Latest news with #Leatherology
Entrepreneur
07-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Siblings With Self-Funded 8-Figure Brand Share Business Tips
Rae and David Liu leveraged their complementary skill sets to start a business that's been profitable every year since launch. Rae and David Liu, the brother-sister co-founders behind luxury leather accessories brand Leatherology, "had the entrepreneurial bug" from a young age — but they didn't make the leap to business ownership right away. Image Credit: Courtesy of Leatherology. David and Rae Liu. Originally from Dallas, Texas, the siblings' early work experiences took them to New York and elsewhere: Rae launched a career in the fashion industry while David developed expertise in advertising, marketing and sales. In 2001, their father, David Liu, an entrepreneur himself, officially incorporated the vertically integrated ecommerce company DC International. With complementary professional skill sets under their belts, the siblings decided to start a direct-to-consumer brand under DC International's umbrella: Leatherology. "We own our manufacturing in China, and it's really unique because it's ours, wholly owned, and only produces for [our brands]," David says. "So that makes us end-to-end. Leatherology is built on top of that. [Entrepreneurship] runs in our blood, and it's brought us to where we are today." Related: She and Her Sister Started a Side Hustle to Help People Elevate Their Homes — Now Their Brand Pulls In Hundreds of Millions: 'Get to Work' Rae's work in the accessories space sparked her initial vision for the brand. She had a deep understanding of leather products and how the industry worked, but the cost of quality goods remained a barrier for many consumers, including herself. "I found myself in my 20s, working long hours in the fashion industry, and realizing that I could never afford the bags that I was working on," Rae recalls. "Price point and quality were really important to me. I thought that there [had to be] a better way." Image Credit: Courtesy of Leatherology Rae wanted Leatherology to provide high-quality, timeless leather designs at a reasonable price, directly to consumers, and she asked David if he could use his advertising background to help. Of course, David agreed. The duo launched the business in 2008. In the years since, Leatherology has grown into an 8-figure brand, even amid supply chain volatility and economic uncertainty. Entrepreneur sat down with Rae and David to learn more about their successful growth strategies — and what's next for the brand. 1. Self-fund and own the process Leatherology has been self-funded from day one; without outside investment, the founders can always make decisions that are in the business's best interest. "We talk about it [like] we are building the house we want to live in, not the house that we're going to flip and then try to sell for the most amount of money," Rae explains. "It means that we make strategic decisions and invest very heavily in things that you wouldn't if you were looking for an exit." In the founders' view, smart growth is "slow and steady"— and translates to "absolute freedom." "We pride ourselves on maintaining a profitable business," David adds, "one that can weather ups and downs over the years. We've been able to turn a profit every year, and it allows us to really think about the business decisions that are going to be good for our longevity." Related: She Used $10,000 in Savings to Turn Her Side Hustle Into an 8-Figure Brand You've Probably Seen 2. Lean into quality and what sets the product apart From the very beginning, the founders prioritized quality craftsmanship and monogrammed personalization in Leatherology's products. The brand first utilized blind stamping, where initials are pressed into the material, then introduced foil to its designs, expanding to include different colors and font options. "We've been doing hand painting for years," Rae says. "A lot of people in the space do digitally printed personalization. You usually only see the luxury houses still doing hand painting, but we've kind of stuck to our guns — [and to] this idea of craft. So that's what we're still doing. We have artisans who paint each letter, and we're actually about to expand that assortment with more fonts and letter sizes for the first time in a while." The vertical integration model makes that attention to detail and level of personalization possible, the founders say. Leatherology is also about to launch an option for custom artworks, allowing people to upload their own designs — for example, a handwritten note — to feature on the products. Related: How 'V-Commerce' Could Be the Next Big Trend for Startups Image Credit: Courtesy of Leatherology 3. Don't underestimate the value of diversified marketing Leatherology didn't rely on social media for its growth in the early days; instead, the founders laid the foundation for the brand, then diversified its marketing channels. The brand has a "robust" B2B business, working with Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike to put their logos on products that they gift to clients and employees. " A lot of our consumers who've been with us for years, their first time hearing about Leatherology was actually [when] receiving it as a gift," David says. "That has really yielded [growth from] word of mouth, which is the most important and cheapest form of marketing you can find. So we are leaning into gift-giving. We're doubling down on that as we go into this holiday season, creating more giftable, curated moments." David even recalls one time when he met with a client while at Google and mentioned his family's brand: A woman pulled out her own Leatherology bag, said she'd received it as a gift and had been giving one to everyone — a perfect example of that "snowball effect." Related: This Is Why Word-of-Mouth Referrals Should Be Your Number One Metric of Success Now, as the brand continues to grow, Rae and David are excited to pursue Leatherology's international expansion and double down on its commitment to innovation and customization. " I really want to own the personalization space," Rae says. "I want to become known as the go-to, that we're doing things better than others in a way that is more accessible. We live in a very consumerist society, and I obviously would love for people to buy better and consume better and not buy the cheap stuff, but buy something that's going to last longer from us." Image Credit: Courtesy of Leatherology What's more, the founders say that operating as a family business gives them a distinct advantage, especially as their long-term goals and interests have always aligned. "It's funny, our father says, 'You guys can argue about anything but don't ever fight about money,'" David says, "[and] that's something we just never argue about. We want to build this company, and we have the same drive and motivation to do so. As Rae said, we want to build this house. Ultimately, having that long-term alignment is hard to replicate with someone who isn't your own sister." Want to read more stories like this? Subscribe to Money Makers, our free newsletter packed with creative side hustle ideas and successful strategies. Sign up here.
