From Ranching to Making Boots for Willie Nelson: The Story of Sandhills Boot Company | Building Nebraska

In a town of just a few hundred people, you might not expect to find world-class craftsmanship tucked in a small storefront in Cody, Nebraska. But step inside the Sandhills Boot Company, and you’ll meet Kyle Rosfeld, a man who has spent the last 25 years turning leather into art. Kyle doesn’t just sell boots. He builds them from the ground up, starting with a customer’s footprint and ending with a fit and style you won’t find in any store. “Generally, people come to me because they can’t find something that fits or they want something unique,” Kyle says. “Whatever you want. Color, style, height, I can make it happen.” Kyle honed in on his craft in an untraditional way: no apprenticeship, no formal schooling. Instead, he bought a set of old boot making machines, found an instruction book in the crate, and decided to figure it out himself. Over the years, his work has been worn by some notable names, including country music legend Willie Nelson. Kyle crafted a custom pair for Nelson ahead of the Harvest the Hope concert in Nebraska, and even delivered them in person on the singer’s bus. His advice for young people? “Start your own business early. If it doesn’t work, you’ve learned something valuable. If it does, you’re ahead of the game.”