Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan O’Malley.
Hi Nathan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Leather Works Minnesota was started in 1999 by my parents Kent and Lee Begnaud in their garage in St. Paul Park, MN.
Growing up I would help out in the shop to make some extra Christmas money. In college I would play with my dad’s sewing machines to tailor my clothes, and before I graduated I was offered a part time job.
After graduation I started working alongside my parents full time, and later that year after a Martha Stewart Living feature our business began to grow and hasn’t slowed down.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey since I have worked at Leather Works Minnesota has been relatively smooth, with gradual growth as we moved out of our garage to Lowertown, St. Paul, and now our own building on the West Side.
There were years where my parents struggled and business was slow. It can be hard for a leather shop to gain visibility. Over the years we crafted our legacy together, and a story of who Leather Works Minnesota is and was began to emerge. We seek to work hard, fight the good fight, keep our heads down, and deliver exceptional quality leather products to our customers.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I manage production of our leather goods and oversee a team of exceptional crafters. We do everything from cutting, imprinting, and sewing, to finishing and preparing items to be shipped. I also manage our marketing and photography. I own a photography company on the side and have been blessed that we can use these skills in house.
I specialize in telling the story of Leather Works Minnesota through a consistent visual identity that is fun and engaging. Together my team specializes in crafting the highest quality leather goods.
I’m most proud of the legacy my parents began, and that is still being unfolded as we start our new adventure on the West Side in our new building.
What sets us apart from others is our multi-generational legacy brand. We have a unique concept in our shop with the addition of a coffee shop where guests can view the manufacturing and enjoy an incredible cup of coffee!
What are your plans for the future?
Our plans for the future began a year ago with the purchase of our new building. After many months of construction we are finally up and running and living the dream of having our own space, with retail and a coffee cafe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leatherworksminnesota.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leatherworksmn/
- Twitter: https://x.com/leatherworksmn
