How did Awl Snap come to be? Was it a planned business endeavor?
Awl Snap was not technically planned. I actually was given a box of scrap leather from a friend, and after not finding any bags that I loved, I decided to make myself one. That first finished bag turned out awesome and I was super proud of it -honestly- more proud than any other accomplishment in my life. I remember the feeling: it’s like something just clicked and I knew I was finally headed in the creative direction I wanted to go in. It took 25 years (and probably 10 potential career paths) for me to land at this point, but I was really excited. From there, I had a lot of folks telling me they liked my design and would buy one, so I decided to make a small inventory and put it all up on an ETSY shop website. When the orders started to trickle in, I was excited.
Did you start it out all by yourself?
Yup, it was just me doing every aspect of the businesses from 2009 up until this past fall. I not only made all the designs and products, but also talked to all the customers, ordered supplies, marketed my business, and even handled the dreaded accounting and taxes!
Is this your only “job”?
Yes, and I’m very happy to finally be able to say that! Since I was 16 I’ve worked more than one job at a time, but as of 2013 Awl Snap is my full time job. It feels so good to finally only have TWO email inboxes on my phone!
Have you always been a maker?
Absolutely. When I was 5 I made my mom a briefcase out of posterboard. I doubt it could even hold much more than a piece of paper and a pencil because it was made from paper itself, but a little girl can dream, right? I don’t think I ever stopped making things. I made some of my own clothes in highschool, made some furniture out of scrap wood for my first apartment … I was always thinking of things to make from other peoples life scraps.
What types of products do you make?
Right now I make leather accessories- bags, wallets, clutches, etc. I’d love to one day soon add a home goods line of sorts which still incorporates leather… but that’s No.45 on the To Do list right now. Followed by No.46 – become a cobbler and make leather shoes.
What types of materials do you use to make your products?
I have about 4 different suppliers from which I get my leather across the US. I also use canvas which I source from a family-owned textile in New Jersey. I’m also really excited to say I’m looking into sourcing locally raise animal hides! The idea of having this full-circle, totally transparent product really makes me excited.
What is your favorite product to make and why?
I think my favorite product to make would be my HotShot Weekender Bag. It’s my favorite because it’s just so darn pretty and practical. It takes many hours to make- in fact longer than any of my other designs- but in the end, it’s just so rewarding in all it’s glory and practicality.
How has your dream for Awl Snap transformed since you have started?
Oh man, it has transformed in ways I never imagined! When I started I had so much doubt about it ever being a fulltime job for me. For the first 4 years Awl Snap was just a part time gig which I tended to on nights and weekends after my full-time day job in marketing. But as I moved up in my daytime job, I started to realize just how much I did not want a marketing job. Haha. I knew my heart and hands meant to making things, and that I needed to make the transition and grow my own business. So what started as a part time gig in my dining room sewing leather on a crappy home sewing machine, has now turned into a legitimate business with a few awesome part-time assistants, an awesome studio space downtown Richmond, and even a real accountant who helps me do my taxes!!
Do you find this rewarding? Why?
More rewarding than anything I’ve ever done. Being a business owner and a Maker is very hard work. It’s time consuming, it’s never-ending, and it’s just ruling sometimes. But just as much as you have those long hard days, you’re rewarded with the biggest feeling of accomplishment and time well spent. I used to find myself constantly counting down the hours in the day until I could leave my day job and live my life, and now, I’m working my butt off but my heart is very full.
Explain your beliefs of quality versus quantity.
When I think of quality, I not only think of the product’s craftsmanship, but also “quality” as in life value. We all know that this planet is a land of consumption and we’re all engrained with it. We buy things because they are neat or cool, we throw out tons of packaging, we buy new clothes every season… it never ends. And as I’ve gotten older, and gone through so many home “purging” sessions with car-loads of stuff headed to the Goodwill, I’ve realized how much more important it is to focus. Pay attention to what I purchase and ask myself why and how. Why do I need it, and how will it fill a void in my life? Of course I slip up (thanks TARGET, ugh.), but in general I try to follow this practice. And this absolutely translates into my business. With every new Awl Snap design, I keep those two things in mind: How will the new product benefit someone’s life, and why.
