Meet A. L. Boomer

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to A. L. Boomer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi A. L. , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

Without question, my father. Dad was a Civil Engineer who took the plunge and started his own firm right before the market crashed in the mid-eighties. He hustled like you wouldn’t believe to survive and later thrive. He took extra jobs running rural water systems that the state of Texas had put in receivership on the weekends to bring in extra income. I went with him as a kid and mowed wellyards while he read water meters. I saw him do everything he could to make ends meet and take care of his family. As time passed, he was able to build his business into a success and could finally earn the rewards of his hard work. He died unexpectedly in 2018 as he was easing into retirement. How could I do anything but learn from his example and work hard? His work ethic is part of his legacy and I try to honor it and him every day.
My father-in-law also had an influence. He was an incredibly hard working man who provided a good life for my wife and mother-in-law. He passed away far too soon and was a man I deeply respected. I owe it to him to work hard and be a man he can be proud that his daughter married.
Learning from these two men who had such a great influence on me have translated into my goal of building SixGun Forge & Leatherworks into a successful and creative business.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My goal at SixGun Forge & Leatherworks is to make heirloom quality functional art that is influenced by my family’s deep roots in the Great State of Texas. When you purchase a product from me, know that it is imbued with dedication and a great love of leatherworking. I pour my blood, sweat, and tears into every product; and since I hand cut every piece of leather, sometimes there is more blood than intended. I want every client to fall in love with their purchase and use it for years. One of my favorite things to do is have a customer give me a beloved old pair of boots; maybe from a parent or grandparent; and let me turn it into a purse that can be enjoyed for years to come. It’s not just about payment for services rendered; I derive tremendous happiness from seeing a client’s eyes light up with joy when they receive their order.
I set up a booth at local Farmer’s and Artisan’s Markets around North Central Texas and very much enjoy meeting people, hearing their stories, and helping them find products that meet their wants and needs. I enjoy developing new products and constantly rotating my stock items so that every visit to my booth brings new products and designs.
I also accept custom orders on a limited basis. I’m a one-man shop with a day job so I can only take so many orders at a time. It is incredibly satisfying and validating to work with a client and to make their ideas into a finished product.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Be Humble and Willing to Learn.
You will never be the best. There will always be someone better. Be proud of what you accomplish, but never stop trying to improve. Find people with different ideas and ask questions. Ask questions of people who are better than you. What’s the worst that can happen? Don’t be afraid of trying new ideas/techniques/designs. Maybe they are failures, but there’s a lot of learning that happens in failing.

2. Work Hard.
You will never make a success if you aren’t willing to work hard. Give everything you’ve got in what you do 100% of the time. I know it’s a cliche, but practice really does make perfect.

3. Find Your Joy.
Love what you do. Even if you don’t love every step every time, love the process. If you don’t love it, you won’t give the effort you need to give in order to excel.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I’m answering these questions less than two weeks before Christmas. This IS my overwhelming time, trying to get the last of my Christmas orders complete and to my clients. That said, when I’m struggling with a design idea I can’t figure out or I’ve got a bunch of custom work on my plate, I take a break. I pour a glass of whiskey, put my feet up, take a few hours off, and relax. I’ve found that stepping away for a few minutes allows my mind to clear and I can often come up with a solution to a design issue. If it’s a stack of orders that need doing, I remind myself of how one eats an elephant: one bite at a time. I quit thinking about ALL I have to get done and just focus on one thing, then the next, then the next. Before long, I’m whittling down the stack of orders in no time!.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Don’t focus on the big picture all the time, just focus on one thing at a time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @sixgunleather
• Facebook: sixgunforge&leatherworks

Image Credits

Portrait – Tori Sue Photography
Products – SixGun Forge & Leatherworks