We were lucky to catch up with Mark Mulay recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mark, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

The question “Are you happy as a business owner?” is one that I think every entrepreneur has been asked, and askes themselves. In the grand scheme of things, absolutely. I will work for myself for as long as I possibly can, Lord willing it will be till the day I decide to stop. I think that a lot of the times people think that the number one reason people start a business is to make money, and that’s true, but in reality, we often don’t make much, if any for several years. Starting my business for me made sense, it meant that in the midst of a transition to a new state, I could continue to do chase this passion for leather. It also meant that i could continue to stay at home, helping to raise my two boys with my amazing wife. Being a part of their every day life was very important to me once I left the military. Now I have the two best helpers anyone could ask for, both becoming quite the craftsman, even at their young ages. 99% of the time, it’s the best decision I could have made and I’m extremely happy. Then there is the 1%. Those are the times where this question becomes more of a self doubt than anything, and if you can get through that short time, you’ll be better for it. Sure the numbers aren’t exact but you get the picture. The biggest example of this in my recent past was an order of custom tooled mechanics belts for a local shop. When i say custom. I mean each is different, hand drawn full floral patterns, with miniature hand carved tools, and the customers names on them (Check my social media for pics :)). I had spent probably 6-8 hours getting the belts drawn. Then i had to transfer them over to the leather, at which point you use a really tiny knife called a swivel knife to cut the pattern into the leather. After you get done cutting the pattern, you use a bunch of tiny tools to make impressions and give the pattern depth and detail. So, I was about 10 hours into this project, and had just got all the patterns cut into the leather when i stepped back and looked at it crooked. Something was off. Instantly I knew I had the names in the wrong spot :) Oh, and i forgot to mention this was my last order before Christmas, and it was December 2oth. I was so upset with myself. I realize we all make mistakes but, man…. that sucked. There wasn’t much to do, I was ready to throw in the towel. I had just landed a good order before Christmas, and messed it up with no time to fix it. I even texted a buddy and told him i would sell him my machines :) I thought it was the end of the world. That is until everyone around me made me stop stressing out. I called the owner of the shop, told him the situation, and it all ended up being no big deal. The belts came out great, names fully visible, customers happy, and at the end of the day I weathered the storm. Sure there is rough spots, and most of us probably wish we made more than we do :) especially us artists. At the end of the day, money can’t buy my kids younger years, and the memories we make, or the experiences I’m having as a leather worker and getting to work from home. The time I get to spend doing my passion surrounded by my family is a blessing. I am blessed to enjoy what I do, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to create.

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

My name is Mark Mulay, and I run Mulay and Company LLC, Mulay & C0. It’s a small, veteran owned business in Northern Minnesota offering Custom leather work ranging from belts, bags and purses, to horse tack. Now, after the opportunity to attend saddle school in Montana, we will be offering saddle repair and hopefully continue building custom saddles. In short, I love leather, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to create. I am proud of the fact the I am able to pursue this passion and be surrounded by family. I wouldn’t want it any other way. At the end of they day they will see me, happy to do what I do, and to do it with them.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I am constantly pivoting. I honesty don’t know if I would be happy making one thing my entire life. I enjoy learning new things, accomplishing new goals. Never once did I think I would even own a business. Then it fell into place. I enjoy making so many different things, each requiring their own techniques in certain ways. Belts, bags and purses, holsters, shoes, they are all very different. Most recently we are branching into the world of horse tack and saddles. We sponsor a local barrel racing organization and I am currently finishing up a saddle school in Montana. This will allow me to provide not only basic saddle repair to the Iron Range but also begin building custom saddles.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My initial capital was all self funded. That being said, I’m quite stingy, and I didn’t put much into it. Just a few new tools and a couple nice machines and rolls of leather.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mulayandco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mulayandco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mulayandco
• Other: www.etsy.com/shop/mulayandco