Albert Ford reveals why he is so content with his life and his Oxford-based leather goods business

What was your first job and what did your responsibilities include?

As a 14-year-old delivering flowers for a florist on Madison Avenue, New York during my summer holidays How much was in your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?

I cannot remember, but I clearly recall that I had to give my mum half of it for house-keeping.

Describe how you career developed to the present day.

Almost 40 years ago I visited my brother Richard in New York — he was making leather belts for the kids in his neighbourhood. He let me make six belts and from that day on I became an artist/craftman (hippie leatherworker). I returned to Oxford and started doing the markets and have not stopped since.

What are the key responsibilities in your position?

Like any self-employed person I am responsible for all aspects of the business — designing, making, buying, selling, displays, training, organising, repairs, accounts, planning, etc. And I would not be able to manage it without my lovely and powerful Japanese wife Hiroko.

Describe a typical day

Up at 6am and, cup of tea in hand, I go into a work shop and do any repairs waiting to be done. Then I read the Oxford Mail with breakfast before going to the office to prepare orders and handle paperwork. At 11am I go into the shop to deliver the repairs and collect any more. I then work at the shop for a few hours hours before returning home and preparing for the next day.

Who/what have been the biggest influences on your career?

Stumbling across some leather and falling in love with the material and its many many uses, from musical instruments, to rope, to furniture, to clothing, to buckets, dolls, sports equipment/balls, shoes, bags, cases, buckets, belts — the list goes on and on.

What has been your best decision?

My best decision was to pursue a career going into retail selling leather products. Retail is so exciting and challenging. And the interaction with the public is magical and addictive.

And your worst?

My worst decision was not going into wholesale sooner. We launched our own collection of leather bags and cases last January called The Plain Leather Collection and its taken off like a rocket and it is enormous fun selling our bags around the country.

Do you run an apprenticeship scheme?

As soon as we move to bigger premises this June we will be looking for some one to be trained in leathersmithing.

What is the secret of good management?

It is the same as the secret to good selling — empathy. You have to be able to feel what other people are feeling. And to develop empathy you have to be able to listen. Listen to the feelings beyond the words and you must develop the ability to encourage. In other words you must sincerely care.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

I have a perfect work/life balance. My life is my work and my work is my life which of course naturally includes my family.

What are the biggest challenges facing your business today?

Business is always faced with many constantly changing challenges, the right product, the right price, the right staff, the right training, the right financial control, etc.

Is there anything in business that really irritates you?

No, I love it. I love the endless challenges I love the people, I love the action, and I love the product.

How do you see your company developing over the next five years?

We are presently negotiating for larger and better-located retail premises here in Oxford and this will develop a permanent home for the company.

What has been your most satisfying moment?

After some years of doing the markets and country shows my most satisfying moment was opening my first shop on the Cowley Road just off the Plain nearly 40 years ago. It was a very small shop and the rent was a £5 a week, cash. Can you believe it?

How much do you use social media and how effective is it?

We are still catching up on social media — it is slightly Greek to me but my ten-year-old daughter Masako is helping us. She is very chatty and loves the computer.

What is your attitude to the environment and do you have any green policies in place?

It is the same as our attitude to our community — we contribute to the improvement of both. We sell leather off-cuts for the Oxford Parenting Forum, Oxford Children’s Hospital and Families need Fathers.

What do you do to motivate your workforce?

We have a small intimate company and involve staff in all aspects of the business. We regularly have training sessions on product knowledge, sales and after care service. Our staff, just like our customers, know we care.

Is there any other job you would like to have done and why?

When I was small child I wanted to be a US Navy frogman. As a teenager I wanted to be an artist but studied at Aviation High School, New York. After high school, I did four years in US Air Force with the last year in Vietnam, then four years working for Pan American airlines. After that. I was a heroin addict for approximately seven years and then finally started to be the artist I wanted to be as a teenager, but with leather.

What would you like to do when you retire?

My life and business are exactly what I want to do for the rest of my days.