We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Noah Marion. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Noah below.

Noah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Truthfully I didn’t realize how much my parents did for us until after I made my way to college. I think that it’s hard to really see the forest for the trees when you’re in the midst of the forest, if that metaphor makes any sense…But when I got to university I realized that my parents had decided years ago to uproot us from our beloved neighborhood, the one where I ended up starting my first store in fact, and take us to a ‘better school district’. At the time, I was upset and traumatized for being uprooted, little did I know what kind of tumult was to come shortly after (but that’s a story for another time.) But, after years passed, I realized that education and support truly is the key to success. We moved, and I found new friends, new haunts, new activities, etc and life moved on. When I got to college though, it was apparent that I was so much more prepared and ready for being there. The classes were easier, the work load manageable, and I realized the three other people from my Highschool also felt the same. Everyone else seemed daunted to say the least. Well, I guess the rambling is all to say that if it weren’t for my parents prioritizing our education, I don’t think I would’ve been able to succeed like I have. I thank them everyday for their sacrifice and I know that one single action changed the course of my life for the better, for ever.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am just a small business owner, designer, leather worker, etc that’s trying to provide a fun and fulfilling work environment for the people I’m so lucky to work with. That’s first and foremost. But I suppose it started when I finished college and realized I didn’t have a million plus dollar ceramic studio to continue my work and I decided to move over to the sewing machine and tools my dad had given me and began the studio in earnest. Sixteen years later we are two stores, one studio, and about fifteen humans working for a common goal: to provide quality goods for life. We curate, craft and sell incredible design objects in Austin, TX and through our e-commerce site worldwide. It all started with one wallet I made myself in my moms garage and now we’re here. I’m most proud of the team we have and the great memories we’ve created by making things that people love and carry with them daily.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Well I would say covid is the obvious story but I think if I’m being honest that wasn’t the hardest time of them all. I definitely didn’t know what was going to happen but I think because of so many experiences before that I just had faith we’d get through to the other side.

So many times over the last 16 years I’ve found myself all alone in that store staring out the windows on south Lamar and no one had been in all day or maybe all week…but I just keep showing up every morning to open up the store and make leather goods and coffee and get to it.

I think that’s honestly what it’s all about, just get up every day and show up. Most people quit. Even when they’re not alone. Doing it for so Long alone has allowed me to really know and cherish how this feels when we have a whole team showing up every day. Persevere and resilience is the recipe for success. I wish it was just a cool product or a good attitude. Grit.

Have you ever had to pivot?

COVID!

Lol

We had to shut down all access to our WALK IN ONLY business and stay home every day. But one of our incredible team just kept showing up to work, getting online orders out the door and hanging in there as an example that we can keep going. So eventually I just decided we’d have to pivot and keep pushing to online sales only and hope that people would come back.

Luck would have it we made it through and because of so much support we’re bigger and better than ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.noahmarion.com
• Instagram: @noahmarion
• Other: [email protected] 5129816692 2 stores: 2053 S Lamar Blvd Austin TX 78704 1606 S Congress Ave Austin TX 78704

Image Credits
Rickyann Ramos