Influence and Introspection w/ Brandon Corral, Swift Hammer Leather | Beyond the Workbench #14

How do you build influence while staying true to yourself? This episode explores ego, identity, and what it takes to create genuine community in the leathercraft world.

In Episode 14, Brandon Corral of Swift Hammer Leather shares his journey of studying human attention, mastering social algorithms, and building spaces where artists can actually connect. From his cross-country move to New York to teaching business classes at major industry shows, Brandon challenges traditional approaches to maker business growth. We discuss being the "oddball" in your industry, turning social media into real community, the role of ego in creative growth, and why his Discord is intentionally not a business front - it's a safe haven for artists.

GUEST: Brandon Corral
Owner of Swift Hammer Leather, specializing in experimental leathercraft and content creation. Brandon has built a business by mastering social media strategy, teaching maker business classes, and creating intentional online communities where artists can share their struggles and wins.

Instagram: @swifthammerleather
Discord:   / discord  
Website: SwiftHammerLeather.com

TIMESTAMPS:
00:12 - Meet Brandon Corral
03:16 - The Move from California to New York
05:33 - Experimental Content & Studying Human Attention
14:48 - The Role of Ego in Creative Growth
21:33 - Being Different in a Homogenous Community
35:42 - Swift's Discord Community - A Safe Haven for Artists
42:19 - Teaching Business Classes at Shows
48:55 - SEO & Selling Your Work Online
1:07:40 - Challenging Norms While Building Community
1:09:12 - How to Find Brandon & Join the Discord

WATCH THIS EPISODE:
   • Influence and Introspection w/ Brandon Cor...  

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1boT5AB...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
All Platforms: https://www.beyondtheworkbench.com/

CONNECT WITH US:
Odin Clack - Instagram: @odinleather
Michael Magnus - Instagram: @magnusopus
Beyond the Workbench - Instagram: @beyondtheworkbench

ABOUT BEYOND THE WORKBENCH:
A podcast exploring leathercraft, entrepreneurship, and modern maker life. Hosted by Odin Clack (owner of Odin Leather Goods) and Michael Magnus (leather historian and marketing expert), new episodes drop every other Thursday.

#BeyondTheWorkbench #Leathercraft #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #MakerBusiness #ContentCreation #SocialMediaStrategy #CommunityBuilding #SwiftHammerLeather