Advertise on podcast: Beyond the Workbench

After a month away, this episode of Beyond the Workbench is a more casual, candid conversation, catching up and discussing what has been taking up most of their attention recently. Odin shares his experience from the Boot and Saddle Maker Show in Wichita Falls, floored by a first saddle that looked like years of work, and now a corner of his shop is waiting for one of his own. If he only had time... That said, every year he finds time to tool the championship belt for a tamale eating contest in Lewisville, mostly for the challenge of it. The two discuss the value of putting work in front of people who would never walk into a leather shop and the non-monetary compensation that can come from community involvement. Not every project has to pay, but you should be honest about why you said yes. Odin shares that lesson learned the hard way. Leathercraft Business Mastermind interest form:https://forms.gle/m7jjm314NjkTQhir5 TIMESTAMPS:00:09 - A Month Between Episodes02:37 - The Boot and Saddle Maker Show08:26 - New on Learn Leathercraft11:08 - The Tamale Eating Contest Belt13:04 - Know Why You Said Yes17:41 - Don't Lie to Yourself19:56 - Lessons From Subscription Boxes26:07 - Leave Yourself Time to Play28:04 - Adding Leather to Everything35:10 - Leatherwork for Film and Theater --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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 twice a month on Thursdays. 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #SaddleMaking #LeatherTooling #CraftBusiness

Odin admits he relearns this one every year. Back-to-school has both hosts juggling football, volleyball, and theater to find a night to record. Magnus took his family on a slow road trip through East Texas, one-way glass bathrooms included, and his history-hating daughter loved it. Three months after the cats found new homes, his great aunt is rested and healthier, and even his son kind of misses them. Odin's shop ran out of its branded packing tape because finding a new supplier was less fun than tooling a belt. Magnus owns up to sinking 20 hours into a class search app when a few marketing emails would have done more. The money, Odin says, is made in the office. Then Cedar Breaks Cowboy Co. writes in. He turned around 25 covers in a week and a half, sent the invoice, and learned payment would take 30 days. Odin would have asked about terms before starting, because once the product ships, the leverage is gone. Leathercraft Business Mastermind interest form:https://forms.gle/m7jjm314NjkTQhir5 TIMESTAMPS:00:18 - Finding a Night to Record08:16 - Remember Why You Started11:34 - The Cats, Three Months Later14:05 - Seven Habits and Mission Statements19:27 - Mission as a Decision Filter23:56 - Using What You Already Have28:34 - Money Is Made in the Office32:38 - Kanban Boards for Everything45:16 - Know the Terms Up Front55:42 - Send the Invoice, Then Work --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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 twice a month on Thursdays. 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #Kanban #PaymentTerms #CraftBusiness

The show was busy enough that almost nobody got the catch-up time they came for. In Episode 29, Odin and Magnus recap the Heart of Texas Leather Show in Waco: classes back to back, a line at every booth, and apology texts afterward from friends who never found a free minute. Both hosts also noticed a shift on the floor, younger faces and makers coming at the craft from outside traditional tooling. The classes surfaced the same three sentiments over and over: a hobby that got expensive enough that a spouse asked it to pay for itself, knowing you should be posting but not wanting to be on camera, and owning more leather than you will ever cut. Under all three sits the same question, artisan or business owner, which is a spectrum and not a fork. Out of those conversations comes a small mastermind group built around goals and accountability. The form below is gathering input on schedule, format, and price. Leathercraft Business Mastermind interest form:https://forms.gle/m7jjm314NjkTQhir5 TIMESTAMPS:01:05 - No Time to Catch Up02:28 - Learning Better From Someone Else05:57 - Why Niche Classes Fill Slower10:23 - New Faces at the Show11:46 - A Designer, Not a Tooler15:22 - Inside the E-Commerce Class22:25 - The Mastermind Group Idea34:09 - Artisan or Business Owner37:59 - Three Things Everyone Wrestles With46:45 - Lasers Getting Less Taboo --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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 twice a month on Thursdays. 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #LeatherShow #Ecommerce #CraftBusiness

