Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah McEntire.
Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Cowboy Ware is created based on a need for clothing made for the working ranch cowboy and people that believe in the Western way of life. When looking at the fitness industry and hunting industry, I saw the need for an American made clothing brand that combines modern technology with traditional Western styled shirts for people in the Western industry. The shirts are designed with the wearer in mind and not only comfortable but are functional. I have dreamed of a clothing line before I even realized. My dad told me at about three years old, I would dress barbie dolls up and put on a fashion show for my dad and stepmother, then give reasons on why they were wearing certain outfits and how to accessorize them. Having my own fashion line was always in the back of my mind, after college my mother and I looked into buying a western store that had closed down in North Carolina, where I’m from. Having a clothing line combines two of my favorite things, fashion and the Western industry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One value of Cowboy Ware was to have American made products. This was big for me as I noticed many of the clothes we wear are not made in the United States. As I was starting the business and was in the sampling process, I was working with a broker and I thought I had stressed this value and the importance of creating an American made product, however, once the deposit was made for an order of 500 shirts, the night before the order was to be made to the manufacturer, I find out the shirts are made overseas. If I were to pull the plug on this order, I would lose an investment and the time I had put into the sampling process felt it would have been wasted. I decided sticking to the core value of the company was most important and I would start from scratch. With the help of a mentor, I was able to find other US manufacturers and create the line all being USA made. This was the toughest decision I had to make but I am so proud I stood up for the values and stuck to the values of the company, because I believe is the success the company has had is because of that tough decision I made and it has paid off.
Another part about starting a business is overcoming the feeling of judgement from others, or also imposter syndrome. It is so scary to put a product out there not knowing if others will believe in the product as much as you do. It takes a huge amount of faith and belief in yourself to not let those negative thoughts take over.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Cowboy Ware is a Texas based, woman-owned company that provides specialty outerwear clothing for the American cowboy and people that believe in the western way of life. This clothing has been cowboy tested and approved. Cowboy Ware clothing is known for its durability to last in the toughest elements while ranching. We focus on keeping clothing affordable without cutting corners in quality. The clothing is designed in Texas, the fabric is sourced in the United States, and the clothing is made in the United States. The goal is for Cowboy Ware to become the everyday shirt that competitors and American cowboys use, like any other hardware they use for a tool, cowboys and ranchers will look at Cowboy Ware as a tool they use to better perform their daily jobs in the Western industry. With Cowboy Ware made in the USA, an American, woman-owned clothing company are major competitive advantages over other apparel brands. I have grown up in the Western industry, specifically the equine industry, and on a cattle farm, so I have first-hand experience with the needs of farmers and ranchers, because I live it. I am still extremely closely related to the industry and continue to compete in western horse events. Because I have been in the industry for 20+ years, over time I developed relationships and connections with farmers and ranchers and understand their needs for clothing. Using these connections, I will use them to test new product and promote the Cowboy Ware brand.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
To support Cowboy Ware check out our site cowboyware.com. People can follow our instagram page: @cowboywareclothing, and facebook page @Cowboy Ware, and tik-tok. For people that join our newsletter, there is a 10% discount available on our website for the first order! Support US made products and businesses by buying a shirt!
Pricing:
- $75 button down shirts
- $35 t-shirts
Contact Info:
- Website: cowboyware.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowboywareclothing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554788833786
Image Credits
Sarah McEntire, Lillian Kent, Kailey Sullins
