Welcome to the Freedom Factory.
Our fictional operation runs on 200% American spirit, expired energy drinks and a daily stand-up meeting that lasts longer than anyone stands. Buck builds the thing. Clay renames it. SoftBoulders makes it look like there was a plan.
The production process begins with leather and ends with a feature someone should have vetoed. Between those points sit the Department of Patriotism, the Spur Connectivity Desk and a barbecue division that was originally just the break room.
About our sweatshop.
“Sweatshop” was Buck's description of a workshop without enough fans. Clay put it on the website before Legal could suggest a better word. The factory, workers and working conditions are part of the parody. No actual production operation is represented here.
In the Bootzilla legend, mandatory Toby Keith breaks compete with hourly allegiance sessions and a payroll system denominated in silver dollars and beef jerky. HR has repeatedly explained that barbecue is not a benefits package. Clay is working on a slide that disagrees.
Our quality gates.
- The entrance test: does everyone notice the boot?
- The explanation test: can Buck talk about the feature for at least twenty minutes?
- The pitch test: can Clay use the word “platform” without laughing?
- The insurance test: can we get through a call before the underwriter asks for a manager?
The people responsible.
Read the founders' story for the complete account of Buck Barlow, Clay McGraw and the glue gun that became a company. Their shared ambition is to make cowboy boots so fiercely Texan they spontaneously generate another department.
Our mission: “To craft boots so fiercely American they spontaneously generate bald eagles with every step.” Our actual product-management problem: the eagle now needs an app.
