Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
One ordinary dinner in Chicago led to the decision that completely flipped my life upside down. I didn’t plan it, I didn’t feel ready for it, and honestly… it terrified me.
But that moment became the start of everything I have today.
If you’ve ever felt stuck or wondered what happens when you walk away from the “perfect” path, watch this story from beginning to end. The turning point might surprise you.
TITLE: I made a simple (stupid) decision, that changed everything...
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CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — The Dinner That Changed Everything
A gloomy Chicago night, a $50 steak, and the moment I realized I was miserable in my “dream job.”
0:21 — The Corporate Dream That Wasn’t
$100k salary, top consulting firm, MBA… and complete burnout.
0:46 — The Silent Decision to Quit
At the dinner table, without showing emotion, I decide: I’m quitting.
1:00 — Fear, Doubt & The Next Morning
My inner voice panics, but I resign anyway. Relief hits instantly.
1:16 — Back to Square One: Uber Driving
I return to the only job I know—driving Uber—after spending years and money building a corporate path.
1:54 — Discovering Etsy & a Spark of Hope
I notice leather crafters selling personalized goods. My childhood around leather comes back.
2:27 — Teaching Myself Leathercraft
I learn from scratch, design my first wallet, and doubt anyone will buy it.
2:57 — The First Orders Come In
One by one, orders and positive reviews start to roll into my Etsy shop.
3:20 — The 13-Wallet Order That Changed Everything
A huge surprise order arrives. Joy turns to panic: do I even have enough leather?
3:53 — Crafting All Day With Ariel
We cut, stitch, stamp by hand. The leather barely stretches to the final piece.
4:32 — Hand-Delivering the Order at Night
Too late for the post office—we use my car to deliver it ourselves across Chicago.
4:46 — The Review That Gave Me Confidence
That order becomes the memory that gives me the courage to dream bigger.
5:00 — Turning Etsy Into a Full-Time Career
Within two months, Etsy hits full-time income. I quit Uber.
5:15 — Eight Years Later… Still Grateful
The same designs still sell. They’re still meaningful gifts. And they still bring joy.
5:36 — The Giftables That Last Decades
From travel wallets to journal covers—these items become part of people’s memories.
6:17 — The $50 Steak That Started It All
I reflect on how that moment pushed me toward the life I love.
6:37 — Giftables for Travelers & Thinkers
Introducing two collections:
• Explore — for adventurers
• Reflect — for writers & thinkers
7:08 — Why I Designed These Products
I don’t use social media; I explore and reflect. These products help me—and maybe someone you love—do the same.
7:17 — Where to Find Them
Giftables are available at atelierpegai.com under the Giftables Collection.
7:24 — Thank You & Final Message
Thank you for supporting my story and my craft.
Stay leathertained.
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SHOP LINK FOR MY BRAND
PEGAI (Buy our good-quality finished leather goods): pegai.com/.
- You may also buy them on Etsy: etsy.com/shop/PEGAI.
ATELIER PEGAI: atelierpegai.com
STOW LONDON: stowlondon.co.uk
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SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Follow me on my social media pages where I post content regularly.
TikTok: tiktok.com/@tanner.leatherstein
Instagram: instagram.com/tanner.leatherstein
Facebook: facebook.com/tanner.leatherstein1
---
BRAND REVIEWS PLAYLISTS
Wallet Reviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW8XE8IVaUjnBca6QFg1W2ZA
Bag Reviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW9XhH4rrAYrNorYgqKl9WwN
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OTHER HELPFUL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS
YouTube Shorts (Watch leather tips and tricks in less than a minute): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW_VFYDZvwatoi-Vdhc_IaKY
Leather Savvy (Learn more tips and tricks about leather to help you save money): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW-HURqFOCDWahDgIR56eedQ
20/20 of Leather Savviness (Learn more about the four phases you should consider before buying leather goods): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW-ys9p_c9CCw1btr9encOdT
Most viewed leather videos (Helpful and more entertaining content that viewers really loved): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW_FeEWPZwfFTG63_9r8cWwv
---
HOW TO CONTACT:
You may contact me on any of my social media accounts above or send me an email at tanner@pegai.com.
