Local Dad Channels Hobby Into $100K Amazon Handmade Biz

HOUSTON, TX — John Leslie was just like a lot of other dad's in America who've raised great kids, who it seemed were involved in numerous activities, especially in sports.

"We were busy all the time," he said.

But it all stopped 7 years ago when his youngest went away to college, and John and his wife found themselves with a lot of spare time.

Sitting in the recliner to pass the time wasn't on Leslie's radar with his daughters now out of the house, he said. He had to find something to do.

"That's what got me started," Leslie said. "It steamrolled from there."

He'd always enjoyed wood working, and while visiting a trade show one day, he spied a laser cutter.

He bought the least expensive one he could find and he started a brand-new chapter to help him pass the time.

He created a few wooden bowls and eventually began creating personalized Christmas ornaments, which became very popular items.

"As you can imagine, those are only popular October, November, and December," he recalled.

He created and launched John Leslie Studios, and began taking online orders

However, he needed to branch out and fill in the rest of his calendar.

Leslie began creating intricate wooden earrings that he would design and then cut with a laser cutting tool.

It didn't take very long for Leslie's handcrafted wooden earrings to become popular, and he found himself busier than he ever imagined.

Most of those earrings are made from maple or mahogany, and can be stained almost any color.

It was a great thing, and it still is for this empty-nester dad.

In 2015, Amazon Handmade heard about Leslie, about selling his custom-made jewelry and ornaments through the Amazon fulfillment centers.

Leslie became one of the first artisans to sign on.

"It just blew up," he said."I had no idea what to expect, but it exceeded my wildest expectation."

He gets orders from all over the world, and has filled some from as far away as Australia.

He has about 40 different designs, too, he said.

One of his newest and most popular designs is the cactus earring, which was suggested to him by a friend.

"I would never in my life thought to make cactus earrings," he said.

But they are selling well along with everything else he makes.

As a result, John is now busy all the time. He just didn't think it would be this much fun.

"I don't have the ambition to take over the world," he said. "I'm real happy with the business that I have."

To learn more or place an order, click here

Image: John Leslie Studios

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