We were lucky to catch up with Morgan Emmert recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Morgan, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I’ve always loved creating and coming up with new ideas, pushing the limits to what is possible in the realm of design. This partnered with my appreciation and love for this country is how Liberty & Leather came about. With leather being so versatile and durable it was the clear choice of material to use. Giving my clients the “freedom to create” has become my biggest passion in life, bringing me so much joy to be able to turn dreams into realities in terms of leather bags and accessories. Seeing a void in the leather goods industry for fully custom designs I decided to use my pattern making skills and creative mind to provide services to those who are as excited about getting exactly what they want out of a handbag or accessory as I am! I believe people shouldn’t have to settle for a bag that’s just like everybody else’s or doesn’t have quite all of the features they’re wanting. Everything is figureoutable, as a creative and entrepreneur I’m paid to be a problem solver and no better way to do that than through providing a positive and unique experience for my customers.
On the other side of what the “freedom to create” entails is to protect and preserve individual liberties and the free enterprise system that allows for so many others like me to even have a business of our own! When someone buys a bag or orders a custom piece they can know they are part of something bigger than just quality accessorizing, but that they are keeping the American dream alive for future generations! Not only that but a portion of each purchase is donated to Patriot Academy and organizations like it who are fighting to preserve freedom and free enterprise by raising up young leaders in the community who are educated and equipped in the constitutional values this country was founded on.
Morgan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The story of Liberty & Leather Goods starts back in the summer of 2016. After just graduating college with my degree in fashion design from the University of North Texas (caw!) my uncle invited me to go on a mission-turned-business trip with him to Uganda, Africa. That was where I first got introduced to leather making, I was helping start a leather goods brand with a group of women over there who would be making the leather bags, that I would eventually sell here back in the states. Unfortunately through a series of circumstances, we didn’t end up getting that business off the ground as hoped. Fast forward to the beginning of March 2020, I had a conversation with my dad about rebooting the leather business, whether that meant partnering back up with the group in Uganda or doing the leather making on my own. Throwing around the idea of restarting a leather brand and what mission I wanted to attach it to, I felt led to start researching about Uganda’s history and governmental systems to find out why such an amazing culture of people was so impoverished. I’m talking, old school, checking books out at the library type research! Before I was fully able to come to that conclusion a global pandemic happened, shutting down any hope of starting a business internationally.
In the 4 years between going to Africa and starting Liberty & Leather I began to really press into self development, learning what it takes to have a business owner mindset and entrepreneurial spirit. Through a partnership with a local business team my knowledge of free enterprise and education about the history of America began to grow, igniting the fire of patriotism within me. Recognizing the difference in governmental systems between the US and Africa my vision for the brand began to shift as well as my appreciation for being born in the land of the free. Having the ability to start my own business and grow it to whatever level of achievement I desired was a luxury I realized not everybody in the world has. With this newfound passion for freedom coupled with my creative talents Liberty and Leather was birthed.
What I’ve found in working with clients to create custom leather bags and accessories is that there are a lot of people who want to have total autonomy in designing their purse, backpack, wallet..etc. We all have unique tastes, preferences and lifestyles that the big box stores and manufacturers can’t accommodate for. That’s where I come in! I work individually with clients to hear exactly what it is that they are wanting, size, weight of leather, color, hardware, specific features and any other personalizations they can think of. Put it all together and get to work. While the custom aspect is my main focus, I understand not everyone needs that service so I also offer signature designs that allow people the opportunity to still support the mission of the brand while at the same time not having to put a lot of mental energy in figuring out what they want. Though they still have the option to personalize any of the signature designs if desired.
In terms of what I’m most proud of, I’d say the transformed mindset that I’ve been able to develop about myself, others, and business ownership in general since starting. Something I greatly attribute to the people in my life, family, friends and mentors who have been my biggest supporters, cheerleaders and sounding boards to keep me focused on the vision I have set for my life. Now looking forward to the day where I am able to do that same thing for other creatives and aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to take that leap of faith and stop allowing the fear of failure to hold them back. Not gonna lie, it’s an emotional rollercoaster, but I grew up going to theme parks so you could say I’m a bit of an adrenaline junky for that kind of stuff!
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Word of mouth advertising really has made all the difference for me and my business! Although I’ve been blessed with an amazing support system already, that doesn’t stop me from expanding my network and continuing to share my story and brand with other people out in the market place or online. It is important for me to continue to find people who value custom, handmade in America goods and are excited to tell other people about it. When referred, I make it a point to develop a personal relationship with each new customer. Viewing them as an actual human being with needs and preferences as opposed to a walking checkbook (or credit card, depending on your generation) A good book that helped me understand this concept of business clientele relations is “Referral of a Lifetime” by Tim Templeton
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
For the time being everything is handmade by yours truly, with the goal to eventually bring on other artisans to help lighten the load. What that looks like is I design the item, make the pattern, cut the leather, assemble and sew it all together with an industrial machine. It’s been quite the journey figuring out all the intricacies of leather, which leathers are best for which projects, how to dye leather, where the best place to source it from..etc. Not to say that I have it all figured out by any means, there is still a lot to learn which honestly has become my favorite part of the process. With each new custom design I do, I learn something new! I’m extremely grateful for all of my customers over these last 3 years who have put their faith in me to deliver quality custom leather goods and have given me grace at times where I have needed it most while honing my craft!
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is how to overcome challenges and not allow setbacks to discourage me from doing the best of my ability. I believe everything is figureoutable with sustained thought and an open mind. Whether that is in terms of designing a complex bag with specific features or meeting a deadline for a corporate order. Which clear and effective communication has also been a very helpful tool I personally had to develop as well. Truthfully there’s been a lot of lessons learned in these past 3 years, as I’m sure there will be many many more to come in the next 30+ years! I’m excited for the growth and transformation that’s going to take place and appreciative of all the people who’ll come alongside me throughout the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.libertyandleather.com
- Instagram: @libertyandleather
- Facebook: Liberty & Leather
Image Credits
Austin Scott Photography Jaycee Quinn Photo