Archive for the ‘business’ Category

They Get It, Vol. 2: Tanner Goods

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Thursday, August 12th, 2010

A few months ago the time came for a new wallet. I’d had my old one for something like ten years and it never should have lasted that long. It was a random Wal-Mart buy, originally intended only as a temporary replacement. Weirdly, it stuck around. Solidly for maybe seven or eight years, then I kept nursing it along. That it lasted as long as it did is actually kind of amazing.

Still, the time had come to go in a new direction. No more “cheap/disposable/temporary,” even if it might accidentally last. It was time to buy a real wallet. One I could carry proudly. Something well-made, stylish, trustworthy, and crafted in the US if possible.

I found all of the above at Tanner Goods.

I’m now a proud owner of this piece and couldn’t be happier. It’s beautifully constructed and a pleasure to carry. The profile is very slim at first, so much so that I had to remove some extraneous cards before carrying it. Three months in, though, it’s loosening up nicely. Think breaking in a new baseball glove — the process is much the same. It wears the way I wear it, which means it fits me and always will.

As for Tanner Goods, they’re doing things the right way all around. From their “about” page:

Our small team of craftsmen produce every piece by hand in our studios here in the Northwest. We utilize the same tools that have been put to work for decades manufacturing heritage leather goods, and in many cases have sought out antique equipment that produce the best results. All of our sewing is done by a heritage saddle maker who started as an apprentice in the industry in 1964. For the past 45+ years he has been honing his craft, and has been generous enough to pass along his knowledge and skill to the rest of our team.

When they say “every piece by hand,” they mean it. After I placed my order I emailed them a question about when I might expect to receive it (I was hoping to get it in time for a trip). They responded quickly and pleasantly with news that it would take some time because, well, they had to make it first. I’ve never felt better about waiting.

The price might seem high but what you get for it — the product and the craft behind it — is if anything a bargain. You know where your money is going (which you can’t always say) and you can be sure you won’t need another wallet for a long time. Hell, maybe ever.

Craftsmanship, folks. Love it.

(photo via the Tanner Goods site)

Posted in apparel, business, essentials, they get it | 1 Comment »

They Get It, Vol. 1: Taylor Stitch

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Monday, July 26th, 2010

Tayor_Stitch_architects_shirtOne of the main purposes of Gentlemanly Means Pursued, moving forward, will be to highlight people, products, and services that “get it.” I can’t say exactly what I mean by that other than to tell you that I know it when I see it. That elusive combination of style, value, craft, and care…it’s out there, and I aim to catalogue it for you here. As much as I can, anyway.

Take for example the folks out at Taylor Stitch, “a small, independent, San Francisco based outfit that specializes in crafting men’s button-up shirts.” There it is — the whole company summed up beautifully in one line. Great start. Add to that the fact that their shirts are all handmade in the USA and that they look great and, yeah, I’m on board.

I can’t remember how or when I first discovered them but I know the moment I became a fan: with this blog post about how they decided which buttons to use. Dig:

Our theory is that brands rarely talk about buttons because they do not put much thought into them. Not us. We pontificated over buttons for many days: plastic, wood, mother of pearl, synthetic plastic and mother of pearl… In the end, the four of us unanimously agreed that Corozo buttons were the only choice.

Fine-tuned interest in the oddities of detail is not in itself a guarantor of success, but it’s usually a pretty good sign. At the very least it’s a good way to tell whether or not you’re dealing with a kindred spirit.

In the interest of full disclosure, I don’t actually own a Taylor Stitch shirt (yet). I’ve got my eye on one of these but the budget doesn’t quite have room just now. Not that it’s overpriced — not at all. Quality costs extra, and that’s as it should be.

“They Get It” will be an ongoing series. More to come soon.

Posted in apparel, business, they get it | 8 Comments »

The One Bold Move Apple Hasn’t Yet Made

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Monday, July 12th, 2010

Apple logoBy now the culture of innovation and bold decision making at Apple is the stuff of legend. They simply have no peer, at least in terms of major corporations. It’s the reason Microsoft didn’t make iTunes. The reason Dell didn’t come out with the iPad and the reason nobody produced anything like the iPhone until the iPhone already existed. No other large company looks forward the way Apple does.

With that comes high expectations. Apple sets a certain standard and every time I buy one of their products I’m investing in the idea that they’ll not only continue to live up to it but exceed it as well. Lately, though, I’ve realized that they’re seriously lacking in one key area. They’re missing a giant opportunity to make a game-changing move that extends beyond their usual excellence in design, technology, and user experience.

Apple needs to open an American manufacturing facility. Ideally in Detroit, where the real estate and the workers are readily available and where the local economy and the American tradition both desperately need a boost.

Every time I buy a product manufactured overseas I feel a little guilty. I try (though not as hard as I could) to buy American-made goods when I can. Often, though, the option doesn’t exist. Go ahead and try to purchase domestically produced consumer electronics and see how far you get. It’s more than a little difficult.

There’s no reason it has to be that way. Even if things will never again be how they were it’s still possible — necessary — to recoup some of the losses. To that end, consider the following scenario.

Apple announces tomorrow that they’ve purchased a dormant facility in Detroit with plans to turn it into a high-end technology incubator. They’ll produce both internal prototypes and limited-run consumer goods. They’ll hire 500 workers and offer them comprehensive training and full benefits.

Who wouldn’t be excited by that?

They could then easily — and justifiably — charge a premium for American-made iPods or iPhones or products we haven’t even seen yet. Their customers are accustomed to paying a little more anyway. I’d bet many of them would pay a little more still to not only own the product but contribute in some small way to an American manufacturing renaissance.

Just as Apple has no major competition in terms of the design of their products (which, to be fair, is handled in America), opening up a domestic factory would set them apart. They’d generate a ton of goodwill and positive press. More importantly, they’d be doing something truly great and truly innovative.

Which is what they’re all about, right?

The opportunity is there. Apple is the right fit. If they don’t seize it, let’s hope someone does.

Posted in advice, business, icons, the american landscape | 8 Comments »