Meet Ryan Catellier of CATELLIERmade in Castle Rock

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Catellier.

Ryan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Working with my hands has always brought me a great deal of satisfaction. As far back as I can think, I would somehow find a way to use whatever materials that were around me to fashion something out if it. Leftover posterboard form a school project would be made into an art piece, wire from the garage floor would be made into an action figure. You name the materials and I would find a way to make something, anything out of it. Woodworking was a love of mine too. I loved the process of picturing in my mind something to make and then making it.

I usually felt I could make things better than what I could find in the store, I hate spending money on goods that are not made well. As a result of this, if I can’t find it, I will make it. This is how CATELLIERmade was born, I wanted a better wallet.

During the summer of 2013, I decided to find some cheap leather to experiment with and made my first wallet. Garbage! It was pure, unadulterated garbage . However, with a little research, I purchased some better leather and invested in some higher quality tools and the wallet began to look like what I wanted.

Friends and family began to take notice of my wallets and wanted one for themselves. This was when it began to become more than just a hobby. I have since grown the business and product line, yet still, make every item by hand. I couldn’t be happier with how busy I am and believe it or not I still keep scraps and make things out of them.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
At first, it was smooth. This was only a part-time gig that I did in my spare time. The orders were far and few between and I was able to keep up with the wallet making. However, as I began to grow and made the decision to go full time the pressures and time restraint began to grow.

Raising 4 boys, 2 of them not in school yet and a working wife, my spare time was hard to come by. I have 2 days a week where I am able to work solely on orders, everything else is accomplished after the boys go to bed.

My greatest internal battle is between my desire to do more and grow the business, which is already full time and my greatest responsibility to my boys and being present for them. I am keenly aware that I have only one sho atbeing the best dad while these boys are little. I am, the only one on the world that can be their dad. This is my number one priority and joy. Yet, this is also what proves to be the most challenging hurdle to growing my business and feeling successful outside of the family.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I make Leather and Waxed Canvas goods. My desire is that people would use my products every day and that they will last forever. I don’t like the throw-away world we live in. I believe that the quality and durability of my products set me apart. People know quality when they see it, feel it and use it. My hope is that people will love my products for life and their kids and grandkids will cherish it as well. That my bags and wallets will be legacy pieces, not throw away items.

I’m most proud of the fact that I have built this from the ground up, with my hands. I didn’t spend money on marketing or overextended myself in any way. People simply recognized quality made goods and it has grown from there. Quality speaks for itself.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Seeing my products being used by people I don’t know.

Pricing:

• Goods ranging from $7 – $575

Contact Info:

• Website: catelliermade.com
• Phone: 720-375-5324
• Email: contact@catelliermade.com
• Instagram: @catelliermade
• Facebook: @catelliermade

Image Credit:
Melissa Doyle, Rachel Barker

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