As part of our third annual By Women series—which spotlights the best women-owned products and companies—we’re talking to Lizzie Means Duplantis and Sarah Means, sisters and co-founders of Miron Crosby, a luxury bespoke cowboy boot brand. With this series, we’re committed to giving female founders who own 51% or more of their business a platform. This not only allows them to introduce their brilliant products to a wide and potentially new audience, but it also helps you—the discerning shopper—discover the best stuff out there.
In magazine parlance, an “investment piece” is something you spend big on but can wear forever. It’s a nice concept, but in today’s climate of fashion hauls, mind-reading Instagram ads, and what feels like bottomless brand drops, buying a single item and never anything similar feels quaint, maybe even laughable. Even if you “invest” in that gorgeous bag, there’s going to be ten more served up to you through various channels that you’ll be powerless to resist. An exception to this rule, perhaps, is an exquisite pair of leather cowboy boots from Miron Crosby, a luxury line of authentic, fashion-forward western-style footwear.
Founded in 2017 by sisters Lizzie Means Duplantis and Sarah Means, Miron Crosby embodies the “if you know, you know” ethos that many small luxury brands thrive on—your most plugged-in friend will know about it, as will celebrity fans like Gigi Hadid, Kelsea Ballerini, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kacey Musgraves—but Miron Crosby boots are anything but overexposed. The price point has a bit to do with it—women’s styles range between around $1,100 and $4,000—but also, cowboy boots are a highly specific item. If you’re investing in a pair, odds are you’re committed to the look and will be for the long haul. What makes this brand different, though, is that it’s a fashion brand that makes cowboy boots—not the other way around.
Miron Crosby Sophie Metallic Boot
Miron Crosby
Miron Crosby Celeste Boot
Miron Crosby
The boots—which are handcrafted on both sides of the Rio Grande in Mercedes, Texas, and Leon, Mexico—are characterized by creative prints, exotic leathers, playful stitching, and interesting details like feathers and cutouts. They’re priced like luxury high-fashion goods because they are. The physical locations further this idea: Miron Crosby’s flagship studio is located in Dallas’ ritzy Highland Park Village neighborhood, while its newest location is in Aspen, CO, unofficial home of the jet set. There’s also a location in Houston and a fully shoppable website that stocks women’s, men’s, and kid’s boots ($275), as well as a concierge service to customize any pair.
The brand’s origin story follows the theme of disruption: both sisters left very successful, very New York careers–Lizzie in finance at Forbes, Goldman Sachs, and Tiger Global, Sarah in the fashion business at Loeffler Randall—to move back home to Dallas (they grew up on a cattle ranch!) and launch Miron Crosby.
Here, they talk about the challenges of starting a business, their morning routines, go-to work looks, working with your sister, and more.
Why did you feel like it was a good time to launch Miron Crosby when you did? Was it a scary proposition?
There’s no perfect time to start a business. When we were living in New York, we saw a demand for the cowboy boots we were designing for ourselves that were made at our cousins’ factory in South Texas. Recognizing this gap in the market, combined with our story, idea, and drive, was key to launching Miron Crosby. It was scary, especially with our heritage and family so intertwined with the business, but having each other as partners helped. At the time it felt risky, but also exciting, because we knew we had something special.
Do you think consumers care about who owns the businesses they spend on? If not, should they?
Absolutely. Today, people are looking for authenticity and a genuine connection with the brands they support. Miron Crosby is, and always has been, an extension of our lives and we really value the connection we’ve built with our customers. We always want them to feel like they’re part of our community. From boots adorned with designs inspired by nights we spent growing up under star-filled West Texas skies, to silhouettes and colorways influenced by our grandmother’s sense of fashion—you wouldn’t catch her out of the house not perfectly coifed—so much of our lives are reflected in the brand we’ve built. When our community gets the opportunity to hear our story, it creates a deeper bond and makes the product feel even more personal and meaningful.
What’s a key piece of advice you’d give to other women looking to start their own business?
Build something that comes from your own personal knowledge and passion. The best businesses are born when the founders truly believe in what they’re doing and have an authentic connection to the product or service. When you’re passionate about what you’re creating, it fuels not just your motivation but also connects you with others who share that passion, making it easier to build a community around your brand. Surround yourself with a great team that also buys in, and the community will follow.
Miron Crosby Kirstin Silver Mirror Boot
Miron Crosby
Miron Crosby Brooke Rainbow Boot
Miron Crosby
What time do you get up?
LMD: I get up at 5:30 a.m. I have 5 kids, so this is typically my sacred time to start the day on the right foot.
SM: I’m up around 6:45am, but it’s always a battle—I love to sleep.
What’s your typical morning routine?
LMD: I get up, have hot lemon water with honey and squeeze in a few minutes of quiet time before I meet a friend for a workout. Then I’m home to wake my kiddos up at 7 a.m., when commences a whirlwind of packing backpacks, making lunches and tying shoelaces.
