6 Leather Business Success Stories [2024]
Leather goods are timeless and always in demand. Starting a leather business involves crafting products like wallets, bags, belts, and footwear from high-quality leather.
You’ll need to source premium hides, acquire tools for cutting and sewing, and master techniques to produce durable and stylish items. Leathercrafting requires patience and precision, but the satisfaction of creating something others will cherish is unmatched.
Consider setting up an online store to reach a broad audience, and tap into platforms like Etsy for handmade goods. Focus on marketing through social media, showcasing the craftsmanship and uniqueness of your creations to attract buyers.
A leather business demands dedication and skill, but the potential for building a brand known for quality and style makes it an appealing venture for aspiring entrepreneurs.
In this list, you'll find real-world leather business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a leather business that makes money.
1. Popov Leather ($2.4M/year)
Ryan Popoff, the founder of Popov Leather, started the business as a hobby after graduating from art school. He made a wallet that he was proud of, listed it on Etsy, and to his surprise, someone bought it. From there, sales continued to increase and after two years of working a day job, Ryan was able to quit and focus on Popov Leather full time. Now, 6 years later, the business has grown to employ 10 people full time and has generated over $850,000 in revenue in 2018.
How much money it makes: $2.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $200
How many people on the team: 21
Popov Leather is a Canadian company that makes and sells small leather goods online, with 2018 generating over $850k in revenue and doubling in revenue year-over-year since 2013 through direct-to-consumer sales, primarily for wallets, and backed by great customer service.
2. American Bench Craft ($1.2M/year)
Jason and his brother Chris came up with the idea for American Bench Craft after Jason's wallet fell apart and he envisioned a seamless leather wallet using rivets instead of stitching. They launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2014, sold $20K worth of products in 30 days, and have since grown the business into a seven-figure company with over 100 products. They plan to double their revenue in the next year and build a custom workshop with fun amenities for their employees.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How many people on the team: 8
American Bench Craft, a Veteran-owned leather goods manufacturer, shares their success story, with an annual revenue of over $1 million, due to their unique designs, sustainable sourcing, and reliable American craftsmanship, as well as their use of Klaviyo and local PR for marketing, and their focus on direct-to-consumer sales and corporate gifts.
3. Galen Leather ($480K/year)
Zeynep and Yusuf, the founders of Galen Leather, came up with the idea for their business after Zeynep was diagnosed with cancer and lost her ability to speak, forcing her to find a new way to work. They started selling locally produced leather goods and vintage kilims online, and eventually started designing and handcrafting their own line of leather products. The business has experienced impressive growth, with a 138% increase in revenue and an average of $40,000 in sales each month.
How much money it makes: $480K/year
How many people on the team: 4
Galen Leather, an Istanbul-based e-commerce store specializing in handmade leather goods, experienced a 138% increase in revenue to hit an average of around $40,000 in sales each month, with products like their Moleskine Cover helping the company achieve success.
4. The Populess Company ($132K/year)
Brad Gadd came up with the idea for The Populess Co. during a high school project with friends who wanted to deliver their art and philosophy through apparel. The concept behind the name "Populess" was a spin-off of the word "Popular," emphasizing the importance of being authentic and true to oneself. Brad learned everything as he went, from running a small business to doing leather work, and his passion for working with leather eventually became the main focus of his business. The company has been growing at a sustainable rate of 25% in revenue each year and recently launched its first flagship store.
How much money it makes: $132K/year
How many people on the team: 0
The Populess Co. is a small, organically growing handmade leather goods and apparel company that has been increasing revenue by about 25% year after year, recently launching their first flagship store and aiming to focus on growing their online presence and wholesale partnerships across Canada while offering leather manufacturing for other companies.
5. Jamie Clawson ($48K/year)
Jamie Clawson, founder of Jamie Clawson, came up with the idea for their leather products business after losing their job and learning to use a laser cutter through a friend. They started by making premium leather iPhone skins and expanded their product line as sales grew. Now, they design and manufacture their products in New York City, using a hybrid of old-fashioned techniques and cutting-edge technology.
How much money it makes: $48K/year
How many people on the team: 1
A designer founded a leather manufacturing business which started as a one-person operation, costs were kept low by making products to order and the most cost-effective way of attracting and retaining new customers was through email and newsletters.
6. JAQET ($12K/year)
Jacques Flynn, a car designer, wanted to create something he had 100% control over and satisfy his creative needs. Inspired by fashion and frustrated with the lack of slim, well-made wallets on the market, he decided to start JAQET. With a clear vision and dedication to handcrafted quality, he learned the necessary skills, designed his products, and launched an online store that garnered attention from fashion and design blogs, leading to rapid growth.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How many people on the team: 2
Jacques Flynn founded the leather goods company, JAQET, with $500, producing meticulously handcrafted wallets and card holders which are now sold in boutiques globally, with Shopify as the platform.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