Washington Post
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
A Mother's Day gift guide for (almost) any type of mother
For every mom who just wants to relax, there's another one who wants to party. There are a lot of ways to be a mother, and just as many ways to honor yours on Mother's Day. For every mom who wants nothing more than a moment to relax, there's another who wants to party, go for a run or bake — and probably some that want to do all of those things. We've gathered gift options for the mothers (and mother figures) in your life; scroll through them all, or filter by the category (or categories!) that best suit the woman you call mom. Filter Chevron Icon Showing all 36 cards Sort by price The 'yee haw' tee $68 from Imogene + Willie | Inspired by vintage tees and screen printed in Nashville, this T-shirt will be proudly worn by anyone who has had 'Cowboy Carter' on repeat since last year. If you're not sold on this one, they have lots of other western ones to keep in mind. Buy from Imogene + Willie Unisex Cloud Loom™ organic robe $178 from Coyuchi | This 100-percent organic cotton robe from Coyuchi feels a bit heftier than most other robes, and it has ample pocket space, too. Buy from Coyuchi Custom eye mask $60 from Lingua Franca | While we can't promise a cashmere eye mask will make a red-eye enjoyable, it might make it a touch more comfortable. Add a custom embroidered saying for an extra $40. Buy from Lingua Franca A5 snap journal $85 from Leatherology | For the mom who writes it all down, try this monogrammable, refillable notebook from Leatherology. Buy from Leatherology Classic thin border writing paper set $40 from Papier | For the mom who prefers a thoughtful letter to a hasty text, this classic, tasteful paper can be customized with her name and address for a more personal look. Buy from Papier Rally bag $98 from Recess | Upgrade your mom's pickleball set with this actually cute bag, which can hold two paddles and three balls, with extra room for wallet and keys. Buy from Recess Orbit basic turntable $249 from U-turn Audio | If your mom thinks the classics sound better on vinyl, updating her turntable will surely be appreciated. This model comes in enough color options — three brights, along with white, black and two wood choices — to match any decor. Buy from U-turn Audio Spice club $50 from Burlap & Barrel | For a gift that keeps on giving, Burlap & Barrel's spice club will send quarterly boxes of four new spices and an additional treat right to your mom's doorstep. You can buy a one-year subscription or keep it going longer by paying monthly. Buy from Burlap & Barrel Flower rolling papers $8 from Edie Parker | Isn't it great that you don't have to hide smoking from each other anymore? These rolling papers printed with colorful flowers will bring a bit of whimsy to the next time you roll up a joint together. Buy from Edie Parker Stewie unisex equestrian crew neck in white $135 from Recreational Habits | While her friends at the club still wear Ralph Lauren and your mom can be a trendsetter with prep-inspired brand Recreational Habits. We like this charming equestrian sweatshirt, but these activewear, tennis- or badminton-themed sweaters and oversize totes are worth a look too. Buy from Recreational Habits Ekobo chip and dip set $44 from Ekobo | This easy-to-clean, nonbreakable chip and dip bowl can be used at every game day, book club or dinner party your mom hosts. You can remove the center bowl to easily replace the dip mid-party, and as a bonus, the dish is BPA-, PVC-, phthalate- and latex-free. Buy from Ekobo Kloo tasting set $85 from Kloo | Any hang-ups a mom might have about instant coffee will disappear with these concentrates from Kloo, which save time (you just pour one shot in with water) and cut down on weekly latte spending. Buy from Kloo Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Loading Pure matcha $28 from Golde | Golde's pure matcha, made in Uji, Japan, comes in a tin or a larger bag ($48) for a mom who goes through matcha quickly. For a gift with a little more pizzazz, throw in the electric frother, too. Buy from Golde Loading Estelle cake stand $225 from Estelle | This glass stand from Estelle Colored Glass comes in lots of fun shades, like lavender, bright red and emerald green, and can be paired with the corresponding glass dome ($75) to keep everything fresh. Buy from Estelle Loading Bookmark in Panama $75 from Smythson | Her flattened receipts can technically work as bookmarks, but a fancy leather one is so much nicer. Buy from Smythson Loading Canvas four bottle wine tote $59 from Mark & Graham | Your mom needs a better way to transport bottles to wine club (or book club, or movie night, or a picnic). This monogrammable tote fits four bottles and holds them steady with bottle dividers and a flat, sturdy bottom — with room in the middle for snacks. Buy from Mark & Graham Loading Piano cocktail glasses $100 from Sophie Lou Jacobsen | Any cocktail lover knows that the glass is an important part of the entire drink experience. This set of two glasses, inspired by New York jazz clubs, will instantly be put into rotation. Buy from Sophie Lou Jacobsen Loading Portable retractable charger $44 from Counterpart | For any mom who considers loose cords the bane of her existence, introduce her to Counterpart, which makes an honestly chic retractable charger. She can toss it in her bag as she heads out to the office or on a trip. Buy from Counterpart Loading Baby changing sling nylon $230 from Caraa | It's tough for