Sometimes the plan gets interrupted by 32 cats. Magnus spent two weeks helping his 81-year-old great aunt's pets. His projects stood still while he did it, but it was all for the best. Odin saw a shirt that read "Life be lifin'," and it became the frame for the episode: what happens to your goals when summer, family, and an emergency all land at once. The goal line is yours to move. Magnus also paid out the first quarterly dividends to the makers selling on learnleathercraft.com, which is something to be quite proud of. Odin reports back from Weaver Leather's Maker Camp in Ohio, where almost nobody knew who he was and that turned out to be the best part. A doorbell hanger class became a sewing machine lesson for 30 people who had never touched one. The back half gets into Don Gonzales's apprenticeship program and grading projects on margins, not looks. TIMESTAMPS: 00:31 - When Life Interrupts Everything 07:11 - Setting Goals That Survive Reality 08:44 - Paying Out the First Dividends 12:07 - Overestimate One Year, Underestimate Ten 17:17 - Inside Weaver's Maker Camp 22:14 - Nobody Knew Who I Was 23:17 - Teaching Thirty People to Sew 27:53 - Getting Out of Your Silo 37:59 - Grading a Project on Margins 48:38 - Heart of Texas Classes Explained --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjd Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast All Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbench TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbench Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench 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 twice a month on Thursdays. 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #MakerLife #WorkLifeBalance #CraftBusiness

Most people think they need an audience. What they actually need is a community. Steve Van Plew, a TV editor turned leatherworker and host of the Leathercraft Community Podcast Show, joins Odin and Magnus to talk about why he built his show around community instead of audience, and what that distinction actually changes: storytelling that builds trust, vulnerability that makes people relate, and a genuine investment in the people watching. The conversation moves into batch recording, pitching sponsors, and racing to capture the stories of the industry's older makers before they're gone. Steve also shares how a dog collar for his mini pinscher turned into a full leathercraft obsession. Featuring Steve Van Plew of Van Plew Co.:https://www.instagram.com/vanplewco/ TIMESTAMPS:00:01 - Welcoming Steve Van Plew01:22 - How the Podcast Began05:58 - Storytelling Builds Trust With Audiences12:04 - Racing to Capture Elder Stories20:44 - The Batch Recording Secret Explained25:28 - Pitching and Pricing Sponsorship Deals38:13 - How a Dog Collar Started44:41 - Attention as the New Currency48:16 - From TV and UFC to Leather56:00 - Where to Find Steve Online --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://youtu.be/kQWifxu3s8AAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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 twice a month on Thursdays. 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #CommunityBuilding #ContentCreation #MakerLife

Chasing someone else's success is a losing game. In Episode 26, Odin and Magnus get into what it actually looks like to measure your business on the right terms and the right timeframe. The episode covers a summer check-in, corporate leather classes as a revenue stream, and why the front door of a retail shop tells you almost nothing about how a business is actually doing. Magnus brings in a concept from a leadership book he is reading about finite versus infinite games. There is no finish line in business, no single winner, no point where you stop. Odin frames it his own way: success is a river, not a pie. The back half gets honest. Both hosts admit they move past wins almost immediately and find it easier to celebrate other people than themselves. There is also a useful moment about pricing: building a simple formula that makes custom work easier for the customer to understand and easier for you to quote. TIMESTAMPS:01:01 - Summer Schedules and Routines03:32 - Magnus's New Job Update04:44 - Learn Leathercraft Updates10:25 - Corporate Classes and Team Building17:35 - Front Door vs. Back Door Business22:29 - YouTube Returns After Four Years26:23 - Preserving Leathercraft History32:20 - Pricing by the Inch37:52 - Finite vs. Infinite Games42:17 - Success Is a River, Not a Pie --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #MakerMindset #MakerLife

Most makers can tell you what they make. Fewer can tell you who they're making it for. Odin and Magnus sit down with Jasper Knight, a saddle maker and production leatherworker from Idaho they met at their Sheridan business class. Jasper runs knife sheath manufacturing out of a 15x15 shed, builds saddles out of a semi trailer on his property, and makes leather holsters for toy cap guns that he believes could be his hero product. The problem was that all of it lived under one roof, sending different signals to different audiences. A single question from Odin in class reframed everything, and by the time this episode recorded, Jasper had already spun the holsters off into their own brand. The conversation covers what it costs to learn a new production process, why a small tight product line beats a wide one every time, and how lifestyle photography does what product shots alone never will. Featuring Jasper Knight of Jasper's Leather Co.:https://www.instagram.com/jaspersleatherco/ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Meeting Jasper at Sheridan04:45 - Knife Sheaths and the JUKI AMS-21013:00 - Who Is the Toy Holster For?16:30 - Splitting the Brand23:00 - People Buy for Their Reasons29:00 - Lifestyle Photography33:30 - Do Fewer Things Better43:00 - Production Tricks from the Shed51:00 - State Arts Grants and Teaching56:00 - Teaching Scroll Foundations --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #BrandBuilding #MakerLife

