Amid the bustling campus of Southern Nazarene University, a unique entrepreneurial spirit is thriving. Christian Reed, a junior physical therapy major from Elgin, Oklahoma, has carved out a niche with his vintage western clothing business, Cowboy Culture Co. Balancing the demands of his studies with his passion for fashion, Reed is weaving together a story of ambition, creativity, and appreciation for the threads of the past.
Reed started his journey selling vintage clothing in high school to cover gas expenses, but it was not until his freshman year of college that he realized the impact he could make. “I love giving new life to items that could have perished,” he said. After finding a lead on a large collection of western shirts on Facebook, he began wearing them to dance halls, where they received a lot of attention. This sparked his idea to sell western shirts, a niche that solidified about a year after acquiring the collection.
Reed’s first rodeo vending experience was at Mustang’s rodeo, Western Days, but the inspiration behind creating Cowboy Culture Co. came from the stories these shirts evoked from people of all ages, connecting them to memories of family members or personal experiences. Having showcased his products at professional rodeos, outdoor markets, and music festivals, including Born & Raised and Calf Fry, Reed plans to use this experience to expand beyond Oklahoma. He hopes to bring his vintage western wear tomusic festivals and events across the country and share his passion with a wider audience.
Running his own business while in school has taught Reed that “you do not need a set degree to become great at business or to create one.” He emphasizes taking chances and learning from both failures and successes. Reed also credits professor Trey Stiles as being particularly helpful in guiding him on how to manage a business safely and in helping him legally establish his LLC. Although he faces challenges balancing the direction of his business with the time he can dedicate to it while managing his coursework, he remains committed to growing Cowboy Culture Co. while pursuing his education.
Recently, Reed has begun designing and creating his own hats, many featuring detailed, nature-inspired designs. Looking ahead, he said, “Someday, I plan to expand into making my own shirts as well. I want them to have the same feel and quality as the classic shirts from the 80s and 90s, so I am committed to taking the time to perfect every detail.”
Reed uses the proceeds from his vintage western apparel business to fund his college tuition and future aspirations within Cowboy Culture Co. He cherishes the charm and sentimental value of vintage Wrangler and western shirts. Above all, he advocates for pursuing endeavors that honor others and celebrate their best attributes. As he put it, “While shirts are just products, it is the passion behind them that makes them truly special, creating a meaningful connection with those who appreciate their history and style.