How I Built This with Guy Raz Tecovas: Paul Hedrick
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May 19, 2025 
Paul Hedrick, the visionary behind Tecovas, has transformed the cowboy boot industry by filling a market gap for quality boots at accessible prices. With roots in Texas, he undertook a journey to León, Mexico, refining every aspect of his boots. The conversation touches on his remarkable shift from consulting to entrepreneurship, overcoming early challenges in product design, and navigating the complexities of expanding to brick-and-mortar stores. Amidst the chaos of the pandemic, Hedrick shares insights into resilience and the growing allure of Western wear.
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Obsessive Quality Checks in Mexico
- Paul Hedrick personally flew to Leon, Mexico to inspect every pair of boots for quality control before launch.
- He rejected many pairs, demonstrating intense product obsession and commitment to quality.
Recognizing a Gap in Cowboy Boots
- Paul discovered the cowboy boot market was much larger than expected, over $3 billion annually.
- He saw a market gap: no contemporary brand targeting customers between cheap and luxury boots.
Designing Boots in Paint
- Paul designed his first cowboy boots using Microsoft Paint to capture curves and lines.
- He transformed a simple digital tool into a creative design solution for his product.