Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Wendt.
Hi Steve, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started making leather goods for myself back in 1985 in Los Angeles. My partner at that time was a clothing designer and I helped him with the business end and also helped make high-fashion women’s belts for him. At that same time, I was becoming more involved with the leather community and went to a store named Pleasure Chest to buy a harness. Their prices were higher than I could afford at that time, and then I realized that we had leather straps, buckles, snaps, etc, so I decided to make my own. This led to making a few more for friends and eventually became a business.
In 1988 I moved to San Diego and started making custom leather goods out of garages I would rent, which eventually led to having a storefront on Upas St. After a few years of barely squeaking by, I went to work for Qualcomm for what was to be 6 months and ended up staying 20 years. However, I still kept up my skills by taking on some projects which I made on my back porch.
I was laid off in 1988 and after a few months break took a 10 month-long course to fill in some holes in my resume. I was in the process of completing this course and had a couple of good leads, but then Covid happened, and all leads dried up. So, I put out the word that I was taking on more leather projects which then led to my meeting with Tim, the owner of Pleasures and Treasures in North Park. We agreed that I would make stock for is store in exchange for my space on his second floor, and have been doing that since December of 2020, along with my custom work.
My shop is named Moose Leather and is located within Pleasures and Treasures on University Avenue. “Moose” was an old nickname of mine and eventually became the name of my business.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I said previously, when I had the store on Upas (at 29th), I didn’t make a lot of money. I paid myself very little and eventually had to go to work for someone else, which, for me, was Qualcomm. I made decent money there that made my second foray into the leather business possible.
Also, I am primarily self-taught. Back when I started, there was no YouTube, and I had to use the trial-and-error method with lots and lots of error. I would ask questions and would look at how things were constructed when I was asked to repair and alter others’ work. When I look back, I am surprised that I had the chutzpah to do what I did when I was younger. It seemed to me that if others could do it, so should I be able to. And I did.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In addition to making items for Pleasures and Treasures, I do a lot of custom work for people. Everything from harnesses to chaps, to vests, to pants, to shirts, and am now making my third cassock for a man in Brussels, Belgium. Back in the 90’s I even created someone’s Navy dress whites and dress blues, including the scarf, cap, and insignia from leather.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
That’s about it. While I am not making the money that I did at Qualcomm, I really like what I do and get great satisfaction from it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.moose-leather.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Moose_Leather/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MooseLeatherSD
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/moose-leather-san-diego
- Other: https://goo.gl/maps/xzJH36fjsk7DWxZG9?coh=178573&entry=tt
Image Credits
Dave Lawson
Luke Griffin
Steve Wendt
