Meet Mark Longenecker & Brandon Moore
How did your business get started?
My business partner, Brandon, and I met in college and had a mutual interest in small business, coming out of backgrounds where our parents both started businesses of their own. We spent time working after college and had formative experiences in manufacturing and marketing. In 2018 we both quit our jobs with the plan to start a business together. After spending 2 months on a roadtrip to Alaska where we talked through ideas we were excited about, trends we observed and, challenges that seemed to be arising, we set out to start a premium cast iron cookware business.
The Background: I grew up with 100+ year old cast iron, handed down in my family for generations. It was smooth and lightweight compared to most cast iron made in recent decades which is mostly heavy and rough. We observed a major return to cast iron cookware beginning in the 2010’s, in part because people became more concerned about health and potential toxins they could be consuming as well as an expansion of interest in cooking as a result of social media (youtube, intagram etc). Cast Iron is one of most traditional forms of cookware and has stood the test of time.
The resulting interest in cast iron gave us the opportunity to start Lancaster Cast Iron, offering a lighter, smoother cast iron skillet – something that anyone could use and enjoy.
Why Lancaster County?
I’m originally a Lancasterian, but there was never a doubt that we would start the business here in Lancaster. There is a strong base of knowledge here in small scale manufacturing, machining, and more. Along with that, running our business requires partners in marketing, packaging, equipment, repairs, production, and R&D. In Lancaster, we have access to small and large businesses alike that have been crucial to our growth.
What makes your business unique?
When we set out, we wanted to make the best cast iron cookware available. Accolades from Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, and others have helped to set us apart in the marketplace. We strive to make the best products and offer the best customer service. The result is empowering our employees to advocate for the customer in all areas of the business, from the manufacturing and fulfillment teams, to of course, customer service itself.
What has been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned as a small business owner?
I think it’s important to not be afraid of doing something the “wrong way”. Through the years, Brandon and I have learned a tremendous amount by diving into new ideas or processes without the typical expertise you might think is required. Among the many examples, over the years, we’ve had to make multiple iterations of tooling for our cast iron, including 3 different attempts for our No. 4 skillet alone. We’re currently on our 3rd iteration of our No. 8 skillet pachaging design.
All of these changes resulted from us learning how to improve our process or product. With years of experience, some of these could have been avoided, and we have learned to lean on more experienced people as time has gone by. However, I would argue that learning the wrong way to do something can sometimes be more beneficial than simply being told the “correct” way.
What does success look like for your business?
Brandon and I come from backgrounds that place a high value on sustainability and stewardship, and we share concerns about consumerism and the idea that everything is disposable. With Lancaster Cast Iron, we want to make useful, thoughtfully designed products that people can enjoy for a lifetime and pass on to the next generation. Before we even started the business, many people told us it was a bad business idea simply because we weren’t planning to make products that needed consistent replacement. Most consumer products are made by companies where planned obsolescence is part of the business model.
For me, success also means building a strong team here in the USA—creating stable jobs where people can develop skills, support their families, and know that their work matters.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting their own business?
Don’t be afraid to make the leap. It will be scary; it will push you to the limit of what you think you can endure. I had no idea that starting a business would be as stressful and also as rewarding as it has been.
Also, going into business with a partner is a decision that I would not recommend taking lightly. Brandon and I spent 2 months nonstop together driving to and from Alaska to ensure we still liked each other after spending nearly endless amounts of time together. Our partnership has proven to be a strength and has endured many challenges. A bad partner combination would have certainly hindered our success.
What’s next for your business?
Along with expanding our cast iron and wooden utensil lines, we are working on several other product lines, including metal utensils. Our first metal spatula will be released in October with more to come. This winter, we hope to release several new lids, along with a new 3.5 qt Braiser.
Learn More
Visit their website to learn more about Lancaster Cast Iron. Read more about Lancaster’s small business community in our latest publication, Small Business Success— A resource magazine for small business owners and entreprenuers throughout Lancaster County!
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