Meet Jonathan Zananiri

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Jonathan Zananiri again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Jonathan, thanks for joining us again. Just to level set a bit for folks who may have missed our last interview together, can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Jonathan Zananiri, and I am the current and sole craftsman behind Zananiri Leather Co. I make leather goods completely by hand to honor the timeless tradition of leathermaking. Throughout my teen years, the aroma of leather had permeated the household through my mother’s creative endeavors; it wouldn’t be too much longer before I picked up the tools. I seek to honor the generations before us, after us, and the ones with us now. Foremost, I seek to honor God with my creativity, and I look for ways to incorporate my devotion to Him in my work.

Formerly named Lineage Leather and now renamed Zananiri Leather Company, you can expect the same attention and quality put into each piece but now more refined. Each design highlights the richness of the leather with decluttered components by breaching a balance between fashion and function. What sets my work apart is original design and making items that are not disposable, rather items that can age into cherished pieces.

Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
While I have made a variety of goods in the past, I am currently focusing on journal covers (A5 and A6), wallets, and belts. My greatest revelation as a leathermaker is to identify what is truly in me to share, what I truly have a creative idea for vs producing what I think I should make. I have learned that this allows me to best serve my customers; and and make things for them that they can admire.

I have been practicing the trade of leathercraft on and off for over eight years with long hiatuses in between as life has served up different seasons. The latest hiatus came by that of me and my wife’s firstborn son, taking time away to invest in the early years of his life. While I am deeply thankful for the creative outlet in leather – it has been a gift to me – I will always prioritize my faith in God and my family. And one day, I hope to pass on the trade to my son.

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

Favorite Movie: Rocky

Favorite Book: Joshua, specifically chapter one

Favorite TV Show: Andor

Favorite Band or Artist: any and all of my friends that play music

Sweet or Savory: sweet

Mountains or Beach: mountains

Favorite Sport (to watch): football

Favorite Sport (to play): basketball

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): basketball in HS and rock climbing in college

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: an NBA player and

French Fries or Onion Rings: sweet potato fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: I’ll take Billy Beane from the Oakland A’s

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Rocket Power

Favorite Childhood movie: Jonny Tsunami

Favorite Breakfast Food: every and all of it

Was there a moment in your career that you can tell us about that illustrates or demonstrates the kind of person you are, your approach, ethos, etc.
In a previous career I was a lower level manager who had just been put in a position to help coordinate a season’s worth of travel tours. The owner of the company, his right hand man, and me were in discussion about personnel for the tour. It was a meeting behind closed doors, so many opinions were shares as one can imagine.

One of my colleagues – in many cases one of my supervisors – was up for discussion; he had been the brain behind much of our product, was excellent at his job, and was a great ambassador for what we stood for. Though, he was about to be releaved of this tour and would miss out on months of work. Where I didn’t have a voice, I spoke up for him, expressing his caliber. My bosses were ready to omit his name, but I stood up for him and vouched that we would be unable to deliver our product without him. The owner took me on my word and kept his name on the tour.

He continued on as a pivotal piece of our team, and I was glad to see him every time thereafter. This man does not owe me a single thing, but I look back on this am so glad that I stood for him, operated in integrity, and did not remain quiet.

Website: https://zananirileathercompany.bigcartel.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/zananirileathercompany

Image Credits
Jonathan Zananiri