Meet Dave Munson | Owner & Designer Saddleback Leather

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dave Munson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dave, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I was single, for a few years I worked 14 hours a day getting my business going. It was brutal, but my Black Labrador, Blue, didn’t really mind as long as I scratched on him now and then. There are seasons in life to work like that, but those days are when you’re single or for a short burst now and then. When I do have a few days like that, I tell my wife and kids ahead of time that they can expect it and when they can expect me to get back to normal again. And that works. But if I start to extend my long days past when I first estimated, then something is wrong and I set myself straight. I recently read a great great book on the subject of being busy and hurrying. Best book I’ve read in years. It’s called The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. It confirmed what I have been thinking and it has helped me to slow down.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe art is something skillfully and thoughtfully created that brings joy into someone’s life. Henry David Thoreau says, “To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” I create the longest lasting most durable leather bags I know how and they seem to bring people joy. One of the things I’m most proud of is that we’ve gotten people used to quality and they find it hard to go back to a lower level. To quote a Dutch designer friend of mine, “Quality is easy to get used to”. Learning about what quality leather is and learning about how to design for a bag to last for 100 years, takes many many years and many many mistakes. It wasn’t easy and I’m still learning. Thank goodness I’ve gotten the major mistakes out of the way and have learned from most of them. It just takes time to learn these things. I’ve learned a lot of what not to do and a lot of things that work. too. I. would say. the most important thing in business is to try to be the best in the world at what you do. It doesn’t usually take more money or time. You just have to plan to be. I’m not there yet, but I think we’re getting closer. Above all, seek knowledge about what you do. Learn as much as you can and become an expert in your area. And then educate others with what you’ve learned. Give your knowledge and wisdom away and then they’ll trust you and reward you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were coming to town for a week, I would definitely take them to the Stockyards in Fort Worth, along with the rodeo on Friday night there. Texas Stadium, the Saddleback Leather showroom and show him the secret room. Then I’d take him to watdh a Ranger’s game and try to find out where Freddie Jones may be playing that trumpet of his and go watch and listen. We’d definitely eat pizza at Cane Rosso.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Suzette Munson, deserves credit for being such a support to me in so many ways. She constantly works on her humility and raising our kids to be strong, confident and spiritually minded. Couldn’t do any of this without her.

Website: www.saddlebackleather.com
Instagram: @saddlebackbags
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saddleback-leather-co./
Twitter: @saddlebackbags
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saddlebackleather/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9W_7ShgD-AJR-nL6l1talQ?view_as=subscriber