Page 169: Dave Munson: From Missionary to Saddleback Leather CEO
Aug 18, 2023
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Dave Munson, founder of Saddleback Leather Company, shares his journey from missionary to CEO. Topics include finding a calling in vocational ministry, creating the first leather bag, unique company headquarters, owning a marketing category, the impact of Blue the dog, and spreading the word of Jesus through the company's products and social media engagement.
Spiritual pride hindered Dave Munson's relationship with God and his desire to serve Him.
God can use any endeavor, including a simple leather bag, to bring Him glory and impact people's lives.
Deep dives
Dave Munson's spiritual pride led to a shift in perspective
Dave Munson, founder of Saddleback Leather Company, shares his journey from being a prideful missionary to a humble and successful CEO. He initially believed that full-time ministry was the most spiritual thing one could do. However, God used his leather bag business to change his perspective. Munson realized that spiritual pride hindered his relationship with God and his desire to truly serve Him. Through this transformation, he learned that God can use business as a means of ministry, and he now seeks to bring glory to God through his company.
Dave Munson's early spiritual upbringing and misconceptions about faith
Dave Munson grew up in a Christian home, with his father being a pastor. He had a squeaky clean testimony and a strong belief in God from a young age. However, he developed a sense of superiority based on his spiritual achievements, leading him to believe that he was more spiritually advanced than others. He pursued full-time ministry, thinking it was the only way to be a first-class Christian. Nevertheless, Munson's journey eventually led him to question and reevaluate his perspectives on faith and ministry.
The story of Blue, a leather bag, and its impact on Munson's life
While serving as a missionary in Mexico, Dave Munson sought a leather bag to carry his books, leading to the creation of the first Saddleback Leather bag. The bag garnered attention and admiration from others, inspiring Munson to make more. Living a humble life in Mexico, he started selling these bags online and built his business. The success of Saddleback Leather led Munson to realize that God can use any endeavor, even a simple leather bag, to bring Him glory and impact people's lives.
Overcoming pride and embracing a focus on glorifying God
Dave Munson shares his journey of dealing with spiritual pride and how it transformed his perspective on business and ministry. He realized that he was seeking recognition and validation through his spiritual actions and achievements. Through self-reflection and the encouragement of godly mentors, Munson recognized his pride and its negative effects on his relationship with God and others. He embarked on a journey to refocus his priorities, seeking to bring glory to God in all aspects of his life, whether through his business or personal interactions.
When Dave Munson graduated from Bible college, he was sure of one thing: the most spiritual thing he could do was full-time ministry. Then Dave went to Mexico as a missionary and that’s where he purchased the leather bag that God used to change everything, including Dave’s pride-filled heart. Dave is the founder of Saddleback Leather Company, whose goal is to love people around the world by making excessively high-quality leather bags. How does a prideful missionary become a humble but super-successful CEO? That’s Dave Munson’s story.
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