Made Leather Company is a growing retail company providing leather bags to an array of high-end customers, including a host of professional athletes in both the NFL and NHL. We spoke to Founder Lenise Williams to find out more about her and her business.
Black Owned Leather Goods Business
What inspired the creation on Made Leather Company?
I traveled to Morocco for a speaking engagement and while there I fell in love with the leather products that were available. The quality and the craftmanship was unlike anything I had seen before ,I still remember the leather conditioner they used to clean their products. Being a natural entrepreneur, my wheels started to turn during my travels back home.
Why did you decide to manufacture your own product as opposed to reselling a similar product?
What has been the most inspiring part of your entrepreneurial journey? What has been the most challenging?
How do you manage to balance being a mother and entrepreneur?
Where do you see the business in 5 years?
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
My advice is to take more risks. Many are not encouraged as children to seek the unknown; it can be scary. Therefore we become adults that are still fearful of the unknown. It is important to do whatever it is you want to do even when you are scared.
There is so much freedom and feelings of accomplishment on the other side of fear. Even if it does not work out the way you had hoped at least you know as opposed to living the rest of your life wondering “I wonder what would have happened if….”
-Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson (IG @thebusyafrican)
Hey Tony, I must say it was a great read! Your list of black-owned leather goods businesses is so helpful for those who want to support black-owned businesses and find quality leather goods. I appreciate the time and effort you put into researching and curating this list, and your detailed descriptions of each business are so informative. Your blog is a great resource for those who want to support black-owned businesses, and I love how you cover a variety of topics related to black culture and entrepreneurship. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future!