We were lucky to catch up with Lainey Wright recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lainey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear a story from back when you were an intern or apprentice. What’s a memorable story you can share with us?

I am so grateful to have had the apprenticeship experience that I did. It was a bit of a wild hair that lead me to leather work in the first place, and I went into the apprenticeship very excited but also with very low expectations.. little did I know I’d come out on the other side with a growing set of tools and a growing business plan.

I came into my apprenticeship at an almost perfect time. I was the only student and therefore had direct, one-on-one, hands on learning each time I stepped in the studio. It addition to the learning the technical craft of leather working, I learned countless other lessons that have continued to apply to both my personal and professional life. I learned the value of thoughtful, careful work and attention to detail. I learned that mistakes will always happen, but what really matters is how you handle them. I learned that no matter how good your craft, it’s the relationships formed with co-workers and customers alike that are the real reward. I learned that the “community-over-competition” approach to business is the only approach worth taking.

Like I said, so many lessons learned. My multi-year apprenticeship is an experience that I will always look back on fondly.

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

There’s a sense of wonder that comes from putting on grandma’s jewelry, cooking and eating with mom’s old cutlery, or wearing dad’s letter jacket. I started Weather & Story to design products for the modern woman that would one day spark that same sense of wonder.

I apprenticed under a local leatherworker to learn the time-honored traditions and methods of working with leather and found a real connection to the creative space of design and craft.

In 2016, Weather & Story got its start in my tiny bedroom on the east side of Austin, Texas. Since day one, each product has been designed and crafted to add beauty and functionality to everyday life. We aspire to give the modern woman something more than a product that seizes on a fleeting trend, but rather the kind of timeless, quality good that can become an heirloom all its own. One that will weather life’s ups and downs and go on to carry years of stories and memories.

I am proud to say that after several years research, we are now working with some of the most beautiful leather available. All of our hides are sourced from two tanneries in Tuscany, guaranteed by the official, exclusive Pelle Vegetale Consortium to be sourced sustainably and tanned using the original vegetable tanning methods.

Ultimately, more than providing just another leather bag, my hope is that these products will encourage you to remember the importance of your story and inspire you to engage with the stories of those around you.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Curiosity, a commitment to my craft, being engaged in my community and an excitement to learn from every interaction. These have become the pillars of my business. I genuinely enjoy connecting with those around me, whether they be other small business owners/makers/crafters or my customers… not for the sake of “getting ahead” or “making connections” but solely for the human to human, shared experience. Has this approach provided me with opportunities of growth for my business, yes! And more than that, it has lead me into some of the greatest relationships, helped me through ups and downs of owning a business, and proven to me that community wins out over competition every single time.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Much of the messaging I was hearing when first starting my business was “you gotta find your competition, look at what they’re doing, and do it better!” I’ll admit my sources weren’t vetted or trusted, mostly just results of “how to start and grow a business” google searches… but nonetheless, I listened. This approach lead to a disappointing road of realizing my “competition” was already doing things really well and why did I think I could enter the same space and do any better? Eventually I connected with a business coach who encouraged me to focus inward, more on my unique brand story, my products, my strengths. Who was Weather & Story? Why did it need to exist? Who did it need to serve? Rather than trying spend my energy and focus on outdoing my “competition,” I finally began to develop a deeper sense of who Weather & Story was and the language to communicate that story to my ideal customers. Ultimately, this lead me to a more genuine approach that has allowed me to look at others in my industry through a lens of appreciation rather than fear or competition. I see there is room for everyone, and each brand story will connect with folks in different, important ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.weatherandstory.com
• Instagram: @weatherandstory
• Facebook: facebook.com/weatherandstory

Image Credits
Jessica Scott Shiann Banks Katie Webb