In Episode 24, the hosts are in Sheridan, Wyoming for the Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show. Before the drive in, a stop at a hat maker's studio and a high-end interior design shop turned into a real conversation about pricing, audience, and why the right room changes what your work is worth. At the show, the debut competition delivers its usual mix of inspiration and humility. The episode closes at the airport, one year to the week from the Sheridan recap that started the podcast. TIMESTAMPS:03:06 - Sheridan College and the Show06:50 - Hat Maker in Billings12:11 - The $52 Coasters13:46 - Pricing and Positioning21:17 - Writing Reviews That Work28:15 - Classes and Takeaways29:37 - Building a Podcast Community38:21 - Justin Fitzwater Takes Third43:43 - Reflecting on Year One47:43 - The Alice Stoneman Award --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #Pricing #LeatherShow #RockyMountainLeatherShow

Are you spending money on tools you forgot you signed up for, chasing search terms that will never convert, and doing work that someone else should own? In Episode 23, Odin and Magnus take stock. Odin walks through his belt bar and brand activation business and what it means to sell a solution rather than a product. Magnus breaks down SEO for makers: why targeting broad search terms is a losing game, and how Google Business listings and descriptive reviews are the most underused tools a small shop has. The back half covers software subscriptions, what to keep, what to cut, and why regular auditing matters. If you have been saying yes to everything and wondering why nothing feels like progress, this one is worth your time. TIMESTAMPS: 01:00 - Busy Season Check-In 08:30 - Letting Go of Sunk Costs 15:15 - Declutter Your Space 23:00 - Belt Bars and Activations 35:00 - Sell the Solution 38:00 - Stop Chasing Broad Terms 44:30 - Find Your Real Customer 51:00 - Reviews That Actually Work 01:01:00 - Apps Worth Keeping 01:44:00 - AI and Authentic Voice --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjd Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast All Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbench TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbench Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #SEO #DigitalMarketing #MakerLife

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 Started05:50 - Buying Maker's for $10K11:30 - The Customer Who Changed Everything17:12 - Why He Loves Teaching20:03 - Authenticity Before "Influencer"25:00 - Mystery Box and Odd Lot Sales30:44 - If You're Not Growing, You're Dying35:04 - Targeting the Right Audience37:00 - Price It Like You Mean It45:15 - Building a Brand Worth Selling LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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/

Most entrepreneurs stay busy all year and still can't explain where the time went. In Episode 21, Magnus sits down with Matthew Gaddy, a longtime friend and productivity coach, to talk about why that happens and what to do about it. The conversation covers goal-setting, breaking big plans into actionable steps, and how to recover when you miss a deadline without derailing the rest of your year. Matthew also walks through why the greatest enemy of great is usually something good, and how to figure out which things on your list actually deserve your attention. If you have ever taken a look at things halfway through the year and wondered how you got there, this one is worth your time. TIMESTAMPS:01:00 - Matthew's Background and How He Got Into Coaching06:20 - Reactive vs. Proactive: Why Busy Isn't Productive09:50 - How to Set Goals That Actually Mean Something14:00 - Breaking Goals Down Into Actionable Steps20:00 - Deep Work vs. Short Bursts: Using Your Time Well26:15 - When You Miss a Deadline: How to Adjust Without Derailing30:00 - Magnus's MentorBot and AI for Accountability33:25 - Prioritizing Goals: The Warren Buffett Method37:30 - Saying No to Good Things to Protect Great Ones45:00 - Closing Thoughts and Encouragement for 2026 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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/

Should you name your business after yourself, or build something that can outlast you? In Episode 20, Odin and Magnus dig into one of the most common questions in the leather community. Odin recaps teaching three classes at the Prescott leather show, Magnus shares news from a company cruise and a new job, and the two talk through hiring, retention, and what it actually looks like to let someone go for their own good. The main topic comes from a question sent in by Jay Whitman Leather on Instagram. He wants to build a brand, not a person. What follows is a practical conversation about legacy, risk, and who really owns a brand once it is out in the world. TIMESTAMPS:01:00 - Prescott Leather Show Recap07:30 - Teaching Business Classes at Shows11:15 - Patreon Calls and Workbooks13:00 - Magnus's Cruise23:15 - Magnus's New Job25:00 - Retention and Letting People Go35:00 - Don't Fear Who You Hire37:40 - What's in a Name?44:20 - Artist Brand vs. Business Brand50:10 - You Don't Own Your Brand WATCH ON YOUTUBE:https://youtu.be/pcqwO0uLK_U LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastAll Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbenchTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbenchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench HOSTS:Odin Clack - https://www.instagram.com/odinleatherMichael 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #BrandBuilding #MakerLife

