Tecovas CEO David Litt on Scaling a Western Brand and Radical Hospitality

Host Elizabeth Gore opens with a Small Business Administration update on expanded Veterans Business Outreach Center funding, then interviews Tecovas CEO David Litt about scaling a digitally native Western footwear and apparel brand. The conversation focuses on brand building, retail expansion, manufacturing partnerships, and customer experience.

■ SBA veterans business support
- $4.9M over five years to expand the VBOC network; new centers in Alaska, Florida, and Louisiana
- Free training, advising, and technical help; sba.gov/vboc as a resource

■ Tecovas background and growth
- CEO David Litt's path from corporate law and Deckers Brands to Tecovas
- Digitally native direct-to-consumer start, Yellowstone advertising, and Western cultural tailwinds

■ Operations and customer experience
- Radical hospitality, in-store bars, free customization, and employee empowerment
- Leon, Mexico manufacturing, diversified sourcing, factory partnerships, and tariff planning

■ Leadership and recommendations
- Brand focus, authenticity, and the book Unreasonable Hospitality
- Small-business mentions: Buc-ee's and Mark Maggiori

Viewers interested in retail, consumer brands, veterans entrepreneurship, and hospitality management can gain insight into how a Western lifestyle brand scales while maintaining service standards. The episode also highlights SBA resources and operational considerations for founders evaluating manufacturing and expansion.