Me and Jared Angelica go way back! He taught me everything I know about the shade business. He just a good dude! 

Nick Bollig moved from Colorado to Texas and is now working at Lea Park & Play. 

All I can say is "Pants in the backroom". 

I flew over to Arizona to catch Arizona Rec’s happy hour with their local ASLA chapter. We threw some axes and learned about their upcoming inclusive Unlimited Play playground coming to Show Low, AZ. In October, they’ll also be hosting a bus trip to tour the playground and earn CEU’s!  

We go way back! He's a Eagle Scout, former classmate and traveler (well not at the moment) Just another good dude on the mend! 

Today I’d like to introduce you to Chris Conrad.

Chris , please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started Republic Boot Co out of pure passion to keep our unique Texas culture alive. We now make the finest custom cowboy boots in Texas. The initial company I started was Texas National Outfitters (TNO) as a retail store. Republic Boot Co was the custom boot brand that I would sell out of TNO. I later sold TNO and focused purely on the handcrafted aspects of custom boots.

All along this journey we have had incredible people help us to get where we are today. Nothing could be done alone, and many have worked very hard to support what we are doing. We have a very loyal customer base and they see us as a gem in the world surrounded by mass production and low quality items. We are just about the last custom boot shop left in Texas, but like to think we perform the craft better than its ever been done.

We pride ourselves on furthering Texas culture through the traditions of exceptional quality and attention to detail. Our humble roots were dedicated to surrounding ourselves with Master Craftsmen and building a company around them. We are intent on creating a Renaissance in this world of mass-production through handcrafting the world’s finest products and preserving Texas culture. Republic Boot Co is raw and real Texas. We live the legendary culture of Texas every day and are passionate about creating the finest handmade products in the country.

Republic Boots are 100% made in our shop in Houston Texas with the finest materials available. Our Master Bootmakers have made boots for John Wayne, Steve McQueen, countless celebrities, but more importantly our fellow neighbors that just love a well-made product. We can make you just about anything and all custom boots carry a lifetime guarantee. We are uncompromising in the pursuit of quality and redefining the overall shopping experience.

Our goal is to utilize the amazing artisans that are all around us and create something that will be treasured for a lifetime. With Christian principles we support the community and support Texas culture. We want to greet you as a friend and have you as a customer forever.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As with many small businesses without huge start-up capital we have crawled through this journey day-by-day to get where we are today. The challenges have been far too numerous to list here, but as time has shown us, if we continue to make the finest handcrafted products, our customers will be loyal.

Republic Boot Co – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are one of the last custom boot companies in the nation. We have the finest bootmakers and make products with lifetime guarantees. We only use premium leathers in the crafting of our boots. We are living-breathing Texas culture. Nobody does what we do!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for us is creating a company that all of Texas looks to as the benchmark of quality. We want to be known for our support of the community and the preservation/furtherance of Texas culture.

Jeff Bourns is an American amputee tennis player whom helped popularize and pioneer the growth and development of organized Adaptive Standing Tennis. He retired from competition with a World Rank of 4 and top ranked American in his classification in 2019.

Growing Up

Jeff Bourns was born in Parkersburg, WV in 1981. He was diagnosed at birth with a congenital birth defect to his right leg, missing his tibia bone. As a result, his leg was amputated when he was two years old. When Jeff was 7 years old his family relocated to Houston, Texas. Shortly after the move his leg was amputated once again, above the knee. A year later the family discovered Jeff had tethered spinal cord syndrome. A tumor attached to his spinal cord pulling down while he was trying to grow with age. At the time having the tumor removed was a very risky procedure to have done and Jeff was to be left with permanent neurological deficiencies and severe nerve damage as a result. The surgery was a success, however, Jeff developed spinal meningitis while recovering at his home. After fighting and surviving meningitis he led a very active life.

Learning About Adaptive Sports

Bourns was continually engaged in sports and other active outdoor activities with his brothers, friends, mother and father. He played sports, went mountain biking, climbed trees, and enjoyed being as active as possible. At the same time, Jeff grew up in an era where organized Adaptive Sports for amputees were limited and not widely known.

After graduating High School he learned about organized Adaptive Sports for the first time.

While attending college he competed in the 2001 second annual Endeavor Games where for the first time in his life he met amputee peers his age he could relate with. For him this new found fellowship was a life changing experience, inspiring Jeff years later to begin mentoring and networking amputee youth, young adults, and their families together. These life experiences have given Jeff unique and invaluable knowledge and perspectives that he uses to this day.

Meet Scott Richerson, my neighbor! He's a Christ Follower and Lead Pastor of Stonewater Fellowship in New Braunfels. I still have lots of questions when it comes to faith, purpose and meaning of life.