Today we’d like to introduce you to Odin Clack.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Accidentally fell into the world of leather craft while driving around town trying to clear my head. I saw a store that sold leather, and decided to park my truck and take a walk inside to see what was there. After browsing around for a few minutes I was intrigued enough to buy some leather and a couple of tools. I thought I’d give making a leather laptop sleeve a shot. After a few days I went back to the same store to buy more leather and tools. And then again a few days after that. The material and craft was interesting. The more I did, the more I wanted to understand the material. I wanted to reach some level of proficiency with making something – anything! Before I knew it, a few other people asked me to make them something too. Eventually I figured I was spending enough time and money on this accidental hobby, that I should put some more thought and intent into it.
During the day was working as a Director of Online Marketing at local health and Wellness Company. My professional life was dedicated to marketing products online and building digital tools and websites that pushed some marketing message. I thought that I could use my new hobby as a kind of case study for my professional skills. So I decided to build and brand.
Now seven years later I have a fast growing leather goods brand that was really just started out of an experiment.
I’ve focused not only on building quality, long lasting leather goods products, but also on a brand that was marketable and that would help me communicate my product offering to customers in Texas. Luckily, that strategy has now allowed me to grown OLG to a point where I and now longer working a corporate job. I’m also proud to say we ship beautiful handmade leather goods customers across the US and to several other countries.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nope! Not at all. For six years I essentially ran a full-time business on at night and on the weekends. I worked a 50+ hour per week corporate job, then would come home and grind away at making and building OLG. I never slept!
Finding a way to balance it all was tough. Some days I was successful. Other days I failed miserably. The longer it went on I got better at it (but not perfect).
Now that I’m running the business full-time, I’m not having to balance the day-job. The struggle now is managing all the production demands and all the administrative tasks and demands. It’s essentially still a one-man shop. I produce more goods than other shops 4x my size, but it’s not without its difficulties. We still make all our products in-house by hand. I spend most of the day in the workshop making goods. This year my goal is to continue to increase production, but also find more time for me to spending in the office, working “on the business.” There is where OLG will really find growth this year.
It’s TOUGH!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Odin Leather Goods – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
In the maker community, I’m known for my hustle. People know that I work hard around here. I produce an insane amount of goods for a one-man shop and still present it all with a good brand story. When I’m asked to speak at events and on podcasts, more the questions revolve around my drive to get it all done. Most are shocked when I reveal that I feel like just like everyone else.
As for our products… We make solid, sturdy, and dependable leather goods. We don’t make trendy items. Instead I focus on designs that are highly functional, and that has a timeless style. I don’t worry about figuring out next year’s trend. Trends will come and go, but a well designed and constructed belt, wallet or bag will still be a customer’s favorite 20 years for now if I do my job properly.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The best thing about Dallas is that there’s a huge community of Makers and Creative here – all willing to share and celebrate each other. That’s been one of the best things about starting OLG. – meeting so many other talented people around the city and metroplex. There are also a ton of resources here as well. When I speak to makers in other cities, they share about having to drive for hours or wait for days to receive packages in the mail for various tools and resources they may need each day. In Dallas, most of what I need is only a quick phone call or drive away.
What I don’t like about Dallas, is how often it’s characterized by what may come across as a fairly pretentious crowd and specific parts of town. It’s very unfortunate. Dallas is not just big hair, the Cowboys, and mega churches. There a wonderful and thriving creative community here – products, brands, art, fashion, music, etc.
Pricing:
- Our smaller goods (wallets, bracelets, pouches, belts, etc.) range in price from $35-$125
- Larger items (like tote bags, satchels, purses, etc.) range in price from $250-$500
Contact Info:
- Address: 556 S Coppell Rd Ste 102
Coppell, Texas 75019 - Website: http://www.OdinLeatherGoods.com
- Phone: 9792555179
- Email: hello@odinleathergoods.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/odinleather
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/odinleathergoods
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
