WHY WE MAKE

I've always been drawn to creating art with natural elements. There’s something deeply satisfying about shaping real materials to reflect both beauty and function. As a creative person, I’ve often struggled with staying organized, but instead of fighting that, I looked for a way to harness my creativity into something both expressive and grounding. That’s when I discovered journaling.

Journaling quickly became a central rhythm in my life, something that tethered me to the real world when I got lost in the clouds. It helped me stay rooted throughout high school, college, and especially when I met my beautiful wife, Hannah.

During a season of long-distance dating, I suggested that Hannah and I each keep a journal, switching them every time we visited one another. Those pages quickly filled with stories, love letters, drawings, and memories full of small but meaningful ways we invested in each other from across the country.

For Hannah’s last birthday before our wedding, I wanted to give her something truly special, something that would last and grow more beautiful with time. To honor that season of our lives, I decided to learn how to handcraft a custom leather journal.

From the beginning, I was committed to two things: using real full-grain leather and making sure the journal cover was refillable so it could be used for years to come. That gift became the first version of what is now known as The Visionary. Ever since, it’s been a part of our family. Used to keep her wedding vows, as a prayer journal, and even a scrapbook. Hannah’s Visionary has, and will, stand the test of time.

I had no idea that one journal would be the beginning of a business, one that would carry me through college and into a career in craftsmanship. I’ve learned so much over the years, and I’m sure I’ll never stop. But no matter what changes, I’ll always be inspired by and committed to creating handmade goods with heirloom quality.