Our Values

Declaring Our Values

On New Year's Day 2017, on the advice of a friend, we decided to lay out our mission, goals, and values as a company. 

This effort has evolved over the years into the development of a number of policies and posts about our modern efforts to offer a square deal from an ethical business. 

We first declared Our Values in list form on our blog: 

• We believe in the family business, run by real people that you can get to know.
• We believe "Made in America" means from start to finish.
• Our products are made to be used for generations.
• Lasting quality may not be the norm these days, but it will always be the standard for Walnut.
• We believe in treating everyone with love and respect.
• In customer service, we believe in the Golden Rule.
• We believe in taking the time to make it better.
• Every Walnut Studiolo product is field tested for true use by real people - like you & me.
• We are committed to supporting bicycling communities and projects all over the world.
• "My goal is to make high-quality, beautiful, durable, and most of all functional solutions to everyday problems"  - Walnut Studiolo's Geoff Franklin
• "I put my heart in everything I make" - Walnut Studiolo's Geoff Franklin
• We create products made with a deep respect for our natural environment.
• Walnut Studiolo stands for beautiful solutions to everyday needs.
• We believe in making it beautiful and durable.
• We believe in being a citizen of the world.
• We are driven by quality: the highest-quality leather, greatest-intention designs, and excellent customer service.
• Our customers are the heart of what we do. We love designing and making for you.
• We use natural materials. Period. 
• We believe in the personal touch of our hands-on process.
• We make awesome products.
• We believe in replacement parts.
• We make products that we use ourselves.

Growing and Expanding on Our Values

Since 2017, we've continued to revisit, grow, and expand on our values. Learn more: 

• Read our Statement on Generative A.I. as a Creative Small Business
• We developed, implemented, and keep up-to-date our Sustainability Program.
• We support important causes. Past Fundraisers
• We maintain transparency in pricing, which is based on the cost of materials and labor. We even published an explanation of the fees we pay when Etsy commissions caused our prices to diverge on our website with our Etsy Price Increase Announcement. 
• We committed to a Price Match Guarantee.
• We formalized our ongoing Warranty Guarantee. 

Showcasing Our Values

In 2017, we worked with a graphic designer to make a visual showcase of Our Values -- all saved to this Pinterest Board: