Conor Holden from Dublin was working in a dead-end job at a grants office in England in the late 1980s when he came across a student's application for a course in leather-goods production at the London School of Fashion.
"It just jumped out at me. I had considered opening a health-food shop or doing some work in carpentry - neither of which really inspired me. I was immediately interested in leather and filled in a grants application form for myself."
He made leather pieces at his office desk while other workers chatted among themselves during the two-month quiet period at County Hall.
Conor received his first commission from a co-worker who needed leather coverings for his tools. This boosted his confidence making him feel that a life working with leather was a feasible option.
The following year, Conor started the course and began to learn his trade at the only specialist leather school in England.
He travelled back to Dingle, Co Kerry, for his summer holidays and spent time with his uncle who was a teacher in the town.
He immediately realised the potential of a craft village being developed by former Kerry footballer Ogie Moran and entered into negotiations with his group.
In January 1989 he bought a sewing machine and benches, working solidly between classes to make products for the new venture.
He eventually moved from the craft village into Dingle town.
"At that time we represented the only real alternative to the shamrock and the shillelagh," he says.
The tanneries of England and later the leather fairs of Paris and Bologna became regular haunts for sourcing leather.
"You can spend so much money at the fairs because some of the leather is just wonderful. But I think my partner Claire and I have a good sense of what is top quality leather. We like to source the best possible leather for our products."
Over the last eight years Conor's style has developed and refined to such an extent that he is considering approaching Harrods of London.
While in the past he produced work for Penhaligans that sold at Harrods, Conor says next time round expect to see it under the Holden banner.
His latest work, in production at the Schoolhouse, Dingle, will be launched nationally later in the year.
Apart from partner Claire and himself, Conor now employs eight people producing travel bags, briefcases, purses, wallets, belts and handbags.
The company also works on orders for miscellaneous products, such as holders for napkins, bedposts and picture frames.
"We are developing a whole collection of leather tablemats, napkin rings and room folders for a local hotel. We like to do new and innovative things - just to stretch ourselves."
The company also produces corporate gifts for clients who include the Department of Foreign Affairs, AIB, Bank of Ireland and Murphy's Brewery.
During the Irish Presidency of the European Union, Holden briefcases were presented to the heads of each member state and 500 Presidential representatives received leather note pads.
When U2 were given the freedom of Dublin city last year, they received their scrolls in leather cases made by Holden Leather Goods.
The company also works on commissions from furniture and interior designers, architects and design agencies.
Conor says his products are particularly popular with tourists who want to buy something other than the traditional craft-shop fare available throughout the country.
Most tourists, he says, don't associate Irish-made crafts with leather and any image conjured is likely to be of a thick leather satchel or a Celtic-design bookmark.
Conor worked as a trainee manager at Quinnsworth as a teenager before moving to London where he was employed at the grants office.
"I left school with no idea what to do. I got a place in university but had no intention of going. I had no direction in life. I drifted along. The leather business gave me a badly needed focus," he says.
The products can be bought at www.holdenleathergoods.com.