Ad Astra Piercing Co. opened its doors in February of 2019. Co-owned by Brett Pfanenstiel and Erik Grover, both proud members of the Association of Professional Piercers. Together they have over 30 years of piercing experience, and a drive to perform the safest piercings utilizing the most up to date techniques.

Brett Pfanenstiel

Brett was born and raised in Leoti, Kansas. He began his apprenticeship at The Elektrik Chair in Wichita, Kansas. He enjoyed five years of piercing at Sore Loser in Hays, Kansas before returning to the Elektrik Chair in 2014. Shortly after he welcomed his daughter into this world and enjoyed four more years in Wichita. In 2019, he had the amazing opportunity to relocate to beautiful Lawrence, Kansas! Alongside his best friend Erik Grover, they opened AAPCO.

Erik Grover

While attending college for a Bachelor’s of Science in Health and Human Performance, Erik began his piercing journey working as a counter person at Fantasy Graphics in Hays, Kansas. After two short years, he started his Body Piercing Apprenticeship at Elektrik Chair in Wichita, Kansas. Shortly after becoming fully licensed with the Kansas Board of Cosmetology in 2007, he went back to Fantasy Graphics. In 2007-2008 he helped open Sore Loser Tattoo in Hays, Kansas and eventually made his way back to Elektrik Chair. He is always trying to further his knowledge and expertise with body piercing. Erik has attended the annual Association of Professional Piercers (APP) conferences since 2012 and various other educational workshops, such as the Fakir Intensives workshop in San Francisco, 2012. Since 2015, he has been dabbling in goldsmithing to help make more unique, custom pieces for his clients.