Case Study: The Maker's Journey

Leo uses the Ikigai for Innovators framework to find his sweet spot and move from hobbyist to artisan entrepreneur.

Leo synthesizes his insights into a powerful brand mission that guides his product creation.

Leo uses market sensing to find his specific audience: people who value 'buy it for life' quality.

Leo deconstructs his product idea to find the riskiest assumptions about quality, price, and demand.

Leo creates his first wallets and gets them into the hands of potential customers for honest feedback.

Based on feedback, Leo makes critical adjustments to his wallet design, materials, and features.

Leo blueprints his product ecosystem, from a small leather keychain to a high-end custom-made bag.

Leo translates the features of his products (e.g., full-grain leather, hand-stitching) into tangible benefits.

Leo confidently prices his goods based on materials, labor, and the value of lifelong quality.

Leo defines his launch goal: sell the first 20 wallets to get initial reviews and build momentum.

Leo uses authentic storytelling to communicate the craftsmanship and passion behind his brand.

Leo plans his product photography and Instagram content to build excitement for his launch.

Leo designs a memorable unboxing experience that turns a simple purchase into a special event.

Leo moves beyond just sales numbers and tracks metrics like conversion rate and customer reviews.

Leo creates an efficient SOP for packing and shipping orders to save time and reduce errors.

Leo brainstorms how to grow beyond direct-to-consumer sales by partnering with local boutiques.

Leo defines a role for a part-time assistant to help with production and shipping, freeing him up for design.

Leo sets a 3-year vision to become a recognized name in the handcrafted leather goods community.