The Story of Popov Leather
High Quality Leather Goods, Made Honestly.
It’s hard to believe that what started as a hobby has blossomed into everything you see here.
In 2013, I picked up a leatherworking kit and bought some scrap leather. Countless late nights hunched over my dining room table were all in pursuit of one goal: To create a simple leather wallet that would fit in my front pocket. I made a few dozen crude prototypes, chiseling away at my design until it was just right.
It was my wife, Jill, who convinced me that I might not be the only person struggling to find the best front-pocket wallet for my needs. I posted my design online, and to my surprise, a lot of other people wanted that same simple wallet.
It has taken weeks of patience, months of practice, and years of learning, but this hobby has grown out of my dining room and turned into a thriving business that supports me, my family, and talented people in my community.
Every day I am fortunate to be in my workshop doing what I love. I’m even more fortunate to have found such an amazing group of hard-working people. We take enormous pride in what we make, and nothing leaves our workshop unless we know you’ll love it.
On behalf of the Popov Leather team, thank you for your support.
Ryan Popoff
Co-Founder and Maker
Featured In
A MILESTONE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
100,000 ORDERS AND COUNTING
On July 28th, 2023, Popov Leather reached a significant milestone, surpassing 100,000 orders, a feat acknowledged by Shopify with a special award. This achievement highlights our commitment to delivering quality and craftsmanship, where every order adds to our rich history of creating durable, handcrafted leather goods.
Meet The Team
Stacy
Favorite Popov Leather item?
I really love the book covers. They are all so simple, elegant and clean. The item you never knew you needed.
Favorite leather?
Shell Cordovan.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
I love the small business atmosphere that fosters a great balance for work and life. I love coming to work everyday feeling like I'm going to see friends, have gut-wrenching belly laugh attacks and leave feeling like I helped grow the company.
What's something we'd never guess about you?
One of my favorite things in the whole world is laying in bed and having the sheets thrown over like a parachute. Takes me back to childhood.
If you could jump into a pool full of something, what would it be?
Money.
Ryan
Favorite Popov Leather item?
The front pocket card holder. It was the first wallet I ever designed and I still carry it to this day.
Favorite leather?
Natural. It's the original Popov color for all our products.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
Working with a team of folks who are just as hard-working and passionate about leather goods as I am.
How do you feel about putting pineapple on pizza?
Disgusting. I like fresh pineapple, but can't stand it cooked.
Jill
Favorite Popov Leather item?
Front Pocket Cardholder. It's what i use myself daily.
Favorite leather?
Natural because it's our original leather color.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
Watching the business grow and evolve over time.
Is a hot dog a sandwich, and why?
Of course, it's between bread. Therefore it's a sandwich.
What's your worst bug-related story?
Having a lifetime of dealing with bugs because Ryan won't :P
Bob
Favorite Popov Leather item?
Belts. I love how each of our belt leathers change uniquely depending how they are used. Belts on Jeans, like the denim, gain comfort and character with every experience you take them through. Belts on dress pants age gracefully with a smooth softness. While our standard belts are a strong presence on any kind of pant, I also really like our business casual belts for a lighter feel on shorts in the summer.
Favorite leather?
English Tan: dynamic patterns and changes over time.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
Being part of a great team in a nice workshop.
What's your worst bug-related story?
Had wasps in my motorcycle helmet while on the highway.
In 40 years, what will people be nostalgic for?
Re-issues of re-issued vinyl reissues.
Althea
Favorite Popov Leather item?
The Tote Bag
Favorite leather?
Natural.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
Working with a team that acknowledges and appreciates efforts that motivates me to help more of our customers.
How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?
My favorite pizza flavor is Hawaiian. So, yes, I love it!
Is a hot dog a sandwich, and why?
Yep, because it's between two slices of bread!
What's your life's theme song?
Rather Be by Clean Bandit. Always get me in the mood and it's a true love song. I'll always believe in love!
Jazmyn
Favorite Popov Leather item?
Notebook Cover (A5) or I use our coasters at home on a daily basis! I also love our 5 card wallet.
Favorite leather?
Natural all the way - sometimes English Tan too!
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
Working with like-minded people, working with the leather as its something so interesting to work with and learn about continuously. Also creating products that I know will have meaning to our customers.
What is your worst bug-related story?
One time I was in an outhouse in the bush, I found two ticks in my hair and I came running and screaming out of there! I have never left an outhouse so fast.
How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?
It's good, if I'm in the mood but I don't put it on all pizzas like some people.
If you could jump into a pool full of something, what would it be?
Dried lavender/flowers.
Whitney
Favorite Popov Leather item?
Totes. I use one everyday and it is a great catch-all. It looks so nice with everything.
Favorite leather?
