Overall:
I learned a lot about myself in this project as well a lot about business. I learned how to properly manage and run a business. I learned a lot about advertisement and how to reach out to the proper crowd.
Future Job:
This project more than anything gave me great people skills. People skills are a must for a lot of jobs but especially for a counselor. Knowing how to read people and being comfortable enough to answer and ask questions is super important for being a counselor. This skill I gained will help me grow this current leather business and help me in my future career.
What I learned in detail:
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This project really helped me grow my business in a different direction. This helped me realize that no matter what is it, I can accomplish it. When I first started this business I never thought I would be building custom chaps. Now that I have accomplished this I feel like my dreams for this business is endless.
Since I had never created or made chaps before, it was a struggle to get going. I had to do a lot of research in the best made chaps. I talked to a lot of cowboys I knew and asked them what they liked and didn't like in their chaps. I wanted to make the best overall pair of chaps possible. I then found someone who had made chaps before and got a pattern for them. He stepped me through the basic steps and then I added my own little twists and details to make them how I wanted.
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My goal was to make and complete two pair of chaps. I accomplished this goal and now have confidence in this area. Because of this project I now make chaps regularly and it is the biggest item I do. There were times I didn't think I was ever going to finish and had to redo a lot of things. But with a lot of time and hard work I accomplished what I set out. I am really proud of my work and how they turned out.
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I am glad I was pushed by SUU's Edge center. They made me be more creative and push myself to limits I didn't even know I could go to. I was really stressed at times trying to keeping out with school, work, rodeo, and leather work. But it turned out good in the end and I am glad I did what I did. Very challenging process but so much good came out of this project, emotionally and physically. I became confident in my work and now know I can do things I have never done before. Physically my hands can create beauty and something to last people a life time. In the end I finished the chaps and benefited from this project so much and that is what matters.
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