Custom Holsters For Oc/cc Carry

[Deliveryboi]

Hello everybody!

So some of you may have seen the holster I posted in the Critique My Work thread. After having made that one, I fixed all the mistakes in my pattern and build and have since made a better, even more comfortable design.

Now I'm fortunate enough to live in Idaho, USA, where U.S. citizens are legally able to carry a weapon in plain view thanks to the great U.S. Constitution and its 2nd Amendment, or concealed given they have their Concealed Weapons Permit.

Idaho being one of the best states in the nation in regards to actually honoring the U.S. Constitution, nearly anybody without a criminal record or psychological disorder can pack a firearm. In fact, to give a bit better view for you. I go to a "cowboy church", its not a "cowboys only" but its where you'll find most of the ranch hands and western lifestyle folks. Nearly everybody in my chuch packs at least one firearm, I say again, at LEAST one . Even the women, and even the elderly women hah!.

Needless to say I feel very fortunate to live in such a state. Now given that I am developing an ever growing love for leatherwork, as my father's been a leatherman for years, and owns his own Custom Boot and Boot repair shop, I figure its time to find my place in the trade.

I sincerely enjoy making these holsters. My hope is that I can build 5 star quality holsters, that are both comfortable, and good to look at. A person could spend nearly $200 on factory built name brand holsters, and be just fine. But I figure I can't be the only person on the planet that would enjoy a custom hand made holster fit to meet my personality and comfort standards, for half the price!

Now that I've done my rambling, I'll get to the point of this thread. A friend of the church owns a gunshop about 30 miles from here, and said that tho he usually doesn't do consignment deals due to lack of room in the shop, he'd be glad to help me out. So I've got an outlet to display and sell my holsters. I could REALLY use some advice and instruction regarding business in this area.

My father usually charges about 10% for consignments out his shop. I've been looking around, and plain holsters look to sell for about $85-100. Given that I tool *border* each harness and holster, I'd like to know what you guys might charge extra for tooling? So that I can know what to charge per plain/tooled rig.

I could also use advice on advertising and marketing. I'd like to keep it to word of mouth as much as possible, no school better than oldschool I figure it. I'm an avid facebook user, so I'll likely set up a business page that people can visit for photos and product information.

I guess I'll leave it at that. Ya'll have probably either lost interest of fallen asleep by the end of this message hah so I'll let it be at this. Again I truly apprecaite all kind advice and comments, your support really helps encourage me.

At very last, the reason I've chosen to persue this new trade, is that I've been unemployed for nearly 3 years now, doing only odd jobs here and there to get by. I see this as a way that I can do something that I love, and provide citizens of the state I love with a product they can sincerly enjoy.

God Bless.

Deliveryboi aka. Db

[Deliveryboi]

I should note that today was my first official day selling my holsters and already I've sold two. =)

[Sixer]

Facebook it man! It's a great starting point and will increase your exposure.

Good Luck!

[Deliveryboi]

Facebook it man! It's a great starting point and will increase your exposure.

Good Luck!

Thanks Sixer, I've actually already started a facebook page. You can search "Dj's Leatherworks/Emmett Boot and Leather" if you wanna check it out ^_^.

[Horrrk]

You may have found your niche, Deliveryboi.!! It seems that you're among the right folk to appreciate where you're going with your leatherwork, too..

Sorry I can't help with your pricing question, but I do think you're right to go with word of mouth and Facebook as well nowadays..

Oh and I'd be sure to have a makers mark somewhere on your products..

Well done with the two sold already, by the way..

Regards

Phil

Edited September 28, 2012 by Horrrk

[Deliveryboi]

You may have found your niche, Deliveryboi.!! It seems that you're among the right folk to appreciate where you're going with your leatherwork, too..

Sorry I can't help with your pricing question, but I do think you're right to go with word of mouth and Facebook as well nowadays..

Oh and I'd be sure to have a makers mark somewhere on your products..

Well done with the two sold already, by the way..

Regards

Phil

Thanks man I appreciate the encouragment. Since I decided to sell holsters I've sold two, whom one of the owners actually wants to buy MORE to sell down in Arizona >_< so that's pretty cool, I'm sure i'll make 2-3 more for him. My local firearms activist group *second amendment supporter group* has a couple members who want to have holsters made as well. So it seems you're right, I might have found my place in this world after all haha.

By the way, nice motorcycle 0_o *drooling*

[St8LineGunsmith]

Deliveryboi

My Hats off to you for exercising your constitutional 2A right to arm ourselves against a tyranical government and other ravening wolves who may try to steal kill and destroy our loved ones, property or way of life whether or not your holster business becomes a booming success.

Which I hope it is a successful venture for you!

[Sir Titus]

My prices for tooling holsters is $20 for a basket weave. $40 for a Floral or Oak leaves and accorns. $.25 per letter or number. $20 an hour for custom patterns. and $40 for it to be lined All of these prices are ontop of the basic holster charge. I figure all of my rates off if a $20 per hour rate for tooling or repair. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck.

[St8LineGunsmith]

Good information to know Sir Titus