Pivot, Prosper, & Persevere

How to Go Full-Time in Leathercraft (Without Making More Money First)

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:00:18 +0000

If you’re trying to figure out how to go full-time in your leathercraft business, you might be focusing on the wrong thing. Most makers believe they need to increase their income first—but in this episode, we break down why taking control of your personal finances and lowering your expenses can actually get you there faster.

We talk through how to evaluate your budget, identify what you really need to live on, and create a realistic path from part-time to full-time without the pressure of constantly chasing more sales. If you’re a beginner leather crafter or side hustler ready to make the leap, this episode will give you a practical strategy to start moving forward today.

Why Your Leathercraft Isn’t Selling (And How to Fix It)

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:00:03 +0000

If your leathercraft business isn’t getting sales, the problem might not be your product—it’s your marketing. In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I break down the biggest mistake beginner leather crafters make when using social media and why treating your page like a billboard is costing you customers. Instead, I’ll show you how to approach your content like a storefront—inviting people into your story, building trust, and creating real connection that leads to sales. If you’re just getting started or struggling to turn followers into buyers, this episode will help you fix your approach and start seeing results.

From Employee to Entrepreneur: How Betting on Himself Built a Business and a Life with Time for Family

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:00:09 +0000

What happens when you stop being “just a number” at a company and decide to bet on yourself? In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I sit down with an entrepreneur who walked away from the security of a traditional job and took a gamble on buying a business. Without even looking at the numbers, he focused on the opportunity he saw and the vision he had for what the business could become. A decade later, that risk has paid off.

This conversation dives into the mindset behind entrepreneurship—treating people well, listening for opportunities in everyday conversations, solving real problems, and having the resilience to keep moving forward when challenges arise. Beyond building a successful business, he’s also built something even more valuable: a life that protects time with his family. If you’re thinking about leaving your job, starting a business, or taking the leap into entrepreneurship, this episode will give you the encouragement to bet on yourself.

How to Turn a Side Hustle Into Your Retirement Job

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:00:36 +0000

In this episode of the Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere Podcast, we explore how a side hustle can become the perfect retirement career. Today’s guest spent years serving as a firefighter while quietly building a taxidermy business on the side. By focusing on quality work, creating demand, and building a reputation over time, he was able to transition seamlessly from a full-time W-2 career into running his own business doing something he truly enjoys.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a side hustle, building a retirement business, or creating an exit plan from your W-2 job, this conversation will give you practical insight and encouragement. Learn how starting small, building demand, and thinking long-term can help turn a passion or hobby into a business that supports you in the next chapter of life.

The #1 Marketing Advantage Most Crafters Are Ignoring

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:00:06 +0000

If you run a handmade business and feel stuck trying to grow, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I break down the biggest marketing advantage most crafters, leatherworkers, and makers are completely overlooking. If you build your products by hand — leather goods, silverwork, crochet, woodworking, or any craft — you already have powerful content and connection built into your business. People buy from those they know, like, and trust. The problem? Too many makers stay hidden in the shop instead of showing the process that builds that trust.

We’re talking practical craft business marketing strategies, how to sell handmade products without feeling fake, and why marketing should never be the bottleneck in your small business. If you want to grow your leathercraft business, handmade brand, or creative side hustle without relying on ads, this episode will challenge you to stop hiding and start leveraging what makes you different.

From Apprentice to Entrepreneur: Don Gonzales on Building a Leather Business

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:00:26 +0000

In this episode, Joe Meling sits down with Don Gonzales to talk about what it really takes to build a successful leathercraft business — starting with apprenticeship and ending with marketing that actually works.

Too many makers focus only on improving their skills. Skill matters. But skill alone doesn’t build a business.

Don shares how learning through apprenticeship can fast-track your growth as a leatherworker — not just technically, but professionally. Then we dive into one of the most overlooked truths in small business:

You cannot wait to be discovered.

If you want your leathercraft business to grow, you have to get in front of your customers. Go to them. Show up. Build relationships. Market intentionally.

