Pivot, Prosper, & Persevere

Surviving The First Year of Business

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, understanding your customer, and being willing to fail & adjust. If you are looking to survive your first year in business and want a healthy dose of inspiration, then this episode is for you.

Success Isn’t Talent—It’s Skill Stacking

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 about growing your business and want help stacking the right skills, check out my workshop, Craft a Strong Business here: https://twentythreeplus.com/pages/craft-a-strong-business [https://twentythreeplus.com/pages/craft-a-strong-business]

The Reality of Owning a Business: Discipline Over Freedom

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 calculated risks and honoring the legacy you’ve been given, this conversation takes a look at what it actually takes to build something that lasts.

Your Brand Is More Important Than Your Logo

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 serve your customers—that will give you clarity and direction so your brand starts working for you instead of against you.  If you’re serious about building a leathercraft business that actually grows, not just making products, I want to invite you to my online workshop, Craft a Strong Business—check it out here:  https://twentythreeplus.com/pages/craft-a-strong-business [https://twentythreeplus.com/pages/craft-a-strong-business]

The Pricing Mistake That’s Quietly Killing Your Craft Business

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 correctly and the mindset shift required to confidently raise your prices. Whether you’re just starting your craft business or you’ve been at it for years, this episode will help you protect your profits and build a business that actually lasts.