Making DTC western wear work with Paul Hedrick from Tecovas
Jun 25, 2024
auto_awesome
Paul Hedrick, founder of Tecovas, discusses the challenges of launching a DTC western wear brand, leveraging social media for marketing, and fundraising in the cowboy boot market. They also touch on modernizing the industry, expanding to brick and mortar stores, and the importance of building a strong team for sustainable growth.
Social media played a vital role in Tecovas' early success.
Tecovas successfully bridged online and physical sales to enhance customer reach.
Tecovas prioritizes quality, sustainability, and innovative product excellence to lead in Westernwear.
Deep dives
Founding a DTC Westernwear Brand: The Journey of Takovas
Takovas, a DTC Western brand founded by Paul Hedrick, has found success in carving a market for Westernwear. Takovas, based in Austin, Texas, focuses on designing, making, and selling high-quality, stylish cowboy boots directly to customers. The brand, now in its ninth year, identified a gap in the market for quality boots at an accessible price point, leading to its direct-to-consumer approach, challenging traditional legacy players in the industry.
Venturing into Uncharted Territory: The Pivot to DTC and Retail
Takovas adopted a unique approach by starting physical sales first before diving into the online market, recognizing the importance of initial sales revenue. The brand's transition from a DTC model to including retail stores aimed to bridge the gap between online presence and in-person customer experiences. This strategic move diversified the brand's reach and accessibility to consumers.
Innovation and Sustainability Focus: Quality over Fast Fashion
Takovas remains steadfast in its commitment to quality and sustainability, prioritizing leather from the primary food supply chain for its products. The brand's emphasis on durability and long-lasting products aligns with its mission to create high-quality goods that stay relevant and out of landfills. By focusing on innovation and product excellence, Takovas aims to remain a leader in the Westernwear category.
Navigating Business Evolution: Transitioning from CEO to Executive Chairman
Paul's transition from CEO to executive chairman highlights the importance of recognizing individual strengths and aligning roles with personal preferences. Understanding the necessity of operational leadership in the CEO role, Paul's shift allows him to focus on creative aspects and strategic vision, while empowering a new CEO to drive the day-to-day operations forward.
Future Growth Trajectory: Retail Expansion and Product Diversification
Looking ahead, Takovas plans to expand its retail footprint, with over 32 stores currently and a projected 10+ new openings in the near future. The brand anticipates continued growth by introducing new product lines and emphasizing brand innovation to further enhance its market presence and solidify its position as a key player in the Westernwear industry.
It probably doesn’t come as too big of a surprise that cowboy boots aren’t typically sold online. So where is the modern cowboy supposed to shop? This week we’re talking to a founder who carved out a DTC market for western wear. Paul Hedrick, the founder of Tecovas, joins Dom and Becca to discuss the marketing strategy they came up with to change the perception of shopping for cowboy boots online and how the company has expanded to brick and mortar stores.
In this conversation they cover:
How social media played a big role in the early days of tecovas
The challenges of modernizing such an old-school industry