The River City takes pride in many things, perhaps most of all, the many unique local businesses that grace its streets. One such business, Turning Point Pen Co. just opened shop this past month. I sat down with the founder, Michael Hyland recently, to discuss his passion.
At a beautiful debut event held last month, I started our interview by asking where this all started. Mr. Hyland took a shop class in seventh-grade at Chickahominy Middle School in Hanover County. It was there that he first experienced woodworking and the art of using a lathe. It was that class that he would make his first pens.
“That class stood out to me," Hyland said. "I found a passion for this."
Feeling inspired by that class, Mr. Hyland finetuned his skills using a lathe, taught himself new techniques and designs and began making pens. Now, he is turning (pun intended) what was once a hobby into a full-fledged business.
That business, Turning Point Pen Co. offers custom designed fountain, rollerball and ballpoint pens. At the debut event, I was able to see several examples of Mr. Hyland's work. Among the items displayed were five already-made pen collections.
The corner-office collection and the ceremonial collection, a special wedding set, are just some of what is offered by Turning Point. Any of his pieces will make a perfect gift, even if it's a gift for you!
You won't have to drive far for that gift shopping, Mr. Hyland does not have a brick & mortar yet, with the focus for now being on the website www.tppenco.com.
Most of what visitors will find in store are rollerballs and fountain pens made of acrylic resin. Several though are made of wood, (his personal favorite) and for those hoping for more, Mr. Hyland told me he plans to add more wood pens to his collection.
Prices in the pen collections range from about $145 for a ballpoint to $274 for a classic art deco fountain pen featuring black titanium. Fountain pens have a special place in Mr. Hyland's heart.
The first fountain pen he made was in 2015 for a fellow graduate of Hyland's alma mater, JMU. She wanted one that her parents were giving to her as a gift.
“That experience was a driving factor for me to start a business,” Hyland said.
He moved back to the Richmond about a year after graduating from JMU to dedicate time to his business. He ultimately set up the beginnings of Turning Point in his parents’ basement.
He called the business Turning Point because, for each turning point in life, a pen can be a forever reminder of that special moment. For weddings, anniversaries, or really any milestone, Mr. Hyland wants to help mark the occasion.
