Michael Stricklin, graduate student in structure and design, has been making quality leather goods for more than two years and doesn't plan on stopping.
His company, Loyal Stricklin, started small, but has grown and been noticed by so many people that it keeps him up most nights.
"I'm doing school every morning until pretty much noon, then I come out to Opelika and work until about midnight every night," Stricklin said.
RC Hagans is an artist who rents out a studio in Opelika and works with Stricklin.
Hagan said he admires Stricklin's approach to his art.
"He's got a really great work ethic," Hagans said. "So many times people are like, 'Oh, let me come hang out and draw with you' and they just wanna sit there and drink beer and gossip. But Michael is down to get down to work, and so am I. We motivate each other."
With an undergraduate in Auburn's acclaimed architecture department, it isn't surprising that Stricklin's parents want him to pursue a job as an architect.
However, Stricklin said the more he does with Loyal Stricklin, the less appealing the idea of being an architect seems to him.
"I'm getting tired of the late nights, so if I were to go and get a full-time job then that would just leave even less time for myself," Stricklin said.
Stricklin has experimented and challenged himself with all the potential leather holds.
"I just tried to make a new design every week for a while until I found the ones that worked," Stricklin said.
Stricklin has worked with different qualities of leather while trying various techniques and stitching. He has also collaborated and learned from other leather workers over the years he's been in the business.
"If you're doing it right, you're doing a product unique enough and you shouldn't feel threatened by anyone else [in the business]," Stricklin said.
According to Stricklin, an upcoming collaboration with an Alaskan artist will feature bear knuckles.
Stricklin said he has used social media and the Internet to successfully to promote Loyal Stricklin.Various prominent Instagram accounts have featured Stricklin, getting his name and product out to thousands of customers from multiple countries that may never have seen his products.
"The Internet makes it very possible to run a relatively small business but be doing very big things," Stricklin said.
But before he started selling his product from Canada to California, Stricklin was picked up by local retailers, including The Overall Company in Opelika.
"He's great," said Ali Maloney, one of the founders of The Overall Company. "We bought some Christmas presents from him; I bought my husband a wallet, and my other business partners have his wallet. He's got great stuff, and I love that he's always coming out with new products."
Follow Stricklin on Instagram at @loyalstricklin to see all of his latest products.
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