Matt and Amanda Kimes are the owners and founders of Kimes Ranch, a western apparel company out of Scottsdale, Arizona. Matt and Amanda were married in 2009 and during the plight of a recessed economy, Matt’s insurance business was slow. The couple had talked at length about starting a jean company but had felt that timing wasn’t right and money was always too tight to start such a risky venture.
They knew there was a strong need for a better quality jean in the market but had no experience in production or design, and no funding. With all of these barriers in front of them, they still pursued their dream. Despite nay-sayers, banks not lending to start-ups, consumers purchasing at an all time low, and unemployment at an all time high, they went for it.
With a dream to create THE JEAN that was missing from the western world, Matt and Amanda sourced every element of their production-finding the best team of cutters, sewers, and washers until their product was undeniably the best fit and quality. They created a jean versatile enough to crossover from western to everyday wear, with a medium waist line for women that allowed high enough coverage while riding but low enough rise to mimic a fashionable street jean. Their men’s jean took on details that others had not considered, like a knife pocket and a more attractive back pocket placement.
Originally their orders were small as they had a limited amount of capital to work with. With each sale they put the money back into the company to grow the next order. They were a two-man show working trade shows, designing and selling. They worked from their horse ranch, which still houses their head office, storage and shipping. Although the jeans were an immediate hit, their road was not without bumps.
Originally named Longhorn Jean Company, and then LJC Apparel, they finally have found their home with Kimes Ranch. This name encompasses the brand, and the history of a couple with western roots, raised in the horse industry, that built a life and a business together at Kimes Ranch. Together they were the couple that made the original “Horn” jeans everyone was raving about.
Matt and Amanda name their jean styles after the animals on the ranch, and the Betty and Barney styles were named after their longhorn cows. Barney remains the ranch mascot and was the inspiration for the horn pockets the brand is famous for. Matt and Amanda place a personal guarantee on their all American made product and offer the best customer service around. If you have a concern about their product you can call them directly.
