Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Mendenhall.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Five years ago, I was driving down a country road thinking about which pair of cowboy boots I would pack on an upcoming trip to New York to attend the Main Street Vegan Academy. I had never been around another vegan and wasn’t sure if wearing leather was “acceptable.” Suddenly I found myself behind a cattle trailer. Now this was not a new sight to me, growing up around cattle ranching I had seen this site a million times.
On this particular day though as I moved in closer to the trailer, I made eye contact with the cows and saw the fear in their eyes as they swayed back n forth in the trailer. I knew where they were headed and I knew their fate. It was in that moment I knew I would not be taking my animal leather cowboy boots to New York. See up to that point I had been vegan for fours years and had made the animal to eat connection but not the animal to wear connection.
A couple of weeks later while at the MSVA I listened to a presentation on the fashion industry, which included insight into the production of leather. I learned cows are not a byproduct of the beef industry, they are raised solely for their skin. Also the environmental impacts and health hazards associated with the industry is destructive. I knew I no longer wanted to wear, sit or carry leather, but this decision hit a personal cord. As a Texan cowboy boots were an extension of my personality and I had quite the collection! Expressing my distraught with a friend, she encouraged me to go make them vegan.
After my search on Google for vegan cowboy boots came up empty handed, I thought to myself why not – why not me! I decided my boots had to be made in Texas, had to be handmade, and customers needed to be able to custom design them. I wanted everyone to be able to wear a pair of cowboy boots – vegan! I found a boot maker, a material supplier, and began promoting my new company at events and on social media.
I’ve been operating and growing my business now for four years. I’ve sold boots around the world and have customers that include Miley Cyrus, Oprah, and Woody Harrelson to name a few. My fashion philosophy is animals do not have to suffer for fashion and I’m proving it through my quality high-end vegan boots and other non-leather accessories.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Anyone who has started their own business knows it is never easy. My biggest struggle was finding an experienced handmade boot maker who was willing to give my vegan leather a try and agree to work with me. In addition, it was difficult to find the suppliers needed to make my product 100% vegan.
Once the production issues were solved and I saw my first prototype, I cried! To see my vision become a reality was surreal. The continued struggles for me is the day to day aspects of the business. Juggling to stay on top of orders, marketing, branding, and customer service all while continuing to implement my growth strategy.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
At Kat Mendenhall, Purveyor of Handmade Vegan Goods – I specialize in offering custom designed handmade vegan boots and other non-leather accessories and goods.
All our products are 100% handmade, offering a quality that is superior to factory-made products. Because my products are handcrafted we are able to accommodate customers who are not able to buy boots off the shelf.
I’m most proud that my boots are not only gorgeous, but the vegan leather is recognized as animal leather. My hope is one day animal leather will be frowned upon like fur. Currently I’m the only company offering handmade vegan cowboy boots.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First and foremost my biggest influencer, encourager, and supporter came from Victoria Moran founder of the Main Street Vegan Academy. It was while attending the Academy my vision to create vegan cowboy boots was inspired and planted.
In addition mentor and friend JL Fields has not only shared her savvy entrepreneur skills with me, but she’s also been one of my biggest cheerleaders and customers. Of course my immediate family, although not vegan, have been there in the trenches when I needed them most.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.
katmendenhall.com - Phone: 469-209-9022
- Email: kat@katmendenhall.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ katmendenhallboots/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/kickbuttboots/
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