Staying Sharp: How Dean Shroka Forged Severed Metal Works with ZenBusiness

Similar to every small business, a knife’s blade has its own unique story, character, and purpose. And no one knows that better than Dean Shroka, an Alabama-based, full-time dad who spends his days working in a gun vault in the firearm industry. Balancing a demanding full-time career alongside his craft, Dean is the founder of Severed Metal Works — or as Dean describes himself: ‘a custom handmade knifemaker that happens to be an amputee.’ 

Dean’s journey into becoming a self-proclaimed “Yankee knife maker” is rooted in a lifelong fascination with survivalist techniques, weaponry, and a desire to create something entirely from his own imagination. But turning that passion into a stable enterprise while balancing a full-time job, family life, and household responsibilities is no small feat. Juggling a packed schedule like that leaves very little room for administrative headaches, which is where having the right resources to manage the business side of things makes all the difference. 

The good news for Dean? He found a way to bring calm to the chaos with ZenBusiness. Here’s how he turned a knifemaking side hustle into a registered LLC — without slowing down the craft.

Finding His Spark

Before Dean decided to start an LLC, his job relocated his family over 800 miles, from Northern Virginia to Alabama.  While Dean’s wife initially focused on her responsibilities as a stay-at-home mom, she decided to lean into her artistic background and pick up baking.  Focusing on cupcakes and eventually expanding into detailed wedding cakes, she grew a thriving Facebook business page. Eventually, she opened her own café, which was not only a milestone of success but also a pivotal turning point in Dean’s own entrepreneurial journey. As he watched his wife turn a creative passion into a legitimate business, it inspired Dean to take his own craft seriously and build something for himself.

Forging the Craft

That spark didn’t come out of nowhere. Growing up in Northern Virginia with a creek in his backyard, Dean’s fascination with making things started early, and he spent his childhood crafting survival spears out of sticks and rocks. That early instinct naturally evolved into a passion for knifemaking. While he initially practiced blacksmithing, he ultimately shifted to “stock removal,” — the process of grinding the shape of a knife from a piece of steel rather than hammering it. This process minimizes micro-fractures in the metal and also accommodates Dean’s physical needs as an amputee. 

Specializing in small, everyday carry knives, each manufactured knife is given a unique serial number and his signature logo. Dean uses high-carbon and stainless steels, alongside a military-tested epoxy finish known as “gun coat,” to create custom color combinations. He mentioned that he’s also transitioning to MagnaCut steel, a high-quality material that requires a specific process involving heat treatment, quenching at room temperature, and exposure to liquid nitrogen at -300 degrees Fahrenheit. Moving to this in-demand luxury steel represents a major step forward for his craft, requiring advanced heat treating and intricate metalwork to ensure every handmade piece delivers top-tier durability and performance. 

Perfecting that intricate craftsmanship is a huge milestone, but the ultimate test was how the market would respond. Teaming up with platforms like Lone Star Knife and Supply to sell online, Dean watched his smaller knives consistently sell out in under 10 minutes, with larger pieces moving in under 24 hours. As he introduced vibrant colors and gun coats, his social media engagement skyrocketed. That was the moment he looked at the numbers and realized his craft was officially starting to compete with his full-time job.

Clearing the Noise: LLC for a Craft Business

Without formal business training, Dean knew he needed trusted support to form and manage his LLC. While he was ready to jump in right away, it was also essential to him to be responsible. Enter: ZenBusiness. 

“I use ZenBusiness for managing my LLC, and it covers the entire business side of my knife making. I had no knowledge of what an LLC was before I started, and ZenBusiness really helps break down all the important government and state paperwork for people who don’t have a background in business. Taking those first steps to build an LLC helps protect your business and shows you the baby steps of making it legitimate.”

With ZenBusiness, Dean was able to file his LLC, track his income and expenses, and manage all the necessary paperwork with confidence. By breaking down complex requirements into clear, manageable steps, ZenBusiness helped remove the administrative friction for Severed Metal Works, freeing up Dean to focus less on the ‘not fun’ stuff and more on his craft.

“I use ZenBusiness for managing my LLC — from filing it originally to doing taxes and tracking my money in and out. It covers the entirety of the actual business side of my knife making. Taking those first steps to build an LLC helps protect your business and shows you the baby steps of making it legitimate. I had no knowledge of what an LLC was before I started, and ZenBusiness really helps break down all the important government and state paperwork for people who don’t have a background in business.”

Never a Dull Moment: What’s Next for Severed Metal Works?

Dean’s ultimate goal is to transition Severed Metal Works into a full-time career. As business grows, he’s preparing for major milestones, including attending his first big knife show this September in Orlando, and upgrading his materials.

Dean’s advice for aspiring small business owners is simple: test your demand first, build an audience, and then secure your business structure. “Start with social media first — dipping your toes in. See what you can do and put yourself out there. And when the passion starts turning into momentum, then set up the LLC.”

Tempered with Purpose

Dean’s upcoming milestones are just one part of the story. For him, Severed Metal Works wouldn’t be what it is today without the love and support of his family. Coming from a home full of inspiration himself, Dean takes immense pride in being a positive role model for his five-year-old daughter. Depending on the day, his daughter wants to ‘make knives like dad’ or ‘bake like mom’, but regardless of which hobby she pursues, Dean is most excited that she gets to see her parents living out their passions.

Dean’s business is a testament to his passion and creativity, as much as it is a reflection of his own identity and body. The Severed Metal Works logo — a skeleton missing a leg — is an intentional visual reflection of Dean’s experience as an amputee. Having navigated those unique challenges, Dean is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing strongly that hands-on creation can provide powerful personal stability and purpose for those struggling with anxiety or depression. “If you are struggling, find somebody to talk to and speak with a doctor, but also work on yourself and find out what actually brings you happiness and do that.” 

Like the steel he shapes in the workshop, Dean’s journey is a powerful reminder that the heat and pressure of life doesn’t have to break us – it can shape us into something even stronger and more resilient.

Bring Clarity to Your Journey

Ready to bring clarity to your LLC formation? Let ZenBusiness handle the paperwork, so you can focus on what you do best: bringing your passion to life.