'It kind of just made sense': MS man offers Western boots. These celebrities wear them

A Mississippi man was looking for a business opportunity and he found one right under his feet.

Well, actually, he found it on his feet and after years of work, designing and travel that opportunity became Double B Boot Company and they're being worn by the likes of Morgan Wallen and Olivia Dunne.

"I was always outdoors," said Ben Bowen of Randolph, Mississippi. "I was always riding horses.

"Boots were something I wore all the time. That's what I always chose to wear."

Bowen grew up as the fourth generation in his family to farm at Double B Farms and while he enjoys farming, he wanted to do something different. After high school he attended Ole Miss where he studied marketing and corporate relations.

"I guess I always wanted to be in the business school, but I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do," Bowen said. "I always thought marketing was a huge part of business. You can have a great product, but if nobody knows about it, it doesn't matter."

After graduating, he went to work for relatives and got a taste of business outside the agricultural world.

The path to his own business

"I worked in the furniture industry," Bowen said. "I was in sales and would travel to Vietnam and China.

"I would take our customers to where the furniture was being made. I was kind of a liaison between the factories and our customers."

Bowen said it was an enjoyable experience and made him want his own business even more. Eventually, he realized there was an opportunity in something he wore every day — boots.

"It kind of just made sense," Bowen said. "There was a gap in the market for an affordable, comfortable boot.

"I thought there was room for a really comfortable boot that was less expensive. I wanted to create timeless boots you can wear for any occasion, gorgeous boots you can wear for years and years and they're never going out of style."

From an idea to a product

Starting a company is easier said than done, though. Bowen said it was a two to three year process of designing the boots, choosing materials and finding a manufacturer that was a good fit. He said he second-guessed himself at times. However, he was determined.

"Knowing your product and believing in the Lord; it helps you persevere, be confident and push through," Bowen said.

Bowen said sales launched in November 2022 with both men's and women's models in Western and farm styles. Price tags range from $345 to $395 and can also be custom branded.

"I do custom initials and things like that on the boots," Bowen said. "I can brand numbers and states."

Bowen said his boots can be purchased directly from Double B Boot Company online or at MLM Clothiers in Tupelo and Hinton & Hinton in Oxford and more locations are coming. The styles, comfortable cushioning in the soles and durable, soft leather are winning over customers.

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Customers enjoy style, comfort and service

"The customer service was awesome," said Barton Ramsey of Guntown. "I ordered them with my custom logo and they had them to me in three days.

"I'm a big fan of how comfortable they are. They also have a real old-school classic look to them."

Mary Landrum Pyron of Crystal Springs also talked about the comfort.

"They're great quality boots," Pyron said. "I can work in them all day."

The styles are a great fit for Pyron, too. Pyron makes custom felt Western and fashion hats at her business, ML Provisions. So, the two Mississippi brands compliment each other.

"My sister wears them, I wear them — it completes the look of the hats," Pyron said. "I'm glad he brought boots to Mississippi. Our brands align."

Celebrities are buying Double B boots, too. Bowen said musical artists Morgan Wallen, Ernest and HARDY have purchased boots as well as Louisiana State University gymnast and model Olivia Dunne.

"I think it's awesome," Bowen said. "I take it as a huge compliment when artists and musicians who have access to any brand in the world choose to wear Double B."

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Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi's Double B Boot company offers comfort and timeless style