Breaking Rules & Building Teams w/ Justin Fitzwater, Fitzwater Leather | Beyond the Workbench #11

What does it take to carve out a unique space in the leathercraft industry and scale a home-based business while working as a firefighter? This episode explores finding your niche, building a team, and staying creative when you make your own rules.

In Episode 11, Justin Fitzwater shares how he built Fitzwater Leather by focusing on the fire service niche—creating custom badges, plaques, and gear for firefighters across the country. He walks through the decision to bring on contractors, managing a home-based workshop with a growing team, and the challenges of balancing full-time fire service with running a leather business. This conversation digs into the importance of innovation, staying open to new ideas, and not limiting yourself to what's always been done in the craft.

GUEST: Justin FitzwaterFirefighter and owner of Fitzwater Leather, specializing in fire service leather goods. Justin has built a business serving firefighters nationwide while maintaining his career in the fire service, and he's passionate about expanding what's possible in leathercraft.Instagram: @fitzwaterleather

TIMESTAMPS:

00:26 - Meet Justin & Fire Service Leather

01:35 - Managing a Home Workshop with a Team

04:03 - The Tipping Point: When to Hire Help

08:48 - Building a Business with Vision

16:18 - Partnership & Family Legacy

39:19 - Breaking the Rules in Your Craft

44:42 - Custom Tools & Innovation

48:00 - Weirdest Thing in Your Shop

54:50 - Keeping Creativity Wide Open

57:05 - Connect with Fitzwater Leather

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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.

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

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