Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack McLarnon.
Zack and Lauren McLarnon are a Texan couple through and through. Though they didn’t grow up together – Zack is a native Dallasite and Lauren was born and raised in Abilene – they found each other as soon as they could. They met after their respective time at TCU and SMU and immediately connected over their deep Texas roots – bonding over their shared love for easy weekends on the ranch, a comfortable pair of boots, and a great margarita, or as Zack would call it “Man-Rita”. Zack proposed, they got married, and the two “settled down”. Soon they found themselves expecting their first child – a sweet little girl named Molly.
This is a time in a young family’s life when most people would consider the “settling down” portion to go into full swing. But Zack, never one to be comfortable with too much free time, decided to invest in a leather company out of Brazil – without telling his wife. He had a vision of selling cowhide rugs to décor minded Dallasites. He thought he’d sell a few hides as a bit of a “hobby” and maybe Lauren would never even find out. But Lauren did eventually find out because as the demand for the cowhides grew, it was a secret Zack could no longer contain. Lauren and Molly found themselves enthusiastically part of “Team Cowhide”, providing ideas and brainstorming ways to update the classic cowhide rug – and interest in the flooring only continued to grow.
Soon, Zack was busy working with local designers and clients to choose the right flooring for their spaces, and he realized another love and talent – customizing furniture. As Zack began to refinish and design furniture, even incorporating the hides from time to time, word of his pieces spread and demand grew. It was around this time, now expecting their second child, Lauren began meeting with handbag manufacturers, with an idea to create a cowhide clutch. After seeing the demand for an updated, personalized and unique take on an arguably enduring design piece – the cowhide rug – Lauren felt inspired to translate that notion to something all women love – a fabulous bag! So from the color to the texture to the tassel – that is exactly what they designed. Once the first few options were ready to launch, just a few weeks before they were about to welcome their son, Parker, Lauren and Zack took a risk and officially found themselves in the business of selling purses. Much like the cowhides, where their “hobby” began, the purses were a hit. Between the flooring, furniture, and fashion – Zack and Lauren realized they could no longer call this a hobby- it was a business- and it needed a name. So in honor of their newest family addition, their hobby-turned- business is lovingly named Parker & Hyde. Fast forward to present day, Parker & Hyde is in over 500 retail stores across the country and Zack & Lauren have been blessed with yet another sweet addition to the family, sweet Preston James McLarnon.
If you’d asked Zack and Lauren way back when what “settling down” would look like, it probably would not have included running a design business while beginning life with their two little ones. But, ask them now, and they’ll tell you, that while they’re still two Texas kids at heart, and they’re less likely to be spending weekends on the ranch, they’re happy to spend their days figuring out the right legs for their newest piece of furniture, or picking out the newest swatches of brightly hued cowhide, with Molly, Parker and Preston at their side – and that’s exactly what “settled down” means for the McLarnon family now.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Honestly? Looking back I’d have to say that overall it’s been a smooth road with minimal “struggles”, however, we have had some turns and detours along the way. We started the company with the idea that we would be an online company that sold direct to consumers, however, when boutiques and big box stores expressed an interested in carrying our line, things quickly changed. So today, we are now primarily a manufacturer and wholesaler that sells direct to retailers across the country. But we won’t turn away any consumer that wants to buy a Hyde clutch or create a custom piece of Hyde furniture!!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Parker & Hyde, LLC – what should we know?
Such an interesting question! Lol. I think we are constantly trying to figure out who we are but right now, we are Dallas based manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer that prides ourselves in creating high quality, unique and custom pieces for anyone who has a love for leather! But… There are actually three facets to Parker & Hyde:
Hyde Fashion, Hyde Furniture and Hyde Rugs.
The Parker & Hyde rug collection consists of traditional cowhide rugs as well custom, hand-stitched rugs. Our traditional Hyde rugs are imported from Brazil, they come in all shapes and sizes and they all have unique characteristics and markings, which makes them truly one of a kind. Our custom, hand-stitched patchwork rugs are remarkable and the quality is unmatched. We offer these rugs in several different designs, patterns and colors but can also take your current design or sketch and turn it into a rug that is truly yours.
The Parker & Hyde furniture line is a rapidly growing part of our company and is “Zack’s baby”. From design to creation, every Parker & Hyde piece is 100% custom made and handcrafted to our client’s specifications, with lead times in less than six weeks and always with white glove service. Naturally, we like to use our Brazilian “hair on hide” leather and exotic hides with our pieces and we tend to incorporate a heavy dose of Lucite, brass, steel and burl wood as well. From smaller furniture pieces such as stools, benches, ottomans to larger pieces such as desks, coffee tables and dining tables, there really isn’t much we can’t create.
Lastly, our fashion line consists of high quality (yet affordable) handbags, jewelry and accessories – all made from fun and vibrant “hair on hide” leather, dyed and printed leather and even exotic skins such as python, Axis deer and South African Springbok. We do sell our fashion line directly to consumers on Instagram and our website but primarily sell to our wonderful retailers across the country.
Lauren and I are passionate and proud of each of our businesses within Parker & Hyde, however, the line of business that we are most proud of to date would have to be our fashion line. In less than two years, we have organically grown our fashion line by 600%, grossed over $2MM in sales and are carried in over 500 stores across the country. I’d love to say that all of this was achieved by Lauren and I but we couldn’t of made this happen without our family and friends and our awesome employees, led by our dynamic and fearless leader, Wendi Kaplan. Wendi has been played a vital role in the growth and success of our fashion line and is the glue that keeps it all together.
There are several things that set us apart from the competition but I think one of the most fascinating things about our entire company is that ALL of our products are designed, manufactured, and handmade with love, right here in Dallas, TX. There’s no place like home and for Lauren and I, there’s no place else we’d rather be.
What were you like growing up?
Haha. I was definitely wild card growing up. Somewhat of prankster. I was a kid full of crazy ideas and someone who would jump off a cliff and grow wings on the way down. I always had a passion for making people laugh and meeting new people. Let’s just say “Don’t talk to strangers” was a rule that I definitely did not follow. For me, it was more like strangers were friends that I haven’t met yet. I’d talk to anyone. Things haven’t changed much. I’m still jumping off cliffs, showing off my wings and trying to meet new people along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.parkerhyde.com
- Phone: 1-866-COWHYDE
- Email: hello@parkerhyde.com
- Instagram: @parkerandhyde
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