Pivot, Prosper, & Persevere

In this episode we talk about lessons we’ve learned at vendor shows and markets. It is a different experience at a show depending on what perspective you approach it from. We’ve been shoppers, vendors, and now have been on the production end. Those experiences are all different but they all tie together. After being in those different roles, it gives you more perspective and a deeper appreciation...

In this episode we talk about lessons we’ve learned at vendor shows and markets. It is a different experience at a show depending on what perspective you approach it from. We’ve been shoppers, vendors, and now have been on the production end. Those experiences are all different but they all tie together. After being in those different roles, it gives you more perspective and a deeper appreciation...

It’s easy to get so focused on the next big goal in your business that you forget to enjoy the process of building it. Whether the goal is more sales, more products, more profit, or more growth, the goalpost usually moves as soon as you reach it. In this episode I talk about why business owners need to give themselves credit for the work, habits, and skills that create momentum along the way. Inst...

In this episode, I’m talking about how to promote your products in a way that makes people want to buy without feeling like you’re constantly selling. Using an example from a one-on-one coaching call about dog collars and leashes, we’ll look at how answering real customer questions, giving helpful advice, and showing your expertise can naturally lead people toward the products you offer.

In this episode, I sit down with Drew Gulick, president and CEO of Hermann Oak Leather, to talk about what makes great leather truly great. As the fifth-generation owner of one of the most respected tanneries in the industry, Drew gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the quality, care, and tanning process that have made Hermann Oak a trusted name among leather crafters for generations. But this co...

In this episode, I’m talking about why beginner leather crafters often get discouraged and how managing expectations can make a big difference. We’ll look at skill growth, project quality, business results, and social media comparisons, along with practical ways to keep practicing, build confidence, and stack small wins over time. If you’re serious about wanting to move leather craft from a hobby...

In this episode, Marti and I sit down to talk through five lessons we’ve learned the hard way while running a family business. We share an honest look at what it takes to build a business together, from learning that just because we can do everything doesn’t mean we should, to understanding the real cost of chasing every new idea. We also talk about communication, protecting family time, building...

In this solo episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, we’re diving into one of the biggest excuses that holds entrepreneurs back: “I just don’t have enough time.” The truth is, we all get the same 24 hours—it’s not about finding more time, it’s about making better decisions with the time we already have. If you’ve been waiting for the “right season” to start your business, grow your skills, or ta...

It’s not the desire to start a business that gets the job done. The willingness to take a chance and the resilience to push forward when it’s hard is what actually leads to success. Scott set out a goal to start a leather business and has followed through. He decided on a product line, refined his skills, and took it to the marketplace.  In this episode we talk about taking calculated risk, unders...

 Most people think success in leathercraft comes down to talent—but that belief is exactly what holds them back. In this episode, we break down the real path to growth: skill stacking. From learning the fundamentals of tooling to building pricing, marketing, and production skills, success isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about doing the right things in the right order.  If you’re serious...

What does it really take to run a business? In this episode, we sit down with a second-generation business owner who grew up in the trenches, stepped away, and came back to take the reins. We talk about the reality behind the “freedom” of ownership, why discipline matters more than flexibility, and what it looks like to lead a team without losing respect. From pushing through hard days to taking c...

Most beginner leathercrafters think branding starts with a logo—but that’s not what actually drives sales. In this episode, I break down why your brand is really your reputation, whether you’ve been intentional about it or not, and how it’s already shaping the way customers see your work. We’ll walk through four key questions—what you make, who you make it for, what problem it solves, and how you...

If you’re not consistently reviewing your pricing, your craft business could be losing money without you even realizing it. In this episode, I sit down with a professional machinist from the metal fabrication industry to break down how rising costs, overlooked expenses, and emotional decision-making can slowly destroy your margins. We talk through both the technical side of pricing your work corre...

Does it feel like it’s hard to stand out and sell in a crowded market? In this episode, I break down why low barrier of entry products create crowded markets and what you can do to stand out. Whether it’s focusing on one product, leveling up your skills, or adding capabilities others don’t have, I’ll show you simple ways to separate yourself and start selling more.

If you’re trying to grow your leathercraft business and feel like you’re spinning your wheels, this episode is for you. One of the biggest mistakes beginner leathercrafters make is trying to build everything—wallets, belts, bags, custom orders—without ever developing or focusing on one product line. In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I break down why doing less is actually the faste...

If you’re trying to figure out how to go full-time in your leathercraft business, you might be focusing on the wrong thing. Most makers believe they need to increase their income first—but in this episode, we break down why taking control of your personal finances and lowering your expenses can actually get you there faster. We talk through how to evaluate your budget, identify what you really nee...

If your leathercraft business isn’t getting sales, the problem might not be your product—it’s your marketing. In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I break down the biggest mistake beginner leather crafters make when using social media and why treating your page like a billboard is costing you customers. Instead, I’ll show you how to approach your content like a storefront—inviting peo...

What happens when you stop being “just a number” at a company and decide to bet on yourself? In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere , I sit down with an entrepreneur who walked away from the security of a traditional job and took a gamble on buying a business. Without even looking at the numbers, he focused on the opportunity he saw and the vision he had for what the business could becom...

In this episode of the Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere Podcast , we explore how a side hustle can become the perfect retirement career. Today’s guest spent years serving as a firefighter while quietly building a taxidermy business on the side. By focusing on quality work, creating demand, and building a reputation over time, he was able to transition seamlessly from a full-time W-2 career into runni...

If you run a handmade business and feel stuck trying to grow, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere , I break down the biggest marketing advantage most crafters, leatherworkers, and makers are completely overlooking. If you build your products by hand — leather goods, silverwork, crochet, woodworking, or any craft — you already have powerful content and con...

In this episode, Joe Meling sits down with Don Gonzales to talk about what it really takes to build a successful leathercraft business — starting with apprenticeship and ending with marketing that actually works. Too many makers focus only on improving their skills. Skill matters. But skill alone doesn’t build a business. Don shares how learning through apprenticeship can fast-track your growth as...

What happens when you bet on yourself — with zero experience and zero contacts? In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere , I sit down with Steven Van Plew to talk about what it really looks like to enter a brand-new industry with nothing but belief, work ethic, and the willingness to outwork the competition. Steven shares how he: • Broke into an industry with no network • Built his reputat...

You don’t need all the skills before you start - you need the courage to take the first step. This entrepreneur stepped far outside his comfort zone and built businesses he had no formal training to run. Through determination, adaptability, and grit, he found success, learned the skills along the way, and ultimately redefined what freedom and fulfillment look like for him.  This conversation is fo...

Many people fear treating their hobby as a business because they don’t want to lose the joy they had in it to start. A business is what you create it to be and it can’t steal your joy unless you let it. Being intentional, learning to set boundaries, and having a clear vision can allow you to protect your joy. 

Many people stay stuck where they’re at due to a fear of failure. Failure is a perception and a decision. Making a pivot on your career is not a failure when done in the right way. There is a lot of your past or current career that will actually carry you forward into the future stronger.