English Tan <3 It is my favorite because it's such a classic color. Driftwood is a close second.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
We have a great work environment and I enjoy coming to work. I especially enjoy doing QA (Quality Assurance) and making sure everything will be exactly what was ordered.
What's something we'd never guess about you?
Played roller derby for five years and competed at a national level.
Ashae
Favorite Popov Leather item?
The notebook covers.
Favorite leather?
English Tan - favorite to work with and Heritage Brown - favorite to use.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
Being a part of an intelligent team of people who collaborate to create a well thought-out workspace. I also love that I get to work with my hands and make beautiful things every day.
What is something everyone looks stupid doing?
Getting their passport photo taken.
How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?
No objections, it's a great topping option.
If you could jump into a pool full of something, what would it be?
Warm laundry fresh out of the dryer.
Meg
Favorite Popov Leather item?
The Card Holder - it's cute and really fun to make.
Favorite leather?
English Tan. Awesome patterns and tones.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
Learning and perfecting new skills amongst a super creative team where new ideas are always welcomed.
How do you feel about putting pineapple on pizza?
Yes. It's a majestic fruit and deserves to be on anything it has a chance to be on.
What is something everyone looks stupid doing?
Trying to find their way around in the dark. It's a real shame we can't actually see that. Since it's the dark.
If you could jump into a pool full of something, what would it be?
Rice. I love rice. I think it would need to be Aborio rice because it's nice and rounded. Basmati might hurt.
Cliff
Favorite Popov Leather item?
The Card holder. It's very simple and beautiful.
Favorite leather?
English Tan. It has a variety of color and character.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
The smell of leather in the Workshop. And vinyl Friday. I've become a big fan of vinyl Friday.
What's your worst bug-related story?
I saw a moth the size of a pigeon when I was in the army.
What's your life's theme song?
Like it - Jongshin Yoon. He is an amazing singer. He releases one song a month since April, 2010. I admire his consistency. Respect!!.
Sabine
Favorite Popov Leather item?
Traditional wallets. They’re pretty sleek and fun to sew.
Favorite leather?
Black for the simple fact that it’s the easiest to cut.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
I like the fact I can choose to have idle chit chat or quietly work by myself. Everyone is so accommodating of peoples work preferences.
If someone asked to be your apprentice and learn all that you know, what would you teach them?
Embroidery. I know it’s a bit of an old person hobby, but there are so many cool stitches and designs you can make.
What's your life's theme song?Rising Shepard tone.
Mikaela
Favorite Popov Leather item?
Valet tray! They're so useful for keeping things that I use every day in sight
Favorite leather?
Heritage Brown
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
The job keeps my hands busy, and everyone here genuinely seems to care about each other. It's a tight knit group :)
What is something everyone looks stupid doing?
Its a little weirdly specific, but trying to get in and out of booth seating at a restaurant
Is a hot dog a sandwich, and why?
I think a hotdog deserves to be a sandwich. Its a meat product and condiments between bread, does the shape of the ingredients really matter?
What's your life's theme song?
'Like the Movies' by Laufey
Jess
Favorite Popov Leather item?
I think right now it's the Leather Journal Covers!
Favorite leather?
Heritage Brown
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
Working with my hands and getting to work with like-minded, creative individuals! They sure know how to make the time pass :)
What is something everyone looks stupid doing?
Marnie Jumps, but I love it
What animal would be most terrifying if it could speak?
Birds, and they CAN speak. It's weird.
What's your life's theme song?
Embers - Ethan Hibbs
Reese
Favorite Popov Leather item?
The Card Holder for a sleek front pocket carry and the Apple Watch Strap to make your Apple Watch stand out like no other.
Favorite leather?
English Tan.
Favorite part about working at Popov Leather?
The people for sure. Nothing is better than coming to work excited to be part of such a great team.
What's your worst bug-related story?
I played airsoft in a wet field in Manitoba once and got so many mosquito bites that it looked like a had a 17th century disease.
If you could jump into a pool full of something, what would it be?
Something carbonated would be fun. You'd feel fizzy all around and you have something to drink while floating.
Our Core Values
Inside the workshop
A peek inside the day-to-day at Popov Leather. We're currently operating out of a renovated animal kennel measuring just over 1,400 sqft in size.
Every product that's ordered is made to order. That means we create every single order from scratch for our customers. From the time we receive an order, it gets cut from our full grain leather, assembled, sewn, finished, inspected and finally shipped. Each product we craft passes through many hands before it reaches a customer. There is nothing automated or fancy about what we do. The care and dedication to our work comes through in the final product.
Every email you send us, phone call you make, is answered by a member of our team. Someone who knows our products, who makes our products, and who uses our products daily. We wouldn't have it any other way.