SM: I make a cup of tea and take a quick walk around my neighborhood before I workout and head to the office. I’m religious about packing my lunch for work, so I always take a few minutes in the kitchen to prep. Then, I always call my mom and my sister for a quick morning catch up.
How do you take your coffee?
LMD: My friends tease me that my coffee tastes like a cinnamon roll. All the sweetener, a healthy dash of cinnamon, and whatever else is on the counter to jazz it up.
SM: I don’t drink coffee—I stick with English Breakfast hot tea with milk and monkfruit.
Your first childhood dream job was…
LMD: I dreamed of being the person that named the nail polish colors for Essie.
SAM: Helicopter pilot. I was obsessed with helicopters—I think I liked the headset as I’m a sucker for an accessory.
Your first actual job was…
LMD: I worked at Forbes magazine, then Goldman Sachs and Tiger Global when living in New York, and once I moved to Dallas I started an event decor rental company, Perch Decor, up until founding MC.
SM: I worked as the wholesale sales assistant at Loeffler Randall then went on to get my law degree before starting MC.
How do you typically deal with rejection in your field?
Rejection is part of the process, and we try to see it as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. We focus on learning from the feedback, adjusting where needed, and staying true to our vision. There were many times when we felt defeated while trying to get Miron Crosby off the ground, but we persevered, and we’re grateful for that every day. It’s important to stay resilient, keep pushing forward, and remember that every no brings you closer to the right yes. You’ve heard it before—and it’s not enjoyable—but the lessons learned and what you gain from dealing with setbacks are far more valuable than a smoothly paved road.
What’s the best piece of money or career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Always reinvest in yourself and your business. Whether it’s learning new skills, expanding your network, or improving your product, constantly growing and evolving is key to long-term success.
Best parenting advice you’d give a new mom?
LMD: Spend the time. I’m a doer, so sometimes it’s hard for me to feel like I’m being “productive” when I’m sitting on the floor playing Legos for hours, but if you reframe it to recognize that it’s all about spending the time and that’s what’s important, it’ll pay dividends. Now that my kids are older, the relationships come more easily—now that they can talk back!
What are you wearing to work on a typical day?
LMD: As a mother of five, comfort is always key. I love throwing on a mini skirt from Isabel Marant and a T-shirt paired with a boot like our recently-launched Brooke Denim boot. It’s easy and comfortable so I’m ready to go from school drop-off, to the office, to dinners with the team.
SM: I love a cool pair of jeans, a white tee, and structured blazer—Blazé Milano is one of my favorites—and, of course, cowboy boots. I can wear them anywhere, and they always make a statement. Plus, they’re fantastic conversation starters.
What’s the last great book you read?
LMD: Beach Music by Pat Conroy. I’ve not read much of his work other than The Prince of Tides, but this book was phenomenal.
SM: I just finished Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and it is taking up a wild amount of real estate in my brain. I’m new to this fantasy thing and I have to say, it’s a fun break from reality.
What’s the last thing you bought you were excited about?
LMD: We got home days ago from the leather show, Lineapelle, in Milan and stopped in Paris, where I snagged a pink Prada cutie purse that had just come off the fashion week fittings in Paris and I LOVE HER!
SM: I got some vintage earrings in Paris. They’re the cutest pair of sea turtles and I’m obsessed with them. I live for an obscure animal moment. I’m saving them for my upcoming rehearsal dinner and cannot wait to bust them out.
Explain the moment you realized, Okay, we might actually be successful…
One morning, our mom was watching Bloomberg when they specifically mentioned a rise in sales of western cowboy boots and were talking about ‘lime green cowboy boots’ on air. Realizing that our lime green metallic Maggie boot has made its way to national television is a milestone reminding us just how far we’ve come.
Your favorite low-stakes treat after a productive day is…
LMD: A skinny spicy margarita and a foot massage.
SM: I really love to cook, so making a low-key dinner and having friends or my fiancé over always feels like a treat.
Your go-to thank you gift is…
LMD: I’m sentimental so I care about a sweet note, which I pair with a colorful mini ceramic bud vase and a handful of blooms.
SM: I love to receive anything luxurious that I wouldn’t think to buy for myself. Lately, I’ve gifted salted French butter wrapped in cellophane and tied with ribbon and a note. I totally stole this idea from my best friend, but I think it is so thoughtful. Also, an obscure deck of playing cards always feels appropriate. They’re fun to collect while traveling.
Finish this sentence: people would be happier doing their work if…
They feel supported and connected to a team that truly believes in them and gives them autonomy over their work. For us, being business partners and sisters has been such a rewarding experience because we understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we push each other to grow. We hope that kind of trust and camaraderie creates a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and motivated.
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