Paving Your Own Way w/ Aaron Heizer, Maker's Leather Supply | Beyond the Workbench #22

Aaron Heizer built Maker's Leather Supply from a $10,000 purchase into one of the most recognized names in the leather supply world, then sold it. The more interesting story is how he did it: by just being himself.

Odin and Magnus sit down with Aaron to trace that journey. It starts with Army retirement and a difficult custom work customer who pushed him to pivot. From there, Aaron talks through building an audience through unpolished YouTube videos, live odd lot leather sales, and teaching classes before anyone else in the space was doing it.

The conversation also gets into pricing and self-worth, and why so many makers undercut themselves before the customer even has a chance to say no.

Featuring Aaron Heizer of Maker's Leather Supply: https://www.instagram.com/makersleathersupply/

TIMESTAMPS:
01:00 - How It All Started
05:50 - Buying Maker's for $10K
11:30 - The Customer Who Changed Everything
17:12 - Why He Loves Teaching
20:03 - Authenticity Before "Influencer"
25:00 - Mystery Box and Odd Lot Sales
30:44 - If You're Not Growing, You're Dying
35:04 - Targeting the Right Audience
37:00 - Price It Like You Mean It
45:15 - Building a Brand Worth Selling

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HOSTS:
Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleather
Michael Magnus - https://www.instagram.com/magnusopus

Beyond the Workbench casually dives into the world of leathercraft, entrepreneurship, and modern maker life. Hosted by Odin Clack (full-time leatherworker and retail owner) and Michael Magnus (leather marketing expert and founder of www.learnleathercraft.com), we explore everything from personal project updates to marketing strategies, retail challenges, and the business side of making.

New episodes are released on the first and third Thursdays of every month.

Enjoying the podcast? Please share it with someone who you think would find value in the conversations. If these conversations have helped your business and you're interested in supporting the show, visit our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench

Edited and produced by Instrumental Media: https://instrumental.media/