Crafting a Niche Market with Unique Cowboy Boots

[Harriete Estel Berman]

"You're Running Wild" by Lisa Sorrell

Last year's SNAG Professional Development Seminar 2011 was about Niche Marketing. Ever since then I've been looking around for examples of successful niche marketing.

In this case, successful niche marketing can be defined as finding a specialized market for exactly what you love to make and being able to make money fulfilling that market.

Recently, I discovered the amazing cowboy boots made by Lisa Sorrell on Crafthaus.  In an online conversation, she revealed that she has a waiting list of up to a year! How about them cowboy boots!

 

 

 

 

  Waltz of the Angels by Lisa Sorrell

Below is a interview with Lisa Sorrell about her niche market and how it came about. At the bottom, I have also included the PDS 2011 SlideShare presentation about Niche Marketing with Hilary Pfeiffer, emiko oye, and Deb Stoner. 

"I Heard the Bluebird Sing"

Lisa Sorrell interview:

How did you begin making cowboy boots?
I discovered boot making through a want ad placed in the local newspaper seeking someone “to stitch boot tops.” I never heard of boot making or worn a pair of cowboy boots. The ad was placed by the legendary boot maker Jay Griffith, who was a cantankerous old alcoholic. A veteran of both WWII and the Korean War, his favorite phrase, “GODDAMNIT!” was usually delivered at full volume.

It was only supposed to be a temporary job, but boot making appealed to me because I could create beautiful and colorful designs with sewing, knives and hammers.

 

 

  ”The Way I Am" by Lisa Sorrell

How do you find your customers?
I opened my own business, Sorrell Custom Boots, in 1996. Initially I didn’t think any further than opening the doors and hoping customers would hear about me and order the intricate and colorful boots, that I made for my husband and myself.

I caught the eye of Tyler Beard, a noted boot historian and collector who was working on his second book about cowboy boots entitled Art of the Boot. Tyler featured four boots from our personal collection and suddenly those were the type of boots I was being asked to build.

 

 

 

"Drifting and Dreaming" by Lisa Sorrell

That was my first introduction to the power of marketing. I’m not a cowboy and can’t pretend to be one, and I have very few customers who are cowboys. While I build a traditional cowboy boot, my own personal philosophy is that cowboy boots are a way for men to wear high heels and bright colors.

Who are your customers?
My typical client is a businessman, often one who enjoys western art and owns a second home somewhere in the West.

 

 

 

 

   "Come Early Morning" by Lisa Sorrell

How did you develop your niche market?
I choose the venues I attend very carefully. I put a lot of time into thinking about who my typical client is, and who I want him/her to be. I don’t select events at random, I choose events where that client is likely to be.

 I particularly enjoy introducing cowboy boots to new markets. In the past few years I’ve done the Baltimore Craft Show, the American Craft Exposition in Evanston, Illinois and the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C. These aren’t areas where one would typically imagine cowboy boot wearers to be, but in my way of thinking that simply means a whole show full of people who don’t know they want cowboy boots yet.

When I go to shows these are the types of boots my husband and I wear.  They’re types of boots I have on display in my booth, and they’re well represented in my portfolio. I position myself to attract the client I want and to encourage him or her to order the type of boots I love to build. I prefer making intricate and colorful boots and I like to use exotic leathers.

 

 

Cherokee Fiddle by Lisa Sorrell

How do customers influence the commissions?
Since each pair of boots is a commission, the client has a large part in each design decision. Some clients choose from a portfolio of work, some request small changes in colors or patterns that result in new designs, and others bring drawings or ideas to be translated into a personal and wearable piece of art. This element of collaboration is the beginning. After the client takes the boot and wears them they begin to also take on the shape and personality of the owner, completing the partnership.

How do you structure your commissions?
I build two to three pairs of boots per month. The waiting time is usually around one year. Boot prices start at $3500, with additional charges for designs or exotic leathers.

A deposit of half reserves a spot on the calendar and the second half is due during the month the boots are being built, before they’re shipped. An order form filled out by hand, detailing all leather, color and design choices avoids problems. This form filled out in triplicate (one for the client, two for my files) is a record of each decision and it’s proven to be an invaluable part of the ordering process.

Do you make exhibition/competition designs?
I prefer to make competition pieces for either my husband or myself following my own taste.  My boots have won awards for best artist in both Art to Wearand Leather categories at the Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Other awards include the Founder’s Award at the American Craft Exposition in Evanston, Illinois, Bronze Award winner at the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C., and a Gold Medal in shoe making competitions in both Wiesbaden, Germany and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

More information about Lisa Sorrell boots:

Lisa enjoys speaking, teaching and promoting the craft of boot making. She regularly updates her Facebook page  with photos and explanations of ongoing work in the shop; clients who are having boots built can watch as their boots are made. She also has a YouTube channelwhere she posts videos of boot making.

Stay tuned for information from the 2012 Professional Development Seminar about shipping with handouts, tutorials, and SlideShare presentations on ASK Harriete.
Harriete

 

5,147 people have watched the Niche Marketing program from the SNAG Professional Development Seminar. You can too! Click on the link below.

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Niche Marketing from SNAG PDS 2011

View another webinar from Harriete Estel Berman