Zkano Socks: Building a Business to Be Proud of

In this episode of The Localist, Gina Locklear, founder of Zkano Socks, shares the journey of maintaining a small-scale, sustainable sock manufacturing business in Fort Payne, Alabama. She discusses challenges, values and the significance of consumer choices in supporting local businesses. Locklear also highlights the impact of receiving the American Made award from Martha Stewart and her commitment to quality rather than aggressive expansion.   Mentioned in this episode: Zkano Website: https://zkano.com/ Zkano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zkano_socks Sock Queen of Alabama article: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/fashion/sock-business-alabama.html American Flannel: https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-flannel-how-a-band-of-entrepreneurs-are-bringing-the-art-and-business-of-making-clothes-back-home-steven-kurutz/20456379?ean=9780593329610 Riverhead Books: https://www.penguin.com/riverhead-overview/ Golden Temple: https://goldentemplehealthfood.com/ Martha Stewart American Made: https://www.al.com/living/2015/11/little_river_sock_mill_fort_pa.html Mike Rowe interview with Steven Kurutz: https://mikerowe.com/2024/04/american-flannel-with-steven-kurutz-ep-380/ Liesa Cole: https://liesacole.com/ Club Duquette: https://clubduquette.co/ Wild Bird: https://birmingham.wbu.com/ Birmingham Museum of Art: https://www.artsbma.org/ Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/ Little Professor: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/ Store Locator: https://zkano.com/pages/store-locator Stephen King's book 11/22/63: https://bookshop.org/p/books/11-22-63-stephen-king/7060372?ean=9781451627299