Belted Cow

About Belted Cow Company

about-belted-cow-2k.jpg
Belted Cow Company was started in 2004 with a simple idea, some unabashed enthusiasm (some may call it ignorance), a bit of luck, and as other entrepreneurs will confirm, a lot of hard work. Our original product, the ribbon belt, had been in existence for the better part of a century when we started. Consequently, motif belts were already a staple of casual fashion—so who was I to think we could shake things up?
My vision was firm, a belt should be as unique as the person wearing it. The designs would be our most obvious point of difference and I initially reached out to several local artisans and a few friends to try their hand at designing belts. The results were fun and vibrant, a fresh take on the familiar ribbon belt. Today we are proud to say we work with a great group of illustrators, painters and even potters to design new belts, dog collars and other products that are truly unique.
erik-hopkins-1abc.jpg
With proof of concept and a handful of initial belt orders, I worked tirelessly to assemble a team that could produce our belts. "Local" would continue to be the driving force behind Belted Cow Company, and as luck would have it, our community in Maine has a rich history in the cut and sew industries. We continue to produce our products right here in Maine with high quality materials sourced from around the world. Collaborating with and employing local craftspeople not only supports our ideology of "local" but it also allows us to remain agile, and quickly incorporate new ideas into our product line.
In 2004, the Belted Cow Company brand was born, but why the belted cow? It's a question I get asked often. Our name comes from my college days in Vermont where cows typically outnumbered people and the urban legend of cow tipping (not something I participated in) was supposed to be the local Friday night activity. One breed, the Belted Galloway, always stood out from the herd. Also known as "Oreo cows" for their resemblance to the popular cookie, Belted Galloways are a hearty Scottish breed with a striking white belt around their middles. When you come upon them, you can’t help but do a double take. Standing out from the herd resonated and the fact that the word "belt" was in the name made it the obvious choice.
As we enter our 17th year in business, our goal remains to design unique pieces that will be a part of your wardrobe for years to come. Over the years, our product lines have evolved, and they will continue to do so. We hope you love our products just as much as we have loved making them for you, your family, and your pets. We look forward to helping you all stand out from the herd!
jim-signature-1.png
Jim Taylor and the Belted Cow Company Family
bc-old-t-shirt-graphic-1.jpg