---
#handmadeleather #giftideas #tannerleatherstein
One ordinary dinner in Chicago led to the decision that completely flipped my life upside down. I didn’t plan it, I didn’t feel ready for it, and honestly… it terrified me.
But that moment became the start of everything I have today.
If you’ve ever felt stuck or wondered what happens when you walk away from the “perfect” path, watch this story from beginning to end. The turning point might surprise you.
TITLE: I made a simple (stupid) decision, that changed everything...
---
CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — The Dinner That Changed Everything
A gloomy Chicago night, a $50 steak, and the moment I realized I was miserable in my “dream job.”
0:21 — The Corporate Dream That Wasn’t
$100k salary, top consulting firm, MBA… and complete burnout.
0:46 — The Silent Decision to Quit
At the dinner table, without showing emotion, I decide: I’m quitting.
1:00 — Fear, Doubt & The Next Morning
My inner voice panics, but I resign anyway. Relief hits instantly.
1:16 — Back to Square One: Uber Driving
I return to the only job I know—driving Uber—after spending years and money building a corporate path.
1:54 — Discovering Etsy & a Spark of Hope
I notice leather crafters selling personalized goods. My childhood around leather comes back.
2:27 — Teaching Myself Leathercraft
I learn from scratch, design my first wallet, and doubt anyone will buy it.
2:57 — The First Orders Come In
One by one, orders and positive reviews start to roll into my Etsy shop.
3:20 — The 13-Wallet Order That Changed Everything
A huge surprise order arrives. Joy turns to panic: do I even have enough leather?
3:53 — Crafting All Day With Ariel
We cut, stitch, stamp by hand. The leather barely stretches to the final piece.
4:32 — Hand-Delivering the Order at Night
Too late for the post office—we use my car to deliver it ourselves across Chicago.
4:46 — The Review That Gave Me Confidence
That order becomes the memory that gives me the courage to dream bigger.
5:00 — Turning Etsy Into a Full-Time Career
Within two months, Etsy hits full-time income. I quit Uber.
5:15 — Eight Years Later… Still Grateful
The same designs still sell. They’re still meaningful gifts. And they still bring joy.
5:36 — The Giftables That Last Decades
From travel wallets to journal covers—these items become part of people’s memories.
6:17 — The $50 Steak That Started It All
I reflect on how that moment pushed me toward the life I love.
6:37 — Giftables for Travelers & Thinkers
Introducing two collections:
• Explore — for adventurers
• Reflect — for writers & thinkers
7:08 — Why I Designed These Products
I don’t use social media; I explore and reflect. These products help me—and maybe someone you love—do the same.
7:17 — Where to Find Them
Giftables are available at atelierpegai.com under the Giftables Collection.
7:24 — Thank You & Final Message
Thank you for supporting my story and my craft.
Stay leathertained.
---
SHOP LINK FOR MY BRAND
PEGAI (Buy our good-quality finished leather goods): pegai.com/.
- You may also buy them on Etsy: etsy.com/shop/PEGAI.
ATELIER PEGAI: atelierpegai.com
STOW LONDON: stowlondon.co.uk
---
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Follow me on my social media pages where I post content regularly.
TikTok: tiktok.com/@tanner.leatherstein
Instagram: instagram.com/tanner.leatherstein
Facebook: facebook.com/tanner.leatherstein1
---
BRAND REVIEWS PLAYLISTS
Wallet Reviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW8XE8IVaUjnBca6QFg1W2ZA
Bag Reviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW9XhH4rrAYrNorYgqKl9WwN
---
OTHER HELPFUL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS
YouTube Shorts (Watch leather tips and tricks in less than a minute): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW_VFYDZvwatoi-Vdhc_IaKY
Leather Savvy (Learn more tips and tricks about leather to help you save money): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW-HURqFOCDWahDgIR56eedQ
20/20 of Leather Savviness (Learn more about the four phases you should consider before buying leather goods): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW-ys9p_c9CCw1btr9encOdT
Most viewed leather videos (Helpful and more entertaining content that viewers really loved): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Et-RLMPW_FeEWPZwfFTG63_9r8cWwv
---
HOW TO CONTACT:
You may contact me on any of my social media accounts above or send me an email at tanner@pegai.com.
---
#handmadeleather #giftideas #tannerleatherstein