This conversation is for:

• Leatherworkers wanting to turn pro

• Small business owners trying to scale

• Makers stuck waiting for sales

• Entrepreneurs building a craft-based brand

• Anyone serious about growing in 2026 and beyond

In this episode we cover:

• The value of apprenticeship in skill development

• Why mentorship accelerates business growth

• The marketing mindset shift most makers need

• How to get in front of your ideal customers

• What it really takes to pivot, prosper, and persevere

If you’re serious about turning leathercraft into a real business — this episode will challenge you.

Subscribe for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, makers, and business builders who are willing to share the real journey.

How Entrepreneurs Build Reputation From Scratch

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:00:23 +0000

What happens when you bet on yourself — with zero experience and zero contacts?

In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I sit down with Steven Van Plew to talk about what it really looks like to enter a brand-new industry with nothing but belief, work ethic, and the willingness to outwork the competition.

Steven shares how he:

• Broke into an industry with no network

• Built his reputation from scratch

• Took massive risks and gambled on himself

• Outworked the competition

• Pivoted into a completely different industry — and did it again

If you’re starting over in business, thinking about making a pivot, or questioning whether you have what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur, this conversation is for you.

Success doesn’t always come from connections.

It comes from conviction, consistency, and courage.

Whether you’re launching your first business, building a personal brand, or stepping into a new industry, this episode will challenge you to take the bet on yourself.

Subscribe for more conversations about entrepreneurship, mindset, business pivots, and the real stories behind success.

Your Don’t Need The Skills - You Need The Courage

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:00:20 +0000

You don’t need all the skills before you start - you need the courage to take the first step.

This entrepreneur stepped far outside his comfort zone and built businesses he had no formal training to run. Through determination, adaptability, and grit, he found success, learned the skills along the way, and ultimately redefined what freedom and fulfillment look like for him.

This conversation is for makers, crafters, and small business owners who feel stuck waiting to be “ready.” If you’ve ever questioned your path, your skills, or what success is supposed to look like - this one’s for you.

Skills can be learned. Courage has to come first.

How to Run a Side Hustle Without Losing The Joy You Started With

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:00:50 +0000

Many people fear treating their hobby as a business because they don’t want to lose the joy they had in it to start. A business is what you create it to be and it can’t steal your joy unless you let it. Being intentional, learning to set boundaries, and having a clear vision can allow you to protect your joy.

Why a Career Pivot is Not a Failure & How to Use Past Skills

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:00:56 +0000

Many people stay stuck where they’re at due to a fear of failure. Failure is a perception and a decision. Making a pivot on your career is not a failure when done in the right way. There is a lot of your past or current career that will actually carry you forward into the future stronger.

Shifting From an Employee Mindset

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:00:53 +0000

Taking on the mindset of an owner while you are still an employee not only helps you bring more to the table, but it also helps develop your skills while you’re in your current position. Riley Waggoner has worked hard and dedicated himself over the last 4 years to build his skills both personally and professionally. I love his perspective that he shares on catching and casting vision. It’s been an honor to have a front row seat to the journey Riley has been on both personally and professionally.

Failure Was Not an Option

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:00:06 +0000

At 29 years old, Ryan Gill made the decision to go “all in”. He invested everything he had to start a new business with no guarantee of success. He started by himself with 1 dump truck. 21 years later, along with his business partners, they sold their business to the largest construction company in the world. The path to success was anything but a straight line for Ryan, but his refusal to fail paired with a desire to grow saw him through tough decisions and an almost devastating downturn.

A Foundation To Build On

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:00:35 +0000

Follow along as we visit with entrepreneurs ranging from main street makers to international business owners. The stories are diverse but the principal is that same. There is a certain mental toughness that comes with entrepreneurship. Some people have it going in, some develop it along the way, while others get discouraged and quit before reaching their full potential.

When we face troubles and bumps in the road, its helpful to pull strength from another person's testimony. If someone has made it through something similar to what you're facing then that's proof enough that you can do it too. Even stories from other industries can parallel the struggles, thoughts, emotions, and situations that you have or might run into.

Join us as we pull strength and encouragement from amazing people willing to share their stories, setbacks, and strategies.

Pivot, Prosper, & Persevere - Trailer

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:47:32 +0000

This is a trailer for what's to come in this podcast!