Passion and craftsmanship combine to create a product line as practical as it is beautiful. Focusing on a steadfast commitment to quality, Go Forth Goods offers hand-made products that look good, feel good, and do good.
It has been said that a wise man makes more opportunities than he finds. That could be no more apropos than the story that led to the formation of Go Forth Goods, a Marietta-based company dedicated to inspiring people to do good.
Meet Nathan Martin, owner and CEO of Go Forth Goods. A native Floridian, Nathan moved to Georgia at the age of seven. While living in Kennesaw, he met Sarah, his wife of 16 years and a lifelong resident of Marietta. After two years together, they relocated to Marietta to reside in what was once her grandparent’s home. Nathan and Sarah have six – yes, six – wonderful children in the statistical anomaly of boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl order.
When preparing for a vacation to Disney World, Nathan began the daunting task of packing up his family for the trip. As he picked up his bag, the handle snapped off. Understandably aggravated and disappointed in the quality of his luggage, Nathan began to contemplate designing and making his own bag. A product of high quality craftsmanship constructed with durable, natural materials would be well worth the investment, he thought. He felt he couldn’t be alone in his frustration with the options readily available. He couldn’t have been more right in his thinking. And just like that, the seed of a new company was planted.
For the past 14 years, Nathan has been at the helm of NRM Creative Marketing. The company prides itself on simple communications, fresh ideas, and good business sense. These pillars seemed a natural foundation for his new venture, but Nathan knew designing and manufacturing quality leather goods would be no easy task.
Deciding that the best approach was to start off with a simple construct, Nathan purchased a high quality leather hide and the tools he needed and set out to make his first product – the single wallet. The flagship product of the line, Nathan still carries that first wallet. He shared his creation with some friends and, much to his surprise, he suddenly had ten custom wallet orders to fill. From there everything seemed to fall into place. Requests for additional products came in, and the product line quickly evolved to include belts, briefcases, key fobs, and garment rolls. Eventually the Avery totes and the Gunnar and William duffle bags, each signature pieces in the line, were introduced.
Select products available in the Go Forth Goods product line; the Gunnar Tote.
Steadfast attention to detail anchors the simple, rugged product line. Each item is handmade from start to finish and carries a lifetime guarantee. The process begins with a hide of leather from which all pieces are hand cut. The pieces are grooved and hand-stitched with a needle and waxed thread.Then any hardware, handles, or straps are applied.
Nathan finds a great deal of fulfillment in providing a skill-laden, handcrafted product. He loves receiving messages and letters from buyers stating how much they enjoy his products. “To be able to do this kind of work and still pay my bills is very rewarding,” Nathan states.
Loyalty, passion, and a hard work ethic resonate strongly with Nathan, a belief that is easily identified in the products that he makes. And he has big plans: “I want to grow Go Forth Goods until it becomes a household name. I want to employ others and teach them the skills of design and the trade, as well as the inner workings of running a successful business.” He plans to grow strong people, too. He desires to enlist youth with a great work ethic, a desire to learn, and a passion for creativity – ones that might not wish to pursue the traditional route of higher education. Nathan believes they can grow with him and, in time, he can transfer his business knowledge, professional experience, and craftsman’s skills to them as the company’s needs become larger. “People who start this journey with me will be the first to have a head start up the company ladder,” he stated.
A man of strong faith and conviction from his Christian roots, Nathan’s personal motto of “Go Forth and Do Good” seems to have played a pivotal role in his achievements both professionally and personally. “The phrase always spoke to the core of who I am,” he stated to me during our conversation over lunch. And he is a man of his word. Nathan and Go Forth Goods are adamant about giving back. Nathan is working to bring awareness to several non-profit charities. Grateful for his success and blessings with his family, Nathan and his wife give back to the community in a number of ways. He is currently involved with the charity Sixty Feet, an organization that helps rescue captive and imprisoned children in Africa. Ten percent of all Go Forth Good profits go to assist the organization with their mission to provide medical, educational and mentoring services, in addition to working to bring their captors to justice. As Go Forth Goods continues to grow, Nathan would like to shine a brighter light on organizations doing good works here and around the globe.
Despite marked success in his many endeavors – entrepreneur, artisan, mentor, husband, father, philantrophist – Nathan’s feet remain firmly planted on the ground. He is easy to talk to. He has that vibe that makes you want to be your best. He is laid back yet passionate about his world and the future of things. And I, for one, cannot wait to see what the future holds for Nathan – both personally and professionally – as he continues to go forth and do good. ★
