Veteran, mom builds boot-making business that gives back

Sarah Ford is a Marine Corps veteran, the wife of an active duty Marine, a harvard graduate, and a “mompreneur,” who makes cowboy boots with a purpose – to give back to those who have served. 

“I grew up in West Texas. My grandfather was a cowboy there in the ’30s-’40s and he is a huge source of inspiration for me,” she said. “He’s the one who taught me how to rock a solid pair of boots.”

So, when Ford returned from two tours of duty overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan she knew what she wanted to do, make cowboy boots that did more than just look good. 

“My heritage was a big inspiration and where my love of boots stems from. From a business perspective, I noticed there were a lot of cheaply made boots in the market for under $200 and a lot of beautiful luxury designer boots that retailed for over $800, and that they both looked more or less the same. I wanted to make clean, forward and classically designed boots that would sell differently from what is out there,” she said to 5 NBC.   

She founded Ranch Road Boots in 2012, dedicating the company to producing high-quality boots and taking care of her fellow veterans. 

“We donate a portion of annual sales to the Semper Fi Fund, which helps injured veterans from all branches of service, rehabilitate and transition into civilian life through the organization’s various programs. Our contributions fund a mix of needs across these areas. As a former Marine, and as a spouse married to an active duty Marine, this is a cause very dear to my heart,” Ford said. 

“People buy Ranch Road Boots for style and quality. The fact that it’s owned by a veteran entrepreneur from San Angelo, Texas, is the icing on the cake,” she said. “As with every aspect of my life, I work hard and want to be proud of my product and service. I want people to feel like they got more than they paid for when they slip on a pair of Ranch Road Boots,” pointing out that there are more than 250 steps in crafting each pair of boots, taking more than 48 hours to complete. 

Thanks for your support, Sarah!