Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Sigler.
Hi Travis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery in 2017, creating a unique blend of medieval fantasy and my love of handmade leatherwares and artisanal crafted mead. We started out in a very small shop, moved to a basement style tavern for 6 years, and as of 206 we have moved into a standalone building that actually looks like castle and are one of the top destinations for Oregon!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Literally every year has been a struggle. We did not start with any capital and everything we have built has been from blood, sweat, and tears. It took us years to get really going, but we have an amazing community who has helped us. Every location we have been in has been a struggle to get going. We built out the entire basement tavern vibe over a summer, in an old building that had so many problems ranging from sewer leaks, rotten wood, and a space that had been heavily neglected for a decade. Recently we moved to this new building but it was a blank canvas, so we essentially had to build out our entire space again, on a bigger scale. Funding has always been the number one struggle. We are in an economy where so many small businesses are dying and going out, people are spending less, and the rich get richer and us small folks often pay the price. But we have an amazing community that has gotten us through all the dark times and that is the most important thing!
A massive shout out to Venus Ausmus, Sveinn Kjartansson, Keaton White, Zach Calwhite, James, Tanner, Randy, Jewels (Ishura), Daron, and so many others for the months of work this year helping build the new castle location for months. I dont think we would have made it without your contributions helping, and I am eternally grateful. I love you all! People need to know how much I appreciate these folks in my life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist by trade and have evolved into a small business entrepreneur. I make all my leather goods by hand and some pieces have even made it onto film sets and shows such as Vikings, Vikings Valhalla, How To Train Your Dragon, and a few others. I am also the mead maker behind our company, and our brand is starting to gain a worldwide following with fans all over. I think I am most proud of the entire Theoden armor my Buddy Keith Grigg and I created for our dear friend and cosplayer Jack Blair. That entire armor suite was replicated with some insight from Weta Workshop who did the original piece and was a pure gift from us to Jack who cosplayed Theoden for years. I think my drive to keep going sets me apart from others. I have been beat down so many times, but the important thing is to just get back up.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support us by visiting our castle tasting hall in Milwaukie, Oregon located at 13207 Se Mcloughlin BLVD or by ordering our mead online! We can ship our product to most states. You can also follow us on social media such as Instagram or Facebook. Look up Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery or go to Wyrdleatherandmead.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wyrdleatherandmead.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyrdLeatherandmead
- Other: https://linktr.ee/wyrdlm
Image Credits
Venus Ausmus, Sveinn Kjartansson, Travis Sigler