Tax season has a way of making even the most passionate makers stop and question entrepreneurship. In Episode 19, Magnus sits down with Angie Benefiel: the leatherworking CPA. The two have the honest conversations most of us have been avoiding. Angie brings a rare combination: a leatherworker running her own brand (Holland Leather) who also works with accounting for a living.The conversation covers what actually separates a hobby from a business in the eyes of the IRS, what deductions most makers are leaving on the table, and how to think about bookkeeping when your materials come in hides, and your inventory does not fit neatly into a spreadsheet. They talk through entity structure, what an audit really looks like, and why tracking your mileage alone could be worth more than you think. Following the conversation, Odin reflects that much of this applies directly to scaling a leather business, including the ongoing challenge of managing inventory without tying up all your cash on the shelf.This episode was timed intentionally for early March, as many makers are working to figure out their taxes. Whether you are just getting started or already running a shop, there is something here worth hearing before you file.Disclaimer: Nothing in this episode is tax advice, rather conversations about accounting. If anything from these discussions resonates with you, we encourage you to discuss it with your tax professional. Featuring Angie Benefiel of Holland Leather:https://www.instagram.com/hollandleather/ TIMESTAMPS: 06:35 - Hobby or Business? What the IRS Says 09:14 - Steps to Make the Shift to Entrepreneur 12:12 - Home Office, Phone & Internet Deductions 16:16 - QuickBooks, Xero & Spreadsheets: What Works 20:39 - Cash Sales & Barter: It's All Taxable 22:57 - What Actually Happens During an Audit 26:34 - Angie's Sheridan Classes Breakdown 32:47 - LLC vs. Sole Proprietor: Which Is Right for You 38:42 - Mileage & Other Overlooked Deductions 43:35 - Tracking Inventory as a Leather Business LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjd Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast All Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbench TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbench Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #Bookkeeping #TaxTips

What does it look like to chase an idea with everything you have, even when it does not fit the mold? In this episode, Odin and Magnus sit down with Dennis Forrester, founder of 21 Grams and creator of the Tattooling machine, to talk about what happens when inspiration hits and you refuse to let fear talk you out of it. Dennis's story starts with a therapist telling him to find a hobby. No pressure, no business, just something for himself. What came out of it was a product that did over a quarter million dollars in its first year and eventually landed a manufacturing partnership with Weaver Leather. The conversation covers the full arc: from accidental invention to patent, from hand-assembling cartridges at a kitchen counter to collecting royalties. Along the way, they dig into what it means to enter an industry as an outsider, how to push through the noise of people who want things to stay the same, and why the biggest risk is usually letting fear win before you ever get started. Featuring Dennis Forrester of 21 Grams Leather Goods: https://www.instagram.com/21grams_leathergoods/ --------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjd Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast All Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbench TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbench Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #ProductManagement #startingabusiness

In this episode of Beyond the Workbench, Odin and Michael draw on their tech and product backgrounds to talk through what it actually looks like to launch something new. Using the launch of LearnLeathercraft.com as a real-world case study, they explore how early decisions take shape, how ideas move from concept to something usable, and why clarity around the problem you are solving matters more than getting everything perfect on day one. The conversation digs into who you are building for, how to avoid getting stuck in endless planning, and when “good enough to launch” is the right call. They talk candidly about feedback, iteration, and the tradeoffs that come with waiting too long, especially for small teams and solo makers. The result is a grounded discussion about applying product thinking to support creative work, rather than turning it into corporate busywork. -------------------------------------------- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5ABgRjIDEGyi7bEbjd Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-workbench/id1816987809 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast All Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE WORKBENCH: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheworkbench TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondtheworkbench Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Beyond-the-Workbench-61576775047322/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtheworkbenchpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondtheworkbench 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/ #BeyondTheWorkbench #Podcast #Leathercraft #LeatherWorking #Entrepreneurship #MakerCommunity #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #BusinessStrategy #ScalingBusiness #Manufacturing