By Carmel Lyngdoh
Shillong, August 7: At a time when many young people are waiting for government jobs or seeking employment opportunities, Lawanbiang Marweiñ of Mawpat has chosen a different path by turning his skills, determination and passion into a successful business. Today, he is the founder of Lawan Handcrafted Leather, a leather workshop and retail outlet located at Lumshyiap in Shillong.
His entrepreneurial journey is a testament to how talent, perseverance and self-employment can pave the way to success beyond the pursuit of government employment.
At his workshop, Lawanbiang personally designs and handcrafts a wide range of premium leather products, including cowhide and goatskin jackets, handbags, wallets, purses, belts, shoes and other leather accessories. Crafted from high-quality leather and customised to suit customers’ preferences, each product is unique, durable and made with meticulous attention to detail.
Before launching his own enterprise, Lawanbiang spent several years working at Leather Fanckon in Laitumkhrah, where he honed his skills in leather stitching, designing and craftsmanship. The experience inspired him to establish his own brand and transform his passion into a sustainable livelihood.
Speaking to this correspondent, Lawanbiang said that while he had previously worked for others, his dream was always to become self-reliant and create opportunities that could benefit aspiring artisans.
He expressed concern over the declining interest among Khasi youth in learning traditional leather craftsmanship, particularly leather stitching and shoemaking. To address this gap, he hopes to establish a Leather Training Institute in Meghalaya that would equip young people with practical skills and encourage them to become self-employed entrepreneurs.
“I want to pass on these skills to the younger generation so that they can create their own livelihoods instead of depending only on jobs,” he said.
Lawanbiang explained that every product at his workshop is personally designed and handcrafted by him. Many customers also bring their own designs or specific requirements, which he customises to meet their expectations. He said this personalised approach has earned him the trust and loyalty of a growing customer base.
According to him, premium raw materials are sourced from different parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chennai and Kolkata. Despite rising production costs, he strives to keep his products reasonably priced. Custom-made leather jackets start at around ₹4,000, with prices varying depending on the design, size and type of leather used.
He said the demand for handcrafted leather products remains strong throughout the year, particularly during the winter season when bikers, tourists and local customers seek quality leather jackets. However, a shortage of skilled workers often forces him to work alone until the early hours of the morning to meet customer orders.
Despite challenges such as sourcing quality raw materials, managing production and operating a small business, Lawanbiang has steadily built his brand through dedication, consistency and confidence in his craftsmanship.
Encouraging young people to explore entrepreneurship, he urged them not to depend solely on government employment but to develop practical skills and create opportunities for themselves.
He also appealed to the Meghalaya Government to provide greater support to young entrepreneurs interested in establishing manufacturing units and small industries in the state. According to him, such support would strengthen local production, reduce dependence on outside markets and create more employment opportunities for the youth.
With his commitment to quality craftsmanship and his vision of preserving the traditional art of leather making, Lawanbiang Marweiñ has emerged as an inspiring example of how skill, determination and entrepreneurship can create not only personal success but also opportunities for others in Meghalaya.
