Grady and Nikki O’Gorman continue Stoney End Music’s legacy of craftsmanship with an ambition that drives them forward
Grady O’Gorman spent years driving past a nondescript barn in Red Wing, Minnesota. He didn’t know it then, but he and his wife, Nikki, would later buy the business inside: Stoney End Music, a family-owned maker of traditional folk lever harps.
“We’re both really passionate about showing (our daughter) what it means to really chase your dreams in life,” said Nikki, who added that Grady had been looking at businesses to purchase for a while. “There’s this older generation that has been retiring and looking for someone to leave their businesses and legacies to, and I remember this one came up specifically. Grady just stopped at his computer and was like, ‘No way.’”
Originally founded by the Stone family 25 years ago, Stoney End has earned a global reputation for its handcrafted harps. The name reflects the Stones’ last name and the dead-end street they lived on at the time.
Honoring a legacy while building a future
Over time, Stoney End became more than a workshop. The O’Gormans said it became a community gathering place, a trusted resource for musicians and a pillar of the local arts scene.
Today, that legacy continues under Grady and Nikki’s ownership. New parents and first-time business owners, the couple stepped into ownership with deep respect for what came before and an ambition to build something lasting for their own family.
However, like many small business owners, Grady and Nikki quickly discovered that both passion and a reliable banking partner are needed to run a business. So, the couple turned to U.S. Bank to help manage their banking needs.
“U.S. Bank has been excellent during this process for us,” Nikki said. “It was really important to find something streamlined and approachable while we were taking on so many other things.”
The O’Gormans said that setting up their business accounts was quick and straightforward.
As their needs evolved, they were introduced to merchant services and point-of-sale tools by Venus Yismaw. The U.S. Bank small business banking specialist connected them with products and services provided by Elavon by U.S. Bank – a payment processing and merchant services subsidiary of the bank. These products helped them manage inventory, accept payments and keep the business running smoothly both in person and online, they said.
“Stoney End has complex needs as they partner with overseas companies to sell their custom harps in the United Kingdom and elsewhere,” Yismaw said. “Being able to help them through the process of embracing their growth potential through products and services provided by the bank and Elavon to meet their needs is a privilege as they build on a foundation started 25 years for their growing family.”
For Grady and Nikki, ambition doesn’t mean rapid expansion or chasing trends. It means making thoughtful choices, honoring a legacy and steadily building a future they believe in.
“Ambition is really about the small decisions you make consistently,” Grady said. “Those choices add up – it's about the little things we bring to the table to make it better, to make ourselves better, to make the community better.”
Watch the video above to learn more about Stoney End.
Small Business, Big Ambition ™
Grady and Nikki O’Gorman are featured in Elavon’s Small Business, Big Ambition™ initiative, a contest designed to support small business owners and provide essential resources, financial products and community support. Winners also receive a monetary prize to invest in their business.
“Having the opportunity to uplift and spotlight small businesses from across the country as they pursue growth that truly matters to them is incredibly rewarding,” said Gus Fernandez, a vice president of marketing for Elavon who focuses on building strong connections between businesses and their clients. “Small business ownership comes with real challenges, and our goal is to equip entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to succeed and keep moving forward.”
The 2026 Small Business, Big Ambition™ contest kicked off in January of this year. Visit My Big Ambition for rules and additional information.
Disclosures
Equal Housing Lender