Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Moran.
Hi Nathan , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Nathan Moran, a native of Lake Wales, FL, discovered his passion for ice sculpting while studying at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando, Florida, in 2003. During his internship at The Naples Yacht Club, he trained under the guidance of a Certified Master Ice Carver, gaining the experience needed to pursue a career in ice sculpting.
Shortly after graduation, Nathan relocated to Charlotte, NC, where he began working for Ice Sensations. This role allowed him to refine his sculpting skills and learn more about the business. Unfortunately, the recession of 2007 impacted the business severely, leading to Nathan’s departure.
After taking some time to regroup and focus on his family, Nathan launched Ice By PreMo in 2010 from his garage, with support from his wife, Ana Moran, and her parents, Jaime and Marcela Preciado. Within six months, the business was thriving, enabling Nathan to leave his part-time job and devote all his time and energy to networking, growth, and expansion.
In 2017, Nathan seized the opportunity to acquire a competing ice sculpture business, Artisan Ice Sculptures (formerly Ice Sensations), which is the name the company is known by today. Now based in Concord, NC, Artisan Ice supplies the entire Southeastern United States with stunning ice creations and crystal-clear cocktail ice.
Nathan and his team employ a mix of hand-carving tools and CNC machinery to create almost anything imaginable in ice, from small tabletop centerpieces to 10-foot-long seafood displays. One thing that has remained consistent since Nathan started the business in 2010 is his commitment to delivering exceptional products for customers’ special events and celebrations.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a small business owner is anything but easy, and the road has definitely not always been smooth. Over the years, we have faced our share of challenges, including recessions, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Each one brought uncertainty and forced us to adapt, make difficult decisions, and find new ways to keep moving forward.
Through it all, we have remained resilient and have continued to grow while staying profitable every year. Every season brings its own challenges, from changing customer needs to the everyday pressures of running a small business. One of the biggest reasons we have been able to keep going is having a strong, dependable team. You can accomplish a lot as an individual, but having the right people around you helps share the burden and makes even the toughest seasons more manageable.
Looking back, the challenges have made us stronger. They have taught us how to adapt, work smarter, and appreciate the people and customers who have supported Artisan Ice Sculptures along the way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner of Artisan Ice Sculptures, LLC, a premier ice sculpting company based in Concord, North Carolina. For more than 20 years, I have specialized in transforming ice into unforgettable experiences, from elegant custom cocktail ice and intricate sculptures to large-scale ice displays for weddings, corporate events, sporting events, celebrations, and special occasions throughout the Carolinas and Southeast.
What I am most proud of is building a business that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and hard work into something truly unique. Every project starts with someone’s vision, and I take great pride in finding a way to bring that vision to life in ice. Whether it is a small, meaningful celebration or a grand event, I believe every customer deserves the same attention to detail and commitment to quality.
What sets Artisan Ice apart is experience, creativity, and the ability to do far more than simply carve ice. We understand the full process, from producing high-quality ice and custom cocktail cubes to designing, fabricating, carving, delivering, and installing memorable displays. We are known for dependable service, exceptional craftsmanship, and creating pieces that people remember long after the ice has melted.
At the end of the day, I am most proud that after more than two decades, I still get excited about creating something new. Ice may be temporary, but the memories we help create are meant to last.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I see the event and ice industry becoming even more focused on creating unique, personalized experiences. People are looking for ways to make their events stand out, whether that means custom cocktail ice with logos or designs, interactive ice displays, or completely personalized sculptures that become part of the entertainment and atmosphere.
I also believe technology will play a bigger role in our industry. Advances in CNC technology, design software, and production equipment will allow companies like ours to create more detailed and customized pieces while improving efficiency. At the same time, I think there will always be a place for traditional craftsmanship. Technology can help us work smarter, but the creativity, artistic eye, and hands-on skill behind a sculpture are still what make each piece special.
Another big shift will likely be the growing demand for premium cocktail experiences. High-quality clear ice has become an important part of the craft cocktail world, and I expect that trend to continue as restaurants, hotels, bars, and consumers place more value on presentation and quality.
For Artisan Ice Sculptures, I see the future as an opportunity to continue evolving while staying true to what has made us successful: creativity, quality, dependable service, and the ability to turn someone’s idea into something unforgettable. The industry will continue to change, but there will always be a demand for experiences that make people stop, look, and say, “That’s incredible.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artisanicesculptures.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artisanicesculptures/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtisanICE
