Creating What is in Your Mind’s Eye
For several years Mike has had an interest in doing custom leather repair and saddle making. He started repairing saddles for his friends years ago and began making finely-tooled equestrian tack in his spare time. It was not until recently that Mike was able to open the doors of Ridgeline Saddlery and Repair, through the assistance of the Montana Job Training Partnership (MJTP), the Rural Institute, and Montana Vocational Rehabilitation. Before accessing Careers through Partnerships Project funds, Mike had only a few makeshift tools to do leather work. The Careers Project and Montana Vocational Rehabilitation provided him funds for the equipment and marketing assistance he needed to compete in an industry where quality and reputation are paramount to success. Mike currently works out of his garage, where he has a complete line of speciality hand tools and sewing equipment that are used for custom leatherwork. He reports that now he is no longer limited by lack of proper equipment and can create what he sees in his mind’s eye.
During the past few months, MontanaWorks, the vocational direct service arm of the Rural Institute, has helped Mike network with Pete Gorell, a nationally celebrated saddle maker who lives and works in Montana. Ridgeline Saddlery and Repair has already received orders from customers living in the Montana communities of Hamilton, Stevensville, Missoula, and Arlee. Some of the items Ridgeline produces are:
- rifle scabbards,
- leather canteen covers,
- stirrups,
- saddlebags,
- saddles, and
- “all the accessories.”
Mike is also creating a custom western, hand-tooled saddle that he can display for potential customers. He estimates the price for one of his hand-tooled saddles is $2,200 (depending on decoration) and customers can expect delivery about five weeks after placing their orders.
Mike reports that some of the frustrations he faced establishing Ridgeline Saddlery relate to the downturn in the economy since September 11, 2001. After that tragedy “there were several orders that were cancelled–which I can understand.” Mike is working full-time in wage paying employment, so it has been difficult to build his business and work the full-time job.
For Mike, the most exciting thing about running his own business is: “the creativity—I just love doing it.” He enjoys the independence it brought him because he established his own schedule. Currently Mike is working eight hours per week building his business and is netting $20 per hour, but anticipates working more hours when his Yellow Page ad comes out in February 2002.
How to contact this small
business owner:
Mike Atlas
Ridgeline Saddlery and Repair
3811 Stephens Ave, #15
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 327-9872