new parents to know what will really be useful until they're in the thick of parenthood, but a good on-the-go diaper-changing bag will always be appreciated. This one has a pocket for everything, including a dirty diaper if there's no trash can handy. Buy from Caraa Loading Ciele GOCap $50 from Ciele | Many runners are pretty particular about their gear and fit, but Ciele's accessories make for a safe yet excellent bet. This lightweight hat is made from a mesh material for extra breathability and features reflective details, in case she likes to run at night. Buy from Ciele Loading Cozychic blanket wrap $148 from Barefoot Dreams | For the mom already stocked up on plushy throws, pillows and fluffy socks, this softer-than-soft Barefoot Dreams CozyChic blanket wrap will become a staple in her at-home wardrobe. Buy from Barefoot Dreams Loading Cotton weighted blanket $199 from Bearaby | Help mom doze off faster with a weighted blanket proven to help her sleep better. This one from Bearaby is made from 100-percent cotton and won't be an eyesore if left out on the bed or couch. Buy from Bearaby Loading Incense bundle $120 from Vyrao | Vyrao's mood-altering fragrances now come in incense sticks that will shift the energy of your home. The bundle contains their three core scents — witchy, verdant and ember — but you can buy each individually if you don't want to go all in. Buy from Vyrao Loading Life in Pictures photo album $50 from Printworks | These modern photo albums from Printworks hold 30 pages of your favorite memories and look like sophisticated coffee table books. You have to paste them in yourself, unlike, say, an Artifact Uprising album (also a favorite of ours), but the light scrapbooking could be a fun bonding activity for you two to do together. Buy from Printworks Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Loading Linnea tote $318 from Freja | Show how much you respect her hustle with a new work tote. Freja constructs all their vegan leather bags with busy women in mind; this model has pockets for essentials plus space for a 14-inch laptop, and it can slide under an airplane seat. Buy from Freja Loading Beauty lip tint $28 from Jones Road | Jones Road, founded by famed makeup artist Bobbi Brown, creates the perfect no-makeup-makeup products. This lip tint won't feel like too much on, thanks to the lightweight texture, but it still gives her a little something to look 'done.' Buy from Jones Road Loading SleepMask $99 from Therabody | We know she's probably tried plenty of masks before, but this one from Therabody (which is best known for their massage gun) is the Cadillac of eye masks. It has three settings of vibrations to soothe you and help you fall asleep faster, while the ultra-padded shape blocks out all light to keep you asleep. Buy from Therabody Loading Yam jam hoop $156 from Yam | Add to her everyday collection of earrings with something a bit out of the ordinary, like these free-form hoops from Yam, a Black-owned brand based in New York. Buy from Yam Loading SPF bestsellers kit $48 from Supergoop | You and your healthy skin can thank your mom for years of insisting on SPF with this bestsellers kit from cult-followed brand Supergoop. She can try out some new products and use them on her next trip to somewhere sunny, as each bottle is TSA-friendly. Buy from Supergoop Loading Perfume discovery kit $35 from Ourside | After a lifetime of her putting you on to excellent scents, it's time to introduce your mom to a new up-and-coming fragrance brand. Ourside, a luxury brand based in New York City, has mindfully made, unique scents that smell unlike anything she's owned before. Buy from Ourside Loading Cactus body polish $32 from Nopalera | Not every relaxing moment needs to involve a bath; sometimes a really good shower will make all the difference. This polish from Nopalera, which makes all its products from the prickly pear cactus, will exfoliate and moisturize the body without being too abrasive for those with sensitive skin. Buy from Nopalera Loading 'Connie: A Memoir' $33 from Amazon | Journalist Connie Chung takes readers through her history at work (trying to navigate a mainly white, male-dominated field) and at home (trying to grow her family) under the highly critical eye of the public. Buy from Amazon Loading 'Lovely One: A Memoir' $35 from Amazon | Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court, shares her journey advancing in systems run by people that don't look like her. Buy from Amazon Loading Nocs binoculars $175 from Nocs Provisions | Every good birder needs a stellar pair of binoculars. These lightweight, waterproof binoculars feature a fine-tuning wheel for clearer pictures and an all-over grip, so they won't slip through your mom's hands as she tries to zoom in on her favorite bird. They also have a less-expensive option or a monocular, too. Buy from Nocs Provisions Loading Bird feeder camera $219.99 from Birdfy | Instead of overly zoomed in pictures of the creatures in her backyard, now a bird-loving mom can share high-definition videos, thanks to this feeder's built-in camera, which captures all the birds that stop by and even identifies them. Prepare for significantly more texts about birds. Buy from Birdfy Loading Defend the Parks water bottle $25 from Parks Project | This eye-catching water bottle not only advocates for the National Parks she loves, but it's also highly functional, dishwasher-safe, leakproof and made from recycled plastic. Buy from Parks Project Story continues below advertisement Advertisement
