Where is the money in leatherwork?

[Lthrz]

On 9/26/2011 at 10:00 PM, belliott said:

A friend of mine has a very successful saddle business. He employs his brother and has a few guys that drift in and work part time as well. He builds custom saddles. The majority of saddles that leave his shop are award or trophy saddles for rodeos,barrell racing and roping competitions. His brother builds 3 of the troghy saddles a week. The owner works on the custom saddles when he is not answering the phone, ordering materials, dealing with sales reps or dealing with crazy customers.

I think there will always be a market for what I call "cowboy art" products. Saddles,purses,walletts,chaps,rope bags and etc. I always believe this is the most competitive market along with the biker industry. I am working on my own niche as we speak. I'm not ready to reveal what it is and you will see why in a moment.

I think purses and boots are a good market. I think alot of crafts-folk over produce their goods. I say build a purse and make it a perfect 1 of a kind or maybe a run of 10. Try to build a product that can be appreciated for what it is, a piece of art. I believe in this age of the internet, where you can learn anything in forums or Youtube, items get copied. If you start producing a popular line of purses at craft shows or for ebay, within a month someone will be producing your design or using your marketing ideas.

I say keep production runs small and build your name. Produce an item and move on to the next design, keep innovating and building quality products. Stay out of debt, be frugal and the money will come.

Your advice is the best, several of your conclusions I had already assumed, that are now confirmed.

Thanks!

[NVLeatherWorx]

18 minutes ago, Lthrz said:

Your advice is the best, several of your conclusions I had already assumed, that are now confirmed.

Thanks!

Very wise words here indeed but the poster of these words has only made this one comment since they joined this community and hasn't visited this community since 2013; not what I would consider to be a source for quality information or support.  We get out of our business what we put into it; if we don't invest ourselves then we will not see a return.  There are several of us who make a set line of items and have done so for quite some time and found success with them.  The trick is to learn what does work and replace what doesn't with a new (limited initial quantity) item until you fill out your line to where you want it.  I have found that those who are constantly trying to provide limited runs on items that sell through at a steady pace end up closing up shop because their satisfied customers recommend new ones who want the same thing only to find that it is no longer available so they go elsewhere.  Leather is not a "make it and they will buy it" type of operation, it has to be accepted in design, quality, and price by the consumer or else it is just another wallet (or whatever it is that you are making).  Uniqueness doesn't come from constantly changing what you make, it comes from how well you design what you make and how original it is.  Being copied is actually a sign of success so when you see it happening you just have to change your product listing information to reflect that yours is the original and that those copies out there are not to the same standards or craftsmanship as what you make (and, for the most part, it would be very true).  

Be unique by being original but don't spend too much time on trying to create new designs just to stay fresh; it will take up all of your time that should be spent on making your products.

[Fire88]

Lots of good info in here, many thanks to those who have given their experiences.

[Orangeleather]

Really interesting and knowledgeable thread, identifying so many different areas and narrowing the focus (I've disipline) certainly appears a significant key factor.

I'm fortunate enough to have direct MOD & equestrian contacts (family and professional level) although that's only one aspect I have in my favour, which I aim to use and exploit where applicable.

my primary focus is a combination* of the following:

small woolen decorative accessories 

small leather goods, the list is endless but the discipline has not been fully set.

laser engraving.

* partner does hand made wool brooches  (poppies etc)

a lot to think and consider.