Four years ago, Dave McKinney was still stuck in an office job.  Dave’s quite known in the skateboarding world – not just for ripping – but for his work as an art director and designer for various brands.  But he had reached the end of his line and was searching…

Today, he owns Edison MFG Co. and is a respected leathersmith.  This is Dave, the guy who had never sewn a square up until he started this adventure.  YouTube videos, whatever it took, he sought and learned and created.  The Edison shop and workspace now holds down the North Park neighborhood, showcasing all sorts of unique creations by Dave, from wallets to belts, aprons to lighter cases.  He does it all himself. Right now, he’s in the midst of constructing 40 bags.  How does he do it?  He lives right upstairs, so there’s no real separation between career and life.  As soon as the shop closes, he begins the real work, sitting down at the machine and cranking through the night.  Dave works harder and happier at this than anything that came before, and you can see it in the quality goods.

Whenever people ask me for advice on a project they’re starting up, I just make sure that they’re passionate about what they’re doing.  As long as you are madly and blindly in love with your work, it’s never really work.  You’ll immerse yourself in it, the results will be personal and meaningful, and people can tell the difference.  By the end of Dave’s story, I wanted to take something home with me, a piece of Dave’s dedication, and a memento of his workmanship.  I chose a wallet and already, it’s been the centerpiece of several opportunities to share Dave’s life and message.  It’s only inspired me to continue to make product that shares a piece of ourselves.  That’s what it’s all about anyways, right?  Connecting.