Check Out William Demarest Jr’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to William Demarest Jr

Hi William, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into leather goods began at the age of 29 with the desire to build a brand fueled by personal creativity. Before hand-made leather wallets became the foundation of my products, I often found myself daydreaming about the idea of entrepreneurship, what I would create, and how I would go about doing so. In my late teens to early twenties, my career path led me to become a production welder in outdoor/indoor furniture. Acquiring multiple welding certifications within the company, while being at this business for nine years came with its ups and downs, and many failed attempts to grow within the company, later to understand the significance which shaped me into the person I am today.

There was a time in my welding career when I wanted more than what I had achieved. I believed that my welding skills, and the adaptability to learn new equipment were so well-regarded, I could effectively lead others. I continued to apply for positions I felt capable of leading, even though many of those positions would take me out of my welding role. After many unsuccessful interviews, I maintained an optimistic approach and continued to apply for various positions. There came a time where there was opportunity to help out another area of the company. My interest grew quickly, I was eager to work with the other employees as I already had a friendly relationship with each of them. The small team of 7-8 employees was responsible for working with high-performance concrete. A start to finish process which included mixing and pouring premium concrete into large molds, demolding, cleaning and polishing, packaging, and preparing shipping labels. The process demonstrated handling raw materials, precise measurements, and attention to detail towards crafting a premium quality product.

After a year and a half spent learning my new role, I became efficient with the process to complete multiple products from start to finish. This led me to visualizing something more in me. Previously my dream of creating a tattooed inspired clothing brand had faded. In 2018 I bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle and rode with my friends, being wild and not making the best choices that I could’ve for myself but rather enjoying the freedom, risk, and adventure I was having. As the outlaw grew in me, the taste of music grew. My playlist of Kid Rock, Upchurch, Yelawolf, Struggle Jennings, and Jelly Roll was at the top of my list. I felt a relatable energy in their lyrics and melodies which made me feel a connection between my roots and lifestyle. A memory that still sticks with me today was from a time when my friends and I rode our motorcycles to Grand Rapids, Michigan to see Yelawolf, Struggle, and Jelly Roll, performed at the Intersection. What was special about that particular show was the inspiration it gave me. I felt in my gut that I wanted to be closer to their inspirational energy. I dreamt of myself hanging out backstage, not as a fan, but as someone that had earned their respect to be around. Little did I know that my future actions would forge my path from Battle Creek, Michigan to Nashville, Tennessee.

A new year came around, and as winter break ended, it was time to go back to work. Waking up, I had a tendency of scrolling through Instagram. While scrolling I came across a new post from Yelawolf showing his new alligator boots. The exotic cowboy boots instantly caught my attention that morning in bed. I thought to myself “how cool it would be to include leather belts, and leather wallets to match a pair of exotic cowboy boots”. After weeks of plotting out thoughts and ideas, I searched through the internet about handmade leather wallets. I began to visualize the functionality of a wallet and how to piece one together. In February 2020, I finally took the step to accumulate leather, and the basic tools needed to make a hand-stitched wallet. I bought everything I started with through Amazon and gradually searched the internet for leather craft suppliers and hardware for leather goods.
With little to no research, I began to test my imagination and crafting skills on my first wallet. Visualization must be my gift, because I didn’t care to draw up templates. I took the measure twice, cut once theory. With only a box cutter and my square, I measured out pieces of leather for my own ideal bi-fold wallet. I added a silk paisley print fabric for the inside to bring the style I envisioned, and I used a leather prickering iron which makes holes for the thread. As I began to hand-stitch the leather together, I would pay attention to the stitch pattern for a uniform line. Focused on the detail to quality, hand-stitching leather would bring on similarities from my welding practices. Being in the beginning stages of crafting wallets, I knew that I wanted to stamp my leather goods with my brand. I came up with Williams Handcrafted Co. As William is my name, I wanted others to know that I tend to live up to my name with standards and values. With past feelings of being undervalued for my work, I felt that bringing something tangible of my own into this world, would let others get to experience creativity and quality that only I can offer.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A worthwhile journey never begins on a smooth path, it has bumps and turns in the road, but as long as you keep moving your pursuing something. At the beginning of mapping out the road to build my leather good brand, I had a spiritual awakening, knowing what I really wanted for my life. I was aware that obstacles will make you or break you in not only entrepreneurship, but as well as in our quality of life. Truely, after 5 years of obstacles and challenges in pursuing my vision of crafting leather goods and brand building, I can proudly say I am not the person I am today without those challenges. There have been countless times that I have wanted to give up, felt doubtful, or unworthy to obtain such a thing. I learned in time to love the challenges presented to me, to not let struggles control the outcome, and to sharpen problem solving skills with lessons not failures.

