Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Ahlgrim.
Eric, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Valencia, heavily influenced by music, arts & media, surfing and traveling. I work full time in the music industry. I do marketing and branding graphics, custom graphics drumheads and I photograph live events. I also work full time at Dark Water Classic, my handcrafted leather business based out of my garage.
My entire life I have been a strict online shopper only. I noticed that something I felt that I was constantly rebuying were wallets. I realized that most wallets and most “leather goods” for that matter are manufactured with the intent to fail, forcing the consumer to have to come back and repurchase.
I don’t believe that is good business. So I did the smartest thing I could… I went on YouTube and watched endless videos on how to handcraft a leather wallet. I designed my own wallet, made one, posted a photo on Facebook and immediately started getting friends asking to place orders.
So in 2015, I launched Dark Water Classic. A business that is geared for consumers satisfaction, completely handcrafted from scratch and built to last with only the highest grade materials, real genuine Horween leather, all sourced in the USA.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There is no such thing as a smooth road in my opinion. If the roads were smooth than everyone would be doing it. Building a small business from the ground up is no cake walk, and it has shown to only be as successful as the amount of time and work you put into it.
I work full time, 7 – 3:30 pm for the past few years. I get home and work in the shop on leather orders from 5 pm until maybe 12 or 1 am depending on the workload. Truly burning my candle at both ends in hopes to build my brand into something larger.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Dark Water Classic – what should we know?
Dark Water Classic is a one-man operation. I handcraft every item completely from scratch. Cut, assemble, punch, saddle stitch, sand, burnish and brand each item. I source all of my materials in the USA, and I purchase everything from other small businesses like myself in order to keep our cash flow revolving around the US.
Dark Water Classic is known for its accessories. Items that everyone can use. Wallets (big and small), key chains, belts, hats, beanies, guitar and camera straps, beer openers & flasks.
I am most proud of the relationships I have built with other great companies. I craft private label leather goods for dozens of other companies that love my product and want to offer it to their customer base.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My largest supporter by far is my wife. She is my rock, she keeps me in line and never lets me take a step backwards. If I ever have doubts, or when I get overwhelmed or frustrated, she is there to bring me back down to earth. She believes in me so much, she believes in the company and what its potential is.
I also have great friends I’ve met along the way, other craftsman such as myself who have answered questions I have had for my craft, always offering tips and tricks that they learned the hard way in hopes that I won’t do the same thing. Just great people like that who don’t see this business as a competition but more of a community of the trade, wanting to keep handcrafted goods alive in America.
And of course, my customers. There wouldn’t be a company if there weren’t people out there constantly ordering. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported my small business and trusting me to produce the best quality goods that I can for them.
Pricing:
- The most consistent price point in my product line is $30, for small wallets, hats, beanies & flasks
- Key Fobs from $4 up to $28
Contact Info:
- Website: www.darkwaterclassic.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkwaterclassic/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darkwaterclassic/
- Other: https://ericahlgrim.myportfolio.com
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
