Leather Objections Impact?

[Braca]

So I'm super new to all this. As in I am just starting to think about getting into leatherworking or leathersmithing or whatever you want to call it. I'm a college student that is having a hard time finding a decent job. As a result I've been trying to come up with a simple business making things with little overheard that I could do out of a smallish apartment. Making leather goods seems to meet this and appeals to me.

When I mentioned that I was thinking about starting a leather goods business to my dad he said his first reaction is that I would be stepping into something that is a political hot potato. He thought that there was an increasing aversion to the use of animal products that might have a negative effect on the longevity of such a business. The increasing popularity of veganism does seem to lend to this idea, but there also seems to be just as strong of a group that will continue to use animal products.

I've done some looking on this forum and can't find anyone talking about the business side of the anti-animal products groups. I have seen some postings about slaughter free hides and anti-vegan talk, but nothing talking about how it is affecting business. So, over the last five or ten years or so, has there been a marked decrease in the demand for genuine leather goods that is attributable to this aversion to animal products? I am not looking for opinions on whether we should or should not be using animal products or why you don't like/agree with vegans. I am asking purely about the business side of things. Have any of the small business owners on here had trouble finding customers or have lost customers because people don't want to use animal products? Is there still a large enough market out there for new people wanting to get into this market?

Thanks for the help, and again I'm new so if this is in the wrong place I apologize.

[dirtclod]

I've been doing leather work full time for 30 years and never have had anybody say they wouldn't buy something because it's leather.

[shtoink]

Not having any experience with the business aspect, I'll toss some ideas out for you on your other question about getting started.

If you have any kind of reservations about getting into leather stuff based on some political aspect, then you could just make sure you are recycling materials for your items to sell. Cannibalizing old couches, chairs, or clothing for your source of leather can also add to the appeal, depending on your prospective buyers. I have seen booths with recycled leather goods in open air markets more than a few times and they seem to do pretty well. They'd have all sorts of bracelets, necklaces, key chain fobs, wallets, pouches, and many other things that were made from recycled stuff. Depending on where you shop, you could get items that have gone on sale or are deeply discounted to keep the costs down.

Hopefully this is helpful for you.

[GlenH]

It's kind of hard to answer this. I've only been doing leather crafting for 4 years, and I go to the occasional craft fair and sell items here and there. My gut feeling is that people who are "vegans" won't be my customers anyway, so when they don't buy something because I'm using animal products, I'm not losing business.

I think the popularity of leather goods has probably died down some from when my dad did leather crafting in the '70s, but not beause of animal rights people. It's more of a style issue I think. But I think leather crafting is on the rise again. Springfield Leather just expanded, and Tandy seems to be doing ok. There are a lot of vendors out there that cater to the leather crafter, and it seems like there are new ones every day.

Glen

[DavidL]

Do not be afraid to lose customers that are not in your target market. Either market to vegans using vegan-friendly alternatives or stick to leather specifically. So many things are made from leather and the more people are in favour of the use of leather than not. Your statement is almost like saying if you were a butcher to just close shop (The meat eating pop. is roughly over 70% and that goes for vegan leather as well) . There is a market for handmade niche leather goods, but it is also highly saturated. Creating a brand name, loyalty, good service/product and a good marketing plan is what makes your company successful. Good luck.

[Bob Blea]

I wouldn't be concerned with losing customers due to anti-animal product feelings. The real challenge you will face will be establishing yourself in the marketplace. As with any new business, you will struggle at first to achieve recognition in the market and find buyers for your product. As DavidL said, there is a lot of competition out there already, from the craft show level up to the Internet and even major retailers, depending on your product. Your biggest challenge will be getting attention in that crowd.

[TexasJack]

No matter what you do in life, somebody will not like it. You can't live your life worrying about everyone else's opinion or lifestyle.

Leatherwork is an honorable profession that dates back to the beginning of civilization. It is a way of utilizing more of the parts of an animal that was being killed for some purpose anyway. Who would say it's better to throw away the hide and make synthetic material from oil? Would that same person object to a carpenter because he's using dead tree parts? (Honestly, there probably ARE people messed up enough to say that.)

There have been some companies offering leather from animals that died from some means other than for their meat. (e.g, old age) Personally, I think that's silly, but if it makes some customer happy, well then do what ya gotta do.

Be a good person, be honest, treat people with respect, and ignore those who object to any part of that behavior.

[needles]

^^ welll said ^^ couldn't agree more.....

if anyone has problem with it, they can make their own stuff out of plastic bin bags.....

[veedub3]

Be a good person, be honest, treat people with respect, and ignore those who object to any part of that behavior.

Awesome advice!

Karina

[Braca]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not worried about what people think of me. I'm more worried about finding customers. I didn't really think people's objections to leather would be a big deal, but it seemed like something I needed to look into. It seems like getting people to buy from me and not other people is going to be this biggest hurdle, and something I haven't figured out yet. I'm thinking completely hand-stitched pieces with completely American sourced materials and hardware, but I'm not sure I will be able to charge enough to justify the materials and labor. Just have a lot of looking to do. Thanks again.

[LTC]

I'm thinking completely hand-stitched pieces with completely American sourced materials and hardware

that's what i do right now. all 100% USA materials, hardware, and hand-stitched by a disabled veteran. i believe it's important to support our own resources here instead of supporting some third-world country that probably doesn't like us much anyway.

Edited March 26, 2014 by LTC

[DavidL]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not worried about what people think of me. I'm more worried about finding customers. I didn't really think people's objections to leather would be a big deal, but it seemed like something I needed to look into. It seems like getting people to buy from me and not other people is going to be this biggest hurdle, and something I haven't figured out yet. I'm thinking completely hand-stitched pieces with completely American sourced materials and hardware, but I'm not sure I will be able to charge enough to justify the materials and labor. Just have a lot of looking to do. Thanks again.

A simple card case can cost 5-7 dollars for thread/rivets, glue, and leather. Selling a card case for $20- 25 will get $15+ for 20 mins of work.

[needles]

It seems like getting people to buy from me and not other people is going to be this biggest hurdle, and something I haven't figured out yet. I'm thinking completely hand-stitched pieces with completely American sourced materials and hardware, but I'm not sure I will be able to charge enough to justify the materials and labor. Just have a lot of looking to do. Thanks again.

due to a strong competitive market, finding an angle will help enormously, using all local materials is step in the right direction,

but then you still could do more, not excluding the ability to produce quality products that the market wants to buy.... for instance,

a person over here went around every furniture manufacturer they could find and scrounged as much of their off cuts as they could get, all free instead of going to landfill.

she then made slippers from them and sold them as recycled leather slippers and has done very well..... not saying this is what you should do and make, but its an angle, if you find one it certainly helps.. just my humble opinion....

[Braca]

Thanks DavidL and needles. I'll keep that in mind.