In 1985, after leaving the Air Force under honorable conditions, I found myself at a turning point. As a new father, I wanted to settle near my family and provide for my daughter. I secured a job building tires at a major tire company in Charlotte, NC. The pay was great, but I had a dream that kept me motivated: owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and riding with my little girl on future road trips. Financing a motorcycle back then wasn’t easy, so I knew I’d have to find another way to make that dream a reality.
In 1986, I decided to start a side job. After trying my hand at taxidermy for a time, I discovered leathercraft. I borrowed $99 from my grandfather and purchased a deluxe leathercraft kit. With it, I taught myself the art of cutting, carving, stamping, and staining leather. My daughter, Heather, would play on the living room floor, and right beside her, I was on that same floor, learning leathercraft from scratch.
As my skills grew, I advanced from simple projects to more intricate work, including Western design stamping and figure carving. My background as a painter and artist helped me create detailed, three-dimensional portraits in leather. While these pieces were beautiful, they weren’t profitable enough to fund my dream of a Harley, so I began crafting other items like billfolds, belts, holsters, and moccasins. I experimented with exotic leathers such as snakeskin, alligator, lizard, and stingray. While I made some progress, I soon realized these materials weren’t practical for every customer or project.
One day, while sitting at the kitchen table, I knew I needed a name for the business that could carry me into the future. I asked my wife, Barbara, to help develop something memorable. A few days later, she had an idea: “Why don’t you name it Heather’s Leathers?” It was perfect, inspired by our daughter, just like brands such as Wendy’s and Sara Lee, which were named after the founders’ daughters. That was the moment Heather’s Leathers was born.
With a solid business name and a clearer vision, I took out a $15,000 loan to purchase professional leatherworking equipment. Every dollar I made went right back into the business, allowing me to grow and build momentum. At the time, I was working out of a small 10’ x 12’ workshop with my daughter Heather, now eight years old, helping me with various tasks like spotting seats and cutting fringe for custom orders.
With the business growing, I approached Kiwi Indian, a well-known antique motorcycle dealer in California, to see if they needed any custom leatherwork. Though initially turned down, I got a call back from Mike at Kiwi a few days later. He asked me if I could build antique motorcycle seats. Without hesitation, I said, “Yes, sir! I sure can!” even though I had no experience with antique seats. I was determined to learn.
I soon upgraded to a larger 14’ x 24’ workshop, where I crafted my first antique motorcycle seat. With no one to guide me, it took a month of trial and error and about $1,000 in leather to complete. That first seat only sold for $85, but I had caught the antique motorcycle bug and knew I was onto something.
From there, I started attending Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) swap meets, selling seats and building relationships with customers and other business owners. I connected with Bob and Gary from Starklite Cycles, who became invaluable to me as I navigated the ups and downs of running a growing business. There were tough times—twice in the first ten years, I had to close shop temporarily. But with faith, perseverance, and the support of my family, I bounced back each time. The Lord has always been by my side, guiding me through challenges and blessing me with incredible customers and partners along the way.
Heather was by my side, too. Starting at the age of 10, she traveled with me to swap meets, helping sell seats and saddlebags. Our adventures together across thousands of miles are some of my fondest memories. If you ever meet her, ask about the day we sold the same seat to four different people—it’s a story she loves to tell!
Through hard work and dedication, Heather’s Leathers has grown from a side project into a full-fledged business known for quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. What started with a $99 loan and a dream has become a thriving operation serving motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. We’ve built a reputation for creating beautiful, custom leatherwork for antique motorcycles, and the journey continues.
Today, Heather’s Leathers is expanding more than ever, offering a wide range of products and constantly innovating new designs. While Heather now lives in California, she still occasionally joins me for swap meets and business events. I’m excited for what the future holds and am grateful for the incredible support we’ve received over the years.
From humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a business that’s not just about leather—it’s about family, craftsmanship, and a legacy that started with a simple dream.