My brand started by securing finances to support my journey from my welding career which I soon found myself let go from the company I spent the last 9 years of my life at. I didn’t feel upset about it, as this moment made me more driven to pursue my dream of creating my brand. I acquired a small 401k from being let go. This was enough to get by as I continued to keep my focus on creating leather wallets. Then unfortunately my first bump in the road came up. My Subaru had been having issues come to find out I needed to have an expensive engine repair done. I didn’t want to find myself without a vehicle, no job, and I hadn’t even paid off the Subaru yet. I felt so discouraged, at this point as my vehicle cost me thousands of dollars to get all new pistons as my car had been overheating. On the positive side, I knew I would have a reliable car once it was fixed to get me around. Little did I know that just a few months later an opportunity to travel to Nashville, Tennessee would take place as my next turn in the road. It was as if getting my car fixed was my first obstacle of testament in pursuing entrepreneurship. Despite losing a large amount of funds on this bump in the road I was clear about my goals and committed to maintaining my brand’s vision, regardless of the challenges that might arise.

Exposure to my craft on social media started to slowly grow. Before long I started selling my wallets to others from home through Instagram. After multiple trips to Nashville to deliver custom orders to buyers, I also consistently carried my ready-to-ship wallets with me to generate interest in my style and quality. I experienced a bit of success selling my ready-to-ship wallets, and found myself returning to Michigan with a paycheck that allowed me to continue crafting wallets. A newfound inspiration that made me feel aligned with my calling. As momentum was growing at a semi fast rate, soon I would handle new speed bumps and trials in my journey.

In June of 2022, I received some difficult news about my dad. I got a call one afternoon that my dad had a severe heart attack and that I was needed at the hospital. I lived fairly close to my parents and helped my dad around the house often, I knew his health had an ongoing situation that kept him disabled. My emotions of the possibility of losing my dad lingered in my mind as our relationship had been a rocky road between love and verbal abuse. When I got home from the hospital, it gave me a lot to reflect on. I felt haunted by childhood trauma and narcissistic behavior displayed by my dad. Despite this, he also demonstrated a capacity for great kindness and a big heart. I became distorted in my mix of emotions, and reacted out of anger and pain, punching a glass display case I showcase my wallets in. I punched the showcase with force, breaking my hand against the back wall of the case. During this difficult time, the support provided by my girlfriend reassured me that she is essential in my life. I proposed to her in early July 2022.
As my dad became stable enough to be watched over by hospice care at my parents home. This period made it challenging to concentrate on my craft. I was able to persevere by fulfilling custom orders with a cast on my hand while also spending time with my father. As his health became too much for the family to handle, he was admitted to the nursing home.

In 2023, numerous changes occurred in my life. Amidst the challenges concerning my father’s health, I also embarked on a self-development journey. To heal old inner wounds to discover deeper into my authenticity and identity. While simultaneously planning a wedding and developing my small business. In June, I married my wife, Brianne, as our wedding day was shared with love and grace. That day was one of the most memorable days of my life as I was able to share that day with my mother and father. My father was in good enough condition to attend the wedding in a wheelchair. But by August, I received a call in the morning saying that my dad had passed overnight. I felt at peace with myself knowing that he was no longer suffering. I accepted his fate and continued that very day to craft a leather wallet with him in mind. I created the “Thunderbird” themed long wallet that signifies power, protection, and strength in Native American symbolism. To me that symbol resembled my dad as he displayed those qualities in my life.

