MOVE: Q&A with Matt Foster, Owner, Maverick Leather Company

BEND, Ore. – September 6th, 2016 – While showing us a 50-year-old milling drum used to soften leather, Matt Foster, Owner of Maverick Leather Company, talked to EDCO about the successful relocation of his business, his family and his entire team from Petaluma, California to Central Oregon over the summer.

EDCO: Tell us about Maverick Leather Company. Maverick Leather Company became a reality in June 2006. Although we’re still a relatively new company, I’ve been in the “leather world” for over 30 years. Maverick Leather prides itself on our ability to attain hard to find leathers and job lots. We offer a versatile selection from Horween to Latigo & Bridle to Upholstery Leather and everything in between. At Maverick Leather, customer service is our #1 priority and we enjoy building a personal relationship with each customer. Everybody has a story to tell.

EDCO: Why did you decide to relocate to Central Oregon? It was a lifestyle and personal decision. My son, James, had been here attending flight school for about a year. We came for a visit and there was an instant connection with the area. Then, we did some research and realized there weren’t any other companies in Central Oregon doing what we do. Since we can run this business anywhere, we thought “Why not here?” But, I was still a bit hesitant to take the leaf of faith and it was my daughter, Erin, who was the one to convince me to move the business, the family and all our employees. She is responsible for reigniting my passion. She is the “glue” and also an owner. Without her, we would not be in Bend.

EDCO: Any advice for companies moving to the area? Call EDCO! They helped us with contacts for accounting, legal advice, banking, technology, and commercial brokers, who found us the perfect warehouse space. We couldn’t have done this without them.

EDCO: Where do you see Maverick Leather five years down the road? With the “craft movement” in this country really taking off, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing. There’s a real demand for our leather. We have customers, large and small, from all over the country buying it to make saddles, shoes, boots, wallets, purses, portfolios, belts, and many other things. Combine this with our knowledge and exceptional customer service and we’ve carved out a great niche. There may be an opportunity to expand our cutting operation and cut custom shapes for our customers, but we’ll see what happens down the road.

EDCO: Anything else you’d like the community to know about Maverick Leather? Yes, we want the community to know that we’re happy to be here! And, if you’re interested in leather, our doors are always open. Our staff is amazing and no job is too big or too small for us.

We’ll also be having a Ribbon Cutting and Open House on Thursday, November 5, from 3-7 p.m. to celebrate. We hope people will stop by and say hello!(EDCO note: Maverick Leather is located at 63055 Corporate Place, Space #6. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about Maverick Leather, visit their website.)