Sam McLeod

Author: admin

  • Building My Hedgehog Concept

     I’ve had more free time recently. So with this free time, I thought I might as well read some books to help me learn. There’s a book I was supposed to read that a lot of you guys probably know about called Good To Great by Jim Collins. I was supposed to read this for a business class I had a couple semesters ago, but I never really got around to it.

    And so with the free time I’ve had, I’ve been plugging away at it. And I recently just finished the other day, so I wanted to make a video and share some of my takeaways. Obviously the biggest one from the book is the Hedgehog concept. The hedgehog concept summed up is something that a company or a person can rely on to help them stay focused in their career, business or life pursuits so that they don’t get distracted by other means or their decisions or opportunities.

    And hedgehog concept is you see three circles that work together like a Venn diagram. One of them is what are you deeply passionate about? What drives your economic engine and what you can be the best in the world at Since reading this book I’ve worked on developing each circle for myself, what my economic engine is, what I’m really passionate about, not just oh, I like human performance and I like learning whatever it is, or I like business, but what makes me passionate?

    Like things like creation, innovation, creating opportunity for other people, impacting people’s lives. Those are things that can be molded and changed to different subjects. And it doesn’t just lock you in on one thing. And then also what can be the best in the world at, I’m still trying to figure that out,

    but reading this book and going through what it talks about has really helped me define more what I wanna do with my career and help me hone in on the things that I’m actually good at and the skills that I have that can be reputable and that can, help drive my economic engine, help create impact in the lives of those around me.

  • Why My Mom Named Her Leather Company “Whiskey Gap”

    The Story Behind Whiskey Gap Leather

    Every brand has a story, and for my mom’s leather company, Whiskey Gap Leather, the name itself carries generations of history, heritage, and meaning.

    The History of Whiskey Gap

    When early LDS Saints traveled north from Utah and the western United States into Canada, they crossed the plains, coulees, and rivers that stretched across the borderlands. Along their route was an area that would eventually become known as Whiskey Gap.

    The name came from a colorful chapter in border history: after the Saints passed through, others used the same route to smuggle whiskey across the border—sometimes hiding it in dead pigs or cows to slip past authorities. Over time, the place itself became known as Whiskey Gap, a rugged gateway along the Canadian–U.S. border in southern Alberta, near Montana.

    A Family Rooted in Ranching Life

    My mom grew up just outside this historic area, in a little town called Barnwell, only about twenty minutes from Whiskey Gap. Her parents—both ranchers—raised her in the thick of cowboy culture: cattle, pigs, crops, and combines were part of her daily life.

    Her father was more than a rancher, though. He was also a craftsman. He made spurs, belts, boots, buckles, saddles—just about anything that could be fashioned out of leather. When the ranch was eventually sold and the family moved into the nearby town of McGrath, that spirit of hard work and artistry stayed with her.

    Honoring a Legacy Through Leather

    Years later, my mom wanted to find a way to honor her father’s legacy. Inspired by the leatherwork he poured his time and skill into, she began crafting custom leather bags. Each piece she made was a nod to the tradition she grew up in, blending rugged practicality with timeless beauty.

    When it came time to choose a name for her company, Whiskey Gap felt like the perfect fit. It wasn’t just a place on the map—it was a story of migration, resilience, and heritage. It tied her work to her roots, and it gave her customers something more than just a bag: it gave them a piece of history.

    Whiskey Gap Leather Today

    Today, Whiskey Gap Leather continues to grow. My mom creates custom bags for customers across the country, working with individuals online and through partnerships with women’s boutiques. Each bag reflects the craftsmanship she inherited and the values she hopes to pass on: durability, authenticity, and a respect for the past.

    At Whiskey Gap Leather, you’re not just buying a bag—you’re carrying a story.