In this Commerce Roundtable San Diego session, Curtis Matsko (CEO) and MacCoy Merkley (CMO) of Portland Leather Goods share how they turned a small garage project in Portland, Oregon into a $200 million brand built on vision, creativity, and resilience. They reveal how clear leadership, authentic storytelling, and bold marketing decisions helped shape one of the most beloved leather goods brands in the U.S.
Curtis also opens up about his personal journey of overcoming addiction, showing how hope and compassion can transform both life and business. Their story is a powerful reminder that success comes from staying adaptable, leading with heart, and never losing sight of your purpose.
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00:00 Introduction to Marketing Strategy
02:00 Personal Story: Overcoming Adversity
05:53 Founding Portland Leather Goods
10:49 Marketing and Manufacturing Synergy
16:50 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19
18:51 Venturing into the Shoe Business
20:09 Doubling Returns and Customer Behavior
20:27 Challenges with Returns and Inventory
20:56 Marketing Insights and Leadership
22:53 Successful Product Launches
27:16 Learning from Failed Launches
30:49 Q&A Session
37:33 Final Thoughts on Helping Others
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Follow Curtis Matsko at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-matsko/
X: https://x.com/CurtisMatsko
Follow MacCoy Merkley at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maccoy-merkley-95146815b/
X: https://x.com/MacCoyMerkley
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