My Story
Hi, I’m Jesse, the person behind Guarded Goods!
I started this shop back in 2013 when I realized I needed a craft that allowed me to spend less time on the computer and more time doing something tangible with my hands. I bought a small set of tools from a local Tandy Leather store, a side of veg tan leather, and started teaching myself how to make simple goods (before there were any resources online of how to do it!). The early attempts weren’t great, but the process hooked me. I kept learning, kept improving, and kept finding satisfaction in making something that would last.
What began with hand-stitched wallets in a small apartment has slowly evolved into what Guarded Goods is today. Over the years I shifted the focus toward laces, boot kilties, belts, and other small goods that fit what I am passionate about and that can be reasonable made in the season of life that I am in. I don't have the luxury of spending 5-6 hours every night making many hand-stitched wallets like I used to. The business and scale has grown, but the foundation of why I started the business has not. Ultimately, I wanted to create and sell products that were made of high quality materials that would outlast what you can buy from anywhere else.
Guarded Goods is still a one-person operation. I run everything by myself in the very limited amounts of free time after a full day job and a busy home life with my wife and our three boys. Family comes first, so the time I spend on the shop has to count. That’s part of why I’m so selective about what I make and who I partner with. If I’m going to put time into a product, it needs to be something that holds up and feels worth owning.
Some items I still produce in limited batches. Others come from partners who share my values around quality, durability, and responsible craftsmanship. Whether I make it or source it, I stand behind every product that goes out the door, and I fulfill each order myself.
I’ve always appreciated goods that age well and stick with you. My hope is that the things you buy from me earn their place and become something you enjoy for a long time.
Thanks for being here and supporting a small maker. If you ever have a question or an idea, feel free to reach out. It’ll be me on the other end.
Jesse
Guarded Goods
High-quality materials chosen to outlast what you'll find anywhere else.
Core goods cut and finished by hand in Savage, MN — sourced partners are always disclosed.
Every product is stood behind, and every order is fulfilled, by me.
Wallets are cut out with precise cutting dies designed in-house. Belts are cut one at a time with my own hands. Every step of the production process is done by one person... me! If a product is not made by me or in MN, I will call that out on the product listing.
All leather goods have edges beveled, burnished with a burnishing agent and a beeswax/wax combination. For handstitched products, they are all sewn up one hole at a time with two needles and thread. All edges are finished to ensure they are sealed and last a lifetime.
You won't find any fulfillment by some big companies. Every label, package, and shipment is handled by me to ensure I have full control over the QA process.
The Promise
I’ve always appreciated goods that age well and stick with you. Whether I make it or source it, I stand behind every product that goes out the door — my hope is that the things you buy from me earn their place and become something you enjoy for a long time.
Let's Keep In Touch
Hear first when a new product launches or a rare batch drops. I'll only write when there's something worth your time.
