Pivot, Prosper, & Persevere
Joe Meling
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About This Podcast
Follow along as we visit with entrepreneurs ranging from main street makers to international business owners. The stories are diverse but the principal is that same. There is a certain mental toughness that comes with entrepreneurship. Some people have it going in, some develop it along the way, while others get discouraged and quit before reaching their full potential.
When we face troubles and bumps in the road, its helpful to pull strength from another person's testimony. If someone has made it through something similar to what you're facing then that's proof enough that you can do it too. Even stories from other industries can parallel the struggles, thoughts, emotions, and situations that you have or might run into.
Join us as we pull strength and encouragement from amazing people willing to share their stories, setbacks, and strategies.
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Recent Episodes
Why Beginner Leather Crafters Get Discouraged
In this episode, I’m talking about why beginner leather crafters often get discouraged and how managing expectations can make a big difference. We’ll look at skill growth, project quality, business…
5 Things We’ve Learned The Hard Way While Running A Family Business
In this episode, Marti and I sit down to talk through five lessons we’ve learned the hard way while running a family business. We share an honest look at what it takes to build a business together,…
Making The Most of Your Time
In this solo episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, we’re diving into one of the biggest excuses that holds entrepreneurs back: “I just don’t have enough time.” The truth is, we all get the same…
Surviving The First Year of Business
It’s not the desire to start a business that gets the job done. The willingness to take a chance and the resilience to push forward when it’s hard is what actually leads to success. Scott set out a…
Success Isn’t Talent—It’s Skill Stacking
Most people think success in leathercraft comes down to talent—but that belief is exactly what holds them back. In this episode, we break down the real path to growth: skill stacking. From learning…
The Reality of Owning a Business: Discipline Over Freedom
What does it really take to run a business? In this episode, we sit down with a second-generation business owner who grew up in the trenches, stepped away, and came back to take the reins. We talk…
Your Brand Is More Important Than Your Logo
Most beginner leathercrafters think branding starts with a logo—but that’s not what actually drives sales. In this episode, I break down why your brand is really your reputation, whether you’ve been…
The Pricing Mistake That’s Quietly Killing Your Craft Business
If you’re not consistently reviewing your pricing, your craft business could be losing money without you even realizing it. In this episode, I sit down with a professional machinist from the metal…
The Secret to Standing Out in a Crowded Leathercraft Market
Does it feel like it’s hard to stand out and sell in a crowded market? In this episode, I break down why low barrier of entry products create crowded markets and what you can do to stand out. Whether…
How to Grow Your Leathercraft Business Faster by Focusing on ONE Product
If you’re trying to grow your leathercraft business and feel like you’re spinning your wheels, this episode is for you. One of the biggest mistakes beginner leathercrafters make is trying to build…
How to Go Full-Time in Leathercraft (Without Making More Money First)
If you’re trying to figure out how to go full-time in your leathercraft business, you might be focusing on the wrong thing. Most makers believe they need to increase their income first—but in this…
Why Your Leathercraft Isn’t Selling (And How to Fix It)
If your leathercraft business isn’t getting sales, the problem might not be your product—it’s your marketing. In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I break down the biggest mistake…
From Employee to Entrepreneur: How Betting on Himself Built a Business and a Life with Time for Family
What happens when you stop being “just a number” at a company and decide to bet on yourself? In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I sit down with an entrepreneur who walked away from the…
How to Turn a Side Hustle Into Your Retirement Job
In this episode of the Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere Podcast, we explore how a side hustle can become the perfect retirement career. Today’s guest spent years serving as a firefighter while quietly…
The #1 Marketing Advantage Most Crafters Are Ignoring
If you run a handmade business and feel stuck trying to grow, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I break down the biggest marketing advantage most…
From Apprentice to Entrepreneur: Don Gonzales on Building a Leather Business
In this episode, Joe Meling sits down with Don Gonzales to talk about what it really takes to build a successful leathercraft business — starting with apprenticeship and ending with marketing that…
How Entrepreneurs Build Reputation From Scratch
What happens when you bet on yourself — with zero experience and zero contacts?In this episode of Pivot, Prosper, and Persevere, I sit down with Steven Van Plew to talk about what it really looks…
Your Don’t Need The Skills - You Need The Courage
You don’t need all the skills before you start - you need the courage to take the first step.This entrepreneur stepped far outside his comfort zone and built businesses he had no formal training to…
How to Run a Side Hustle Without Losing The Joy You Started With
Many people fear treating their hobby as a business because they don’t want to lose the joy they had in it to start. A business is what you create it to be and it can’t steal your joy unless you let…
S1E4 Why a Career Pivot is Not a Failure & How to Use Past Skills
Many people stay stuck where they’re at due to a fear of failure. Failure is a perception and a decision. Making a pivot on your career is not a failure when done in the right way. There is a lot of…
Frequently Asked Questions
Pivot, Prosper, & Persevere has published 24 episodes since January 2026, covering topics in Business, Crafts.
Pivot, Prosper, & Persevere is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 26m.
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