How One Bag, A Bullfight, And A Hundred-Dollar Apartment Sparked A Purpose-Driven Company with Dave Munson

#195 - A bull charges, a crowd roars, and a young teacher in Mexico says yes to the ring. That same man later sleeps on a bare floor in Juarez with his dog, ships bags at night, and turns a sketch into a company people chase through airports. Meet Dave Munson, founder of Saddleback Leather, whose path blends risk, faith, and relentless craft into a life that refuses shortcuts.We dig into the moment he drew the first “Indiana Jones” bag, why strangers wouldn’t stop asking for it, and how a $100 apartment, bus-station pickups, and stubborn standards turned into a brand with a 100-year warranty. Dave shares blunt truths on pricing and materials, the discipline behind quality control, and the sacrifices most never see—waiting to marry, choosing grit over comfort, and protecting a business from the quiet temptations of cutting corners. His leadership lessons are disarmingly personal: court your spouse, encourage everyone, and help others win. Success, he argues, starts at home.Faith threads through everything. Dave talks about praying boldly for “the coolest,” from a 1971 Land Cruiser rack to a headquarters built from compressed leather bales. He explains how purpose shapes operations—building a factory in Mexico, launching a homeschool program for employees’ kids, reopening an English institute, and sponsoring students in Rwanda and Uganda. Travel becomes marketing with a soul: crocs tug-of-war on a bag, shark dives on a honeymoon, and a simple stopover hack that turns Africa routes into Morocco detours at no extra cost.We close by redefining adventure. Dave bans the word in branding and lives it instead: choose the unknown, trust that you’ll figure it out, and let curiosity steer the map. If you care about craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, service, and stories that actually happened, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves quality over hype, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway—what bold step are you ready to take next?To learn more about Dave and maybe get yourself or a loved one a gift check out www.saddlbackleather.com and you can follow him on Instagram as well @saddlebackbags.Be sure and follow me on Instagram as well to see some clips from the show and to get to know the personal side of yours truly! Check out @journeywithjakepodcast. Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure.