Hey friends,
There are some conversations that stay with you long after the cameras stop rolling.
My recent conversation with Zephan Parker, founder of Parker Boot Company, was one of those.
On the surface, it's a story about custom cowboy boots.
But underneath?
It's a conversation about craftsmanship, leadership, legacy, and why the things built by human hands still matter in a world racing toward automation.
Grateful you're here,
Larry
More Than A Pair Of Boots
Zephan didn't grow up planning to build one of the country's premier custom boot companies.
His journey started with curiosity.
One conversation with an older gentleman led him into a boot shop, where he discovered an entire world of master craftsmen carrying on traditions that had been passed down for generations. That experience changed the trajectory of his life.
As we talked, it became obvious that he isn't just making boots.
He's preserving a craft.
What AI Can’t Replace
One part of our conversation really stuck with me.
Everyone wants to talk about artificial intelligence.
Zephan isn't afraid of it.
In fact, he welcomes it.
His perspective is simple:
The more automated the world becomes, the more valuable genuine human craftsmanship becomes.
That really made me think.
Technology should remove distractions—not replace people.
A machine can manufacture thousands of identical products.
But it can't create a story.
It can't pass down a family heirloom.
It can't recreate the pride that comes from knowing another person poured their skill, patience, and experience into creating something that will outlive them.
Leadership Is Building People
As our conversation continued, we found ourselves talking less about leather and more about leadership.
Both of us have spent decades building businesses.
One thing we've learned is that great companies aren't built by finding perfect people.
They're built by developing people.
Zephan talked about looking beyond résumés and backgrounds to find what he called "diamonds in the rough." He believes leadership is recognizing potential before someone sees it in themselves, and then giving them the opportunity to grow into it.
That resonated with me.
Looking back over my years in the printing industry, some of my greatest successes weren't the jobs we produced.
They were the people who came through our doors.
Today they're designers, business owners, financial advisors, executives, and leaders in their own right.
Watching someone become who they were capable of becoming is one of the greatest rewards of leadership.
The world will keep changing.
Technology will keep advancing.
But there will always be value in people who care enough to learn a craft, do the work well, and leave something meaningful behind.
That applies to boots, business, leadership, and life.
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My Book – Business Cards & Shoe Leather
If you haven’t read my book yet, here’s a little about it:
In Business Cards & Shoe Leather, I share how I built a career in commercial printing while navigating the challenges of dyslexia and the realities of being an underdog. It’s filled with humor, hard lessons, and moments of clarity about what matters most: relationships, mentorship, and leading with integrity.
You’ll learn how I co-founded two international business cooperatives and why I believe cooperation will always beat competition.
Got A Question For Larry?
Have a leadership challenge you’re facing? Curious about business, mentorship, or navigating big life decisions?
Now’s your chance to get those questions answered!
Going forward I will be answering real questions from real listeners and fans of the show — offering real talk, practical wisdom, and lessons from a life of experience.
Let’s turn your question into a conversation that helps everyone grow!
Thanks for being here, and as always…
Make Today Count!