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

Samuel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Knowing that I don’t have it all figured out, but the belief that as long as I don’t stop, I’ll get closer to the answer. By nature, I really only see what’s in front of me, not what is ahead of me. I can be short sighted, but because I’m also a dreamer, sight is not the only sense I rely on. I also cannot rely on solely on me, myself, and I. I need the people around me, from the immediate relationships in my home, to the relationships that have not yet been cultivated.

One of my true keys to success has been the relationships I have created over the past few years. The relationship with my wife, who is also my business partner. She is the lighthouse and I am the ship on the ocean. Relationships with other makers and creators has been massive. The old paradigm of seeing everyone else as competition is a death knell for my business. I see them as friends walking the same path as I, and when we help each other along the way, we both succeed.

My relationship with my clients is paramount to my ability to continue operating my business. One hundred percent of my sales come from one on one interactions. I reach out when I see expressed interest, or people reach out to me for my products. My biggest flaw would have to be how long it can take me to complete projects. This is where clear communication and rapid response times has afforded me the grace I receive from my patient clients.

My relationship with the man in my head has changed for the better over time as well. Being able to trust myself, my gut, and my intuition has served me better than I could have ever hoped. This breads confidence, which breads trust, and the cycle continues, and spreads beyond then walls of my skull.

Samuel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Sam. I am the sole operator of Black Cross Leather LLC… And Vending Machine.

This all started for me because I thought I wanted to make knives. Grinding metal is a messy process and I wanted a leather apron. Against my wife’s wishes, I spent a bunch of money on a leather hide, because I was certain I could make a better apron than I was going to buy, for not much more than I spent on the leather. The apron was made, which I still have and use, and the fire for knife making dwindled, but something else happened. Using the leather from my apron, I made a leather slip for an EDC (Every Day Carry) piece I wanted to carry, but also wanted to keep from being banged up in my pockets. I posted it online, was asked to make another one, and I haven’t stopped since.

I started out making leather products and projects from people who reached out, asking if I would be able to bring an idea, they had, to life. The hobby began paying for itself, while I moonlighted during the evening, and working a full time job during the day. Projects ranged from leather sheaths, to notebook covers, full sized backpacks, and shoulder bags. Business got the the point where I would either cut back or go full steam ahead.

Coming up on 4 years of self employment a lot has changed and my business has expanded beyond leather. It started with one 3D printer, then a lathe, a second 3D printer, two mills, and now a desktop CNC. This is how I adopted the “And Vending Machine.” I am not a popper machinist, but I do enough machining that I wanted to incorporate it into the name of the business, even if it is just a bit of an asterisk.

I am a Toy Maker. I make pocket art. Some pieces are functional, others just dangle, but they all create an emotional response. I get to express my creativity into products people acquire, to express themselves, in their own creative way. This can range from accessorizing by a certain color palette, or identifying culturally to a particular pattern, like Serape. The things we carry are small reminders, memories, and tokens of who we are and where we come from. These are mementos shared between friends and family members. They are fun toys we get to carry, that put a smile on our faces.

I make lanyard beads, of which I am most known for my mushroom beads, but I have other styles. Great for a zipper pull or to attach by lanyard to a favorite knife. I make worry coins. I make spikes that can be used for tying knots in rope. I make grocery getters, a metal ring attached to a leather strap. I make single finger knucks (SFKs), which are cool little finger rings. I make leather stamps with my 3D printers. I make knife sheaths, wallets, leather bags, and bracelets. I make a folding beard/mustache comb. Most of my work are custom requests and I’m not very good at saying no.

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

At the end of the fiscal year, of my first year of full-time running Black Cross Leather, I had a rude awakening. Seeing how much money I made after taxes was crushing to me. It felt like I had failed my business and my family. I went into a bit of a panic and was sure I would have to get a “real” job. Thankfully my wife and kids put one hundred percent of their support behind me and I decided to push forward. I started supplementing my income by driving for ride-sharing companies in the evenings. I started to look at my business practices more honestly and was able to make the necessary changes. I was hustling and working harder, more focused, and things improved to the point where I no longer had to do ride-share driving. It taught me, the only true failure is quitting.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

I do have multiple revenue streams, but they are all in house. By diversifying what I make and sell, I have essentially created separate divisions within the company. I have a leather business. I have a machining business. My 3D printers, and soon the desktop CNC, are passive income producers. I also get to use all of these in conjunction with one another. There is even the component where my income comes from prospective clients as well as helping to produce products for other makers.

Quite possibly the most important aspect to my ability to wear multiple hats is that it keeps me engaged. I don’t get bored because the options are nearly limitless. It opens my mind to the possibilities, rather than seeing road blocks. Ultimately reinforcing the trust/confidence/success cycle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackcrossleather.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackcrossleather/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackcrossleather/