Berna Macías started selling cowboy hats at a flea market in 1991 to feed her six children. Today, her family operates four western wear stores across Houston.
HOUSTON — A simple weekend business started by a mother of six to help make ends meet has grown into a thriving enterprise across the Houston area over the past three decades.
Berna Macías began selling cowboy hats at a local flea market in 1991, noting their popularity at the time. When asked why she chose a flea market to start her business, Macías explained simply, “It was very cheap.”
Thirty-four years later, her son Raul Macías still operates the original flea market business on Airline Drive, maintaining the family’s hat-crafting tradition.
“You got to put the right amount of steam for the right material to be able to crease it,” he explained while demonstrating his hat-shaping technique.
From the beginning, this has always been a family operation. Berna brought her children to work with her, and they all became involved in the business. Alfredo Macías says, “I am the baby of the family. I’m the sixth one.”
The motivation behind the business was straightforward. Alfredo explains: “Just trying to feed the family. And that’s a lot of money to feed six kids, five boys. And they eat a lot.”
The enterprise eventually expanded to include its first storefront, though not without challenges.
“One time when they robbed the store, I thought I’d close it all, because I lost everything,” Berna Macías recalled.
Despite this setback, the family business not only survived but flourished. Today, the Macías family operates four brick-and-mortar stores—Indomable and Silver Back Rodeo—in addition to their original flea market stall. Their businesses sell various western wear, brand belts and hats, offer hat-shaping services, and provide traditional boot repair for genuine cowboys and ranchers. The family enterprises now employ nearly 30 people, about half of whom are family members, including grandchildren.
The next generation has expanded the business into trendy new areas, operating hat bars in restaurants and upscale hotels, and have booths at Rodeo Houston and other rodeos.
As for 73-year-old Berna, now a great-grandmother to 14, she continues to work seven days a week, demonstrating the work ethic that has driven the family’s success.
When asked what they would say to their mother, Alfredo responded emotionally, “Thank you for instilling hard work and habits in me. And I love you.”
Indomable Aldine:
11914 Aldine Westfield Rd, Houston, TX 77093
Indomable Cleveland:
US-59 S, Cleveland, TX 77328, south of Morgan Cemetery Road
Indomable Canal:
4616 Canal St, Houston, TX 77011
Silverback Rodeo Co.:
11649 TX-249, Houston, TX 77086
Suite 1200
Flea Market
Mercado Sábadomingo
8712 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77037