for walks. He has owned Gemma, a PAWS rescue dog, for nine years and considers her a good companion.
