101. Paul Hedrick: Disruptor of a $3 Billion Industry

Feb 6, 2024

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Texas. Just saying the name conjures up scenes of jampacked small-town stadiums on Friday nights, the best barbecue you’ve ever tasted, and good, old-fashioned country fun. But here’s the reality, all those things are nice but, nothing says Texas more than a nice pair of cowboy boots. No matter if you’re living in the big city wheeling and dealing in a skyscraper or sitting behind a desk in a small town, the moment your boots come into clear view, Texas pride reveals itself.

Our guest today is a proud Texan and boot lover. He made his way to and graduated from Harvard and after meandering through the business world for a few years, he answered the call of Texas through boots. Paul Hedrick is the founder of Tecovas, one of the fastest-growing apparel brands in the nation. Today, he stops by to share his journey, lessons he has learned along the way, and a few things he wishes every startup knew. It’s a wide-ranging conversation and one that you don’t want to miss. If you’re sitting on the fence, waiting to jump in, this episode is sure to give you the push you need!

In This Episode

(1:10) – Paul discusses his boot journey, a native of Houston, moved to Dallas.
(4:29) – Parents were supportive of their dreams but didn’t push them in any direction.
(5:14) – Paul was the self-motivated child in the family who loved to read.
(6:31) – An emphasis on education comes into play and sparks his competitive juices.
(9:00) – Paul discusses his Harvard experiences and lessons he learned.
(10:30) – In order to stand out, Paul realizes he would have to tell a different story.
(11:31) – Paul actually had no idea what his next step was after Harvard.
(14:00) – The epiphany of college.
(17:40) – Paul reconnects with his Texas roots through boots.
(24:39) – The life of a private equity professional.
(25:43) – Business school rejections led Paul down another path.
(26:40) – The lightbulb conversation at the bar.
(29:19) – Passion is the driver, but joy is what keeps him alive.
(30:14) – Paul discusses his business philosophy and approach to scaling.
(31:48) – Market entry and growing pains.
(33:00) – Confidence, spending money to make money, and credit cards.
(35:55) – Business expectations and sales forecasts.
(37:30) – The benefits of launching during the holiday.
(38:00) – Physical sales made up a large part of their revenues.
(40:13) – The point where Paul realizes he has made a great brand.
(42:48) – The impact seeing pride in the faces of his team.
(43:36) – Paul discusses the growth to date of Tecovas.
(46:12) – What’s next for Tecovas?

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