Rising Stars: Meet Jim Brainard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Brainard.

Hi Jim, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I am Jim Brainard. I was born in 1960, in Littleton Colorado. I am married now 38 years to my wonderful wife Jerri. We have two sons Tanner and Elijah.

Leather goods are a big part of the Western lifestyle. I learned to ride horses at age 6 and I rode in western show events, junior and high school rodeo. I spent a few years in Helena Montana in the late 60s and then in Edmond Oklahoma in the early 70s. We moved to Parker, Colorado in 1974 and have been here ever since. Horses, rodeos, and Western culture were a great influence in finding my path in life and drew my interest in making leather goods.

At age ten, I began to learn how to make hand-carved belts and wallets. I got my first sewing machine at age 12 from Goodwill for $15 to make chaps with. I made some rodeo gear as well. By age 13, I was pretty busy making belts and gear for people in the rodeo and 4H groups I was in. I went to a boot repair shop one day with my mom and when we left I remembered what a messy-looking place it was and I told my mom “I will never work in a place like that!” The next year we moved to Parker, Colorado. I was at the local western store and boot shop where I offered to make a pair of chaps for a gentleman who was shopping there.

Well, that got the attention of the boot repairman’s wife, and next thing you know I got hired. It was a shop exactly “like that!” I was 14 years old then. I worked with my mentor “Hutch” there for 5 years. From there, after graduating high school, I tried college for three months and decided I wanted back in the leather shop. My mentor was ready to sell the shop so with the help of my parents we purchased it in 1979. During my career, the need to upgrade, find, or replace equipment and tools also became a big part of my business. I love to find tools and machinery for other craftsmen looking for them.

I love it! It’s always challenging, rewarding and different. Many people want what I do and make. It’s what I know. Learning how to transform leather into usable products makes me feel useful. It is often difficult which teaches me great a deal of patience. That is hard to do since I’m not by nature, patient. Builds character. The majority of my clients come from a lifestyle I relate to and enjoy working for.

I believe they understand the value of the products they use and respect the amount of skill and experience I have to offer to bring them quality crafted leather goods and repairs. They are delighted owners of custom-made, uniquely designed boots and leather goods.

My years of repair work and custom leather goods have always been a growth experience. With every thing I have repaired and made it has changed my course, upward. Although many days you feel like you’re going backward. 35 years after I purchased the shop I found myself at a place where I felt I needed something different to occur. My wife suggested I call my mentor Hutch and have him teach me the one thing he had not done, teach me how to make boots.

This was the greatest change in my career yet. I thought I was learning patience before this and having children but making taught me even more. The degree of difficulty and attention to detail was way higher than all I’ve experienced in leather goods prior. This makes everything I do set to a higher standard. I see the appreciation and increase in clients because of this. So, boot-making is that “one” project.

I hope that I become as accomplished as possible as a bootmaker before I find myself too old to work or ready to retire. I know that it would be impossible to ever feel like I would have it all figured out. There will always be something new to achieve in making. That’s what drives me forward. Now that I am growing well in this part of my career I have been wanting to find out what this means to the world around me.

Who does it benefit? What do I leave behind from it? This is where I see the need to share my craft, teach it to others, and keep it growing through future generations. Hand crafted useable, wearable goods are not easy to come by as much as they were in the past. I see a revival in the craft and I hope to help further it through public education, mentorship, and apprenticeship programs.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing worth having ever seems to come easy. I used to feel like there had to be an easier way. I have learned that shortcuts and trying to find a faster easier way takes longer and is often harder. Starting at age 10, what did I know? I began as an apprentice at 14. I learned repair skills but I had no real business sense. At 19, I bought the business and the journey got tough. So you are good at a skill, leather work in this case but finance?! This is often a game changer for many artisans and craftsmen. If you can’t manage the business end it may end your business.

In 1980, I found myself struggling for the next ten-plus years to get out of debt and keep the business afloat. I did both by the true grace of God. Growing and thriving is also a challenge on its own. I expanded in many areas of my craft and always met challenges on the way. I met one of my most difficult challenges and the most rewarding at the same time when I began to learn boot making. For me, this was the biggest challenge of all the leather work I do. It still is! I like a challenge.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My years of doing leather work and repairing leather goods have taught me patience. Patience causes me to strive for a better product. It takes a great deal of time to craft a quality western boot. Patience and perseverance are the key. I want the best. With every pair comes new learning and that is always applied to the next pair.

It’s what drives me. I want the best for my clients. I spend time with mentors learning more and growing every day. Well-made products are different than the manufactured goods we can so easily get. Traditional methods of handmade goods need to be learned, retained, and passed on to the next generation so we never lose them. My goal is to achieve that while achieving a higher quality in my work.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
It’s home. I have seen many cities and states in our great nation but this is the most beautiful. I love the climate, year-round. Located here I have the full front range as a backdrop and only a couple hours drive to be in the Rockies. The sunsets are amazing.

What I like least any more is the traffic and rushing drivers. Like anywhere in the country you can find things to dislike about your city but my impression is, this one is still the best.

Contact Info:

• Website: jbcustomleather.com
• Instagram: @j.b._custom_leather
• Facebook: J.B. Custom Leather

Image Credits
Kristen Fiske