Do I need prior experience to start?
No. Beginner courses cover tool safety, adhesive selection, and material handling. We recommend starting with “Foundations: Tools, Safety, and Bench Setup.”
FAQ
If you can’t find your answer, write to us anytime.
Which tools are essential for a small studio?
Start with a knife and skiving set, edge irons, a stitching awl, welt clamp, lasting pliers, a heat gun with temperature control, nitrile gloves, and a bench vise. Expand as your workload grows.
How long do I keep access to a course?
You receive ongoing access to materials and future updates. If we retire a course, we provide a downloadable reference pack.
Do you provide a certificate?
Yes. Completing assessments grants a digital certificate outlining competencies, hours, and the Guild’s Five-Point Finish rubric.
What about adhesives and ventilation?
We discuss solvent-based and water-based adhesives, cure times, and practical ventilation setups suitable for small studios.
Can I run a part-time repair business?
Yes. Our pricing and scheduling modules help you map capacity by hours-per-week and set lead-times customers trust.
Are sneaker restorations covered?
Dedicated modules cover foam-safe prep, repainting techniques, sole swaps, and glue lines that flex without whitening.
What support do I receive?
You can ask instructors in course threads, book office-hours sessions, and request peer critique on before/after work.
How do refunds work?
If a course is not as described, contact us within 14 days. We will review progress and offer a fair resolution.