My father ran a bodywork shop where I learned everything about painting and my grandfather worked in a blacksmith shop. I make all the frame parts myself. Nobody around Slovakia does it. It's too laborious and time-consuming, but I like to make functional bikes that bring joy to every owner.

I was fascinated by newly manufactured bikes I saw in Dublin in 2008. I am qualified in metalworking and welding, I started in the family business but focused on something different. The decisive moment was the increasing demand for my work: there are many people seeking bespoke bicycles.

It hasn't been a bed of roses. It has improved during the last ten years but I am an outlier, there would be more opportunities abroad. But I want to show what is under the paint. My frames look "metal" because I'm not hiding any poor quality under the base. What you see is what you get.

My first frame had many flaws because I did not have the right tools. I started selling bicycles but made no money on them: they were desperate times. I am self-critical enough to be aware of my weaknesses so I can improve. To set up a workshop was expensive but I trusted the process and my fan base gave me hope to continue.