Bryce Hollingsworth, Dry-Stone Waller

Bryce Hollingsworth has built a successful masonry business by transforming his passion for stonework into a career through extensive training and real-world experience, specializing in dry-stone walling—the technique of constructing stone walls without mortar. Early in his career, while working as a laborer for a landscaper, Bryce discovered his aptitude and interest in outdoor trades. This initial exposure allowed him to explore various tasks, quickly identifying his preference for stonework. Consequently, he pursued roles with specialized landscaping companies, first leading a crew that focused on stonework and later joining a company exclusively dedicated to stone installations. This period solidified his conviction that working with stone was his true calling. Driven to enhance his skills, Bryce enrolled in certification courses at The Stone Trust in Vermont. Seeking further mastery, he traveled to Australia to apprentice with Geoff Duggan, a renowned master craftsman. This apprenticeship proved to be a pivotal experience, as it provided him with critical, real-time feedback that he previously lacked due to often working alone. Bryce credits this training with helping him refine his techniques, eliminate inefficient practices, and reinforce fundamental skills, leading to a significant improvement in his walling proficiency. Following his training in Australia, Bryce continued his education at the Dry Stone Conservancy in Kentucky. The subsequent year, he embarked on another hands-on training journey to Ireland. This trip expanded his expertise by teaching him to work with diverse stone types and various construction styles, further broadening his capabilities in dry-stone masonry. With this comprehensive international and domestic training under his belt, Bryce felt prepared to establish his own company, Stone Bear Mason, LLC. During the initial phase of his business, work consistency was a challenge. To mitigate this, Bryce frequently subcontracted with other wallers and masons, demonstrating a willingness to travel extensively to gain varied practical experience. He emphasizes that working with different professionals provided exponential growth in his skills, as each collaboration introduced new perspectives and techniques that differed from his own established methods. While Bryce's business is now thriving and keeps him fully engaged, he remains open to traveling for specific projects that offer unique opportunities for learning and application of his specialized craft, reflecting his ongoing commitment to skill development and passion for dry-stone walling. #DryStoneWalling #Masonry #Stonework #Craftsmanship #CareerDevelopment #SkillBuilding #Entrepreneurship #KeepCraftAlive #HomeImprovement #DryStoneWalling #Masonry #Stonework #Craftsmanship #CareerDevelopment #SkillBuilding #Entrepreneurship #KeepCraftAlive #HomeImprovement