01How did you get started? Give us the origin story.
I've always been interested in health, fitness, and being intentional about what my family eats and uses. Over time, I started paying more attention to ingredient labels, not just in food but in everyday personal care products. That curiosity eventually led me to beef tallow and the idea of making my own products. I started experimenting with different ingredients and formulations, especially deodorant. I wanted something simple that I would feel good about using myself and sharing with my family. What started as experimenting with ingredients eventually turned into Lone Star Tallow. I never really set out with some grand business plan. I just had an idea, started making things, and realized it was something I genuinely enjoyed doing.
02Why here? What made you choose this area?
My family and I moved to Taylor in 2025, and I've really enjoyed being part of a smaller Texas community. I appreciate the atmosphere, the people, and the sense of community you get here. I also love Texas and what it represents. There's a strong tradition of independence, entrepreneurship, and people taking pride in what they build. That fits pretty naturally with what I'm trying to do with Lone Star Tallow.
“It's a true small business, and that's something I'm proud of.”
03What would locals be surprised to learn about you or the business?
Probably that I have a full-time career as a marketing director while also running Lone Star Tallow. This business is something I work on outside my regular job, often during evenings and weekends. Another thing that might surprise people is how hands-on everything is. We're not some massive operation with a factory producing thousands of jars. There's a lot of measuring, mixing, whipping, packaging, and figuring things out as we go. It's a true small business, and that's something I'm proud of.
“Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.”
04What's your favorite customer story?
One of my favorite moments was receiving a review from a customer who said she naturally sweats a lot, especially living in the Texas heat and being pregnant. She mentioned that she normally has to reapply deodorant two or three times a day and was initially skeptical about trying ours. After using it, she told us she went the entire day without needing to reapply and never noticed any body odor. She was genuinely surprised by how well it worked. That kind of feedback means a lot to me. When you've spent so much time experimenting with ingredients and trying to get a formula just right, hearing that it made a real difference in someone's everyday life is incredibly rewarding.
05What's the hardest part of running this business that nobody sees?
Finding the time to do everything. Between working full-time, being a husband, raising four kids, and running a business, there's always something that needs attention. People see the finished product, but they don't necessarily see the hours spent testing formulations, building a website, working through packaging, managing orders, or figuring out how to reach customers. I've also learned that making a good product and building a successful business are two completely different challenges. You have to figure out both, and there's definitely a learning curve.
06What early mistake taught you the most?
One of my biggest lessons has been realizing that small details make a huge difference, especially when you're making products by hand. I remember working with a new batch of tallow that had a completely different consistency than what I had used before. Even though I was following the same formula, the finished product turned out softer than I wanted. It taught me that you can't just assume everything will work the same way every time. You have to test, adjust, and pay attention to the details. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference, and I've learned that getting something right is more important than rushing to get it out the door.
07If you weren't doing this, what would you be doing?
Well, I'd still be working in marketing, since that's my full-time career! I've always enjoyed building things, solving problems, and figuring out how to turn an idea into something real. If it wasn't Lone Star Tallow, I'd probably be experimenting with another business idea. I enjoy the process of creating something from scratch and seeing where it goes. Outside of work, I'd hopefully be spending more time with my family, hiking, fishing, or enjoying the outdoors. Although knowing myself, I'd probably find another project to keep me busy.
Free local newsletters
Liked this? Get the next one in your inbox.
Join 25,000 newsletter subscribers across Williamson County.