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

TJ, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

There is definitely all types of risks involved in owning and operating your own business. The last risk I took business wise, was about a year ago. I decided to add on to the business. Not only do I make all types of custom leather goods. But I decided to start making custom fur felt cowboy hats. That’s not quite like the leatherwork where you can go by 50 dollars worth of material and tools and make you a wallet. And then decide if that’s something you want to do. I had to take the risk and buy all the tools and equipment needed to make a good hat before I had even made one! But it all worked out I’m pumping out hats just like my leatherwork now!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got into leatherwork in 2015. I had always been around leather when I was younger and ranching. I decided to start making a few little things just for some extra cash. Now it’s a full blown business. Every leather worker has their own style and you can definitely see it in their work. I hand draw everything I tool straight onto the leather with a pencil. Then start the tooling process after the customer gives me the go ahead on the design. So it’s very custom. There will never be another wallet, bag, etc that is the same as the one I made them. I’m very proud of my work and knowing that the customer loves the final product. And that they will have it for years and be able to pass it down to their kids is pretty neat.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal in this business is to just be the best I can be. When a customer gets a piece of mine I want them to have it for years and know that I put everything I had in that project.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of my business is when a customer brings in something that has sentimental value to them. My last project like this. Was a customers dad had just passed away and he brought me all his dads boots. I was able to take the tops of those boots and make it into wallets and purses. For him and his siblings. It was very cool that he trusted me enough with those items to make them into something usable.

Contact Info:

• Website: tjscustomleather.com
• Instagram: tjscustomleatherandhatco
• Facebook: TJ’s Custom Leather & Hat Co