There are seismic shifts afoot in the pen community. A new generation of ambitious artisans with industry-defying business models is challenging the preconceptions of what pens are, what they do, and who makes them. Michael Kahwajy-Hyland, founder and lead designer of Richmond, Virginia's Turning Point Pen Company, is part of that tectonic movement.
“I'm somebody who started with very average beginnings, but I feel called to do big things in this life,” the 29-year-old says. “I don't know what they are yet—the picture is still forming—but that gut feeling is a big driver for me.
Kahwajy-Hyland brings a unique perspective to pen making. Ethnically, his roots are German and Irish from his father's side, Lebanese from his mother's side. At James Madison University, he studied communication and Arabic language and culture while playing Division 1 soccer. He is a professional Lebanese Dabke folk dancer. He has built marketing programs for businesses like the Virginia Lottery and has a burgeoning consulting/speaking business on his concept of building a dream life and attraction messaging in business, which involves curating the words one uses in business activities to show understanding and create a genuine connection with customers and collaborators.
Kahwajy-Hyland is outspoken and proud, self-assured and message-driven, but he describes himself as a cripplingly shy child until one day, a switch just flipped.
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Denne historien er fra February 2022-utgaven av PEN WORLD.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)
On August 24, 2024, calligrapher Ward Dunham passed away.
The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot
Do you like black pens? If so, you are probably already familiar with the fun, frivolity, and fellowship associated with the Black Pen Society (BPS).
Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show
Daisy and Neil Ni's twist on the traditional pen show is about community, not commerce.
"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)
The Italian pen company's experiment in modernism led to a revolution in late 20th century pen design. A two-part series.
GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit
With new collections inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and Fender guitars, artisan John Greco is tapping into cultural trends.
Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "
The Taschenbegleiter hand-made planner system from German artisan cooperative Roterfaden features a modular organizational system that grows with the user's ambitions.
S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne
The French atelier continues its forays into popular culture with a new, officially licensed Game of Thrones collection.
More Mail, More Dip-Less
The six-part series on dip-less (or one-dip) fountain pens garnered some major attention through its run from October 2023 through August 2024 (Vol. 36 No. 6 Vol. 37 No. 5).
David Oscarson: A Reflection
The artisan pen maker celebrates 25 years of luxury writing instruments with a new collection that harkens to his Art Nouveau roots.
The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen
The Jotter was advertised as Parker's first ballpoint pen, but a novelty item that played on the Hopalong Cassidy culture craze predated it.