2024 was a challenging year for me to endure. My financial situation was hanging by a loose needle and thread from time to time. I needed to find a side hustle to keep pushing myself toward the goals I had set for my brand. I faced accumulating bills, minimal interest in custom orders, and struggled to even sell a few ready-to-ship wallets. The lack of funds to then reinvest in materials and supplies was diminishing the growth of the content I was sharing on social media. As the weight of problems continued to apply firm pressure on me more bumps continued to happen. My wife’s vehicle was breaking down, so she would use the Subaru to get to and from work. Thankfully I had my dad’s truck to drive. Then I nearly had the Subaru repossessed, which was the first for me. I had never been at this low of an income. I stayed steadfast with my beliefs and learned deeper into my values. I did various delivery gigs from DoorDash to Amazon Flex to get back on track with my bills. I dedicated hours sleeping in my dad’s old two door Chevy truck to secure a second route with Amazon Flex, as the distribution center was an hour’s drive from home. I learned in this time a deeper understanding of my integrity. I refused to let a setback dictate my outcome once again. The biggest goal I had set in 2024 was to finally have the Subaru paid off, and in December 2024, I accomplished just that. This took a lot of weight off my shoulders, but I have more to go, being that I need new tires and a front end alignment on the Subaru. So, I recently found an enjoyable part time delivery job in the town I live in. This job allows me to build relationships with customers and I get to build new interest in my craft as I share about what I do, and I don’t have to use my vehicle to do it. While challenges are inevitable, managing them with determination and resilience supports my confidence and reinforces my belief in my chosen path.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
All around, I am an entrepreneur. I build with my mind, not just my hands. The vision I have for my brand’s identity is originality. I bring to the table a style I call “Wucci_Made”. As Wucci being my artist’s name and based on my midwestern upbringing in the country and in the city, my style stands alone with a rockstar worthy vibe, and a refined taste of class.
I create hand stitched leather goods and upcycle clothing, specializing in leather wallets, belts and hats. I use premium leathers to uphold a standard of quality and sophistication, while prioritizing longevity and sustainability. I incorporate a variety of materials from sustainable sources, including exotic skins and silk fabric. Exotic skins lend a distinctive identity and texture to each crafted piece. While the silk fabric adds a design quality that is personalized to each piece.
What makes me proud of my craft is the meticulous attention to detail in every step, from start to finish. My work begins with raw materials, and through a careful process transforms into a luxurious, handcrafted treasure.
What distinguishes my craftsmanship from others is the attention to detail, I use a specific hole pattern for the thread to stand out, glossy and colorful edge paints, unique inlay and outlay designs sewn into the wallet’s cover, and a variety of exotic skins for added durability or texture. My crafted projects have included wallets, belts, clutches, hat bills, gun holsters, key chains, and leather trays. Customization can be full of endless ideas with building a collaboration through anybody’s own personality. It is my mission to give others a one-of-a-kind item to resemble their ownership.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I focus on the concept of personal branding, which involves cultivating the best version of myself. Through a growth mindset and integrity, I’ve developed perspectives identifying my core values in building my brand. Sustainability, accountability, competence, trust, and identity are the characteristics that uphold my brand’s standards. Aligning with that is providing excellent service to my clients which is of utmost importance to me. I strive to build trust through transparency in sharing ideas. I also follow up with clients and collaborators to ensure their satisfaction with their leather goods. Now, most of my business is from returning clients because I have built trust in my craft and the standards I uphold myself to. My online tag Wucci_Made goes deeper into meaning. While each letter displays a word which developed nine factors that contribute to my brand’s success.
Wisdom- The willingness to learn, research, and study.
Uniqueness- The courage to stand out from others.
Craftsmanship- To gain mastery by honing your skills with the use of your imagination (experimentation).
Connection- To collaborate with others on a similar energy frequency.
Identity- Your actions created from your intentions.
Manifest- The ability to match the energy of visualization, with the energy of effort.
Authenticity- Being aware of your behavior, to be aligned with your values and beliefs.
Dedication- Doing something over and over regardless of the results.
Evolve- To overcome through struggle (mental toughness).

Pricing:

• Ready made wallets – $175-800
• Custom Tier 1 – $200-450
• Custom Tier 2 – $450-750
• Custom Tier 3 – $750-1200+

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Williamshandcraftedco.com (FYI my website is currently unavailable at the moment and will be back up in March).
• Instagram: Wucci_made
• Youtube: Wucci_made