121 | Creating CITY Boots: Blending Luxury, Heritage, and Perseverance with Lizzy Bentley

In Today’s Episode:

On this episode of Leaders of the West, Jessie is joined by Lizzy Bentley—founder of City Boots and one of the most inspiring women in the Western fashion industry. From her roots in Amarillo to a decade spent building a handcrafted boot brand, Lizzy’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and grit.

City Boots started as a creative outlet and quickly became a brand known for blending timeless Texas heritage with modern style.

In the episode they cover:

• How City Boots started as a creative outlet
• How social media helped Lizzie find her first manufacturers
• Why Lizzie always kept her focus on making high-quality, long-lasting, good-looking boots that actually feel good on your feet
• How she navigated the devastating loss of her husband in 2019
• How grief changed her life and leadership, and why she ultimately decided to keep the business going
• How she handles competition in the fashion space
• What advice she has for founders feeling overwhelmed

Resources & Links:

• The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Show Podcast
• The Skinny Confidential Shop
• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
• FreedomPark Valet at DFW
• Subscribe to Of The West’s Newsletters
• Need Resume assistance? Of The West has your back!

Connect with Lizzy:

• Follow City Boots on Instagram @citybootsofficial 
• Follow Lizzy on Instagram @lizardboots
• Visit City Boots website

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

About Lizzy

Growing up in Amarillo, Texas, boots were a way of life for Lizzy Bentley. When Lizzy left home to pursue her education at SMU, followed by a career in the city, she took her boots with her. She soon realized that while many onlookers admired her boots, they didn’t know where to purchase a pair of their own or how to style them. This inspired her to follow her passion and change her trajectory from corporate finance to creating a new narrative for cowboy boots that would speak to women everywhere.

With a dream to merge her deep connection to her heritage with contemporary fashion, Lizzy founded CITY Boots in 2015. Her designs celebrate tradition while embracing the sleek, versatile needs of the city girl. Each pair of CITY Boots reflects Lizzy’s commitment to delivering quality craftsmanship and iconic, elevated designs.

Join Lizzy in celebrating adventure and embracing every moment in life as CITY Boots continues to deliver the styles our urban cowgirl needs for every occasion.

More About Leaders Of The West

Leaders Of The West is a podcast for innovators and change-makers in the ag and western industries. Hosted by Jessie Jarvis, the Founder of Of The West, our mission with Leaders Of The West is to foster a community of pioneers, innovators, and leaders who want to be at the forefront of what’s next. 

Whether it’s a guest episode where we’re digging into the blueprints behind our favorite industry businesses, discussing the innovation and strategies that have allowed family farming and ranching operations to continue on for another generation, to episodes with honest conversations from entrepreneurs who have risked it all on their dreams, or leaders detailing how to create a company culture so strong that you couldn’t pay your employees to leave. 

These conversations are meant to encourage the leaders of today and inspire the next generation of trailblazers. 

In addition to bringing in guests, you’ll also find some solo episodes, where Jessie shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey as a rancher, entrepreneur, wife, and mother. 

Whether you’re a farmer, a rancher, an equine lover, someone headed up the leadership ladder, an ag business owner, a western sports athlete, an entrepreneur, or someone who just loves the western way of life—this is the place for you.

You’ll find new episodes every week. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss a show!