Modern suitcases and travel cases made by a cowgirl, for cowgirls.
I was excited to sit down with Teresa Johnson, a small business owner and entrepreneur from Krum, Texas, where she lives on a small ranch with her husband and their chickens, horses, a few cows, and miniature Australian Shepherds. Together, they have five grown children and six grandchildren. Teresa has been a nurse for 33 years and most recently has been a travel nurse during Covid. She is of Native American descent and is proud of her Choctaw heritage.
Krysta: How did you get started in your business?
Teresa: I’ve been a nurse for 33 years and never intended to start a business. I went on my first ever “girl’s trip” three years ago and did not have nice luggage or a safe way to carry and travel with my inherited turquoise jewelry. I found a vintage train case, added some Western flair with vintage Western belts, and turned it into a travel jewelry case. Several ladies on the trip asked me to revamp their grandmas‘ train case with my unique vintage Western style. Vintage Cowgirl Cases was born and I had a fun little side business.
Soon thereafter the Covid pandemic began and I started travel nursing. I recognized a need for travel accessories, especially for my cherished squash blossom necklace. Sitting in an airport I designed a squash blossom case to secure and protect my necklace, eventually filing for a patent. I have continued to design and develop western-style jewelry cases, travel accessories, and luggage and am so thrilled to now devote my full time to my business with hopes to get my cases into boutiques/stores nationwide.
Krysta: What motivates you in your business?
Teresa: A desire to design quality and functional travel accessories with a Western flair while incorporating my Native American heritage.
Krysta: What makes your business unique from others?
Teresa: I pride myself in terrific customer service to both individual customers and retailers. I stand behind every case and ship the same day in most cases. I love that customers always speak to me personally. Many have followed my journey from the beginning and are as thrilled to see Vintage Cowgirl Cases grow and flourish as I am. Many customers have become friends and are my true cheerleaders.
Krysta: What does your creative process look like?
Teresa: Most cases I’ve designed after recognizing a particular need while traveling nursing. For instance, my first “design” came about after my cherished squash blossom necklace broke (I traveled with it in a bag). While sitting in an airport on my way to a nursing assignment, I drew an idea on a napkin for a “squash blossom case”. I later filed for a patent for that napkin artwork.
Krysta: Where do you want to be in the next 3 years?
Teresa: I hope to continue to grow and have my cases in more of the mainstream Western stores across the nation and have my VCC brand recognized internationally.
Teresa’s Closing Thoughts
I feel so blessed to get to live my dream. While I am grateful for the rewarding years of being a nurse, my creative side never really got to flourish. I now pour my heart into designing and each of my cases has a unique “story” originating from a need or event. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and Vintage Cowgirl Cases.
You can learn more and see more of Teresa’s Vintage Cowgirl Cases at vintagecowgirlcases.com, and social media. Instagram: @vintagecowgirlcases, FB: Vintage Cowgirl Cases, and TikTok @vintagecowgirlcases1
This article was originally written for the Fall 2023 Issue of Modern Cowboy Magazine. (Previously known as Cowboy Lifestyle Magazine). Catch more stories from this issue below!
