| 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
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