Hooligan Designs Lisa Roth
Good quality work is hard to find in every aspect in life. If there is not enough energy or passion put into the product it will show. When the passion is poured in, and mixed with hard work, it shines through, and you find truly outstanding products, whatever it may be.
Edson, Alberta resident Lisa Roth is one of those people whose passion shows in her work. Roth owns Hooligan Designs, a custom tack shop that makes a horse stand out from the crowd, which she started up 6 years ago. One year prior to opening her business, she started making chair cushions and Christmas stockings. When she decided to get serious about her leather work she spent a winter taking lessons from a well known and respected saddle maker-turned-tool-maker, Elton Joorisity, where he taught her the importance of proper construction. A year later is when she started carving leather, which was all self taught by studying drawings and carvings done by people she looked up to. With a lot of practice, Lisa continues to create masterpieces that are showcased on many talented Albertans in the rodeo arena as well as others across North America. Next month during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, her work will be in the spotlight for the world to see.
You are making all of Jana Beans tack for the WNFR this year! How did this come about?
Shortly after the final PRCA rodeo of the year, I was contacted one morning by Jana’s agent. She told me about Jana, and her personal style, and asked if I’d like to build her tack for this year’s NFR. After that phone call, I just sat there in awe. Just a regular ‘ol Monday morning turned into something really special. I’ll never look at Monday’s the same!
Are you going to go down to Vegas to watch at all this December?
I am going and it will be my maiden voyage, but not specifically because I’m building Jana’s tack. Both of my kids qualified for the Mini Bareback Championship, held during the NFR, so am going down to watch them ride. This wasn’t planned until the last minute, so I feel very fortunate to be able to watch Jana ride while I’m there. Its funny how things that are supposed to work out, do.
How does it make you feel that your work will be on such a huge platform for the world to see?
Well, I’m a pretty shy person actually, and I really don’t like being the center of attention. So at times its been a personal struggle to keep putting myself out there, putting a booth up here and there, talking to people in person. I’m getting better at it, but it scares the crap out of me… (And you know what they say about doing things that scare you…) Also, I’m my own worst critic, but have learned to let little things go – little things that only I would catch. I believe the work I did for Jana has been some of my best work yet (some of those items I re-did 3 and 4 times before I was happy with how they looked!) So I’m feeling pretty confident to have her fellow competitors and friends, and the rest of the world oogling my work.
Are you prepared for order overload? I can just imagine the number of people who will want your work!
I’ve been a lot busier ever since word went out about teaming up with Jana. I’ve always had a good following here in Canada, and my US orders have kept me going when the economy here hasn’t been the greatest. But I’m finding many more orders coming in and just feel so blessed and thankful for my new customers, and especially to my returning customers. I feel its an honor for a customer to trust me to build them things for their horses, especially when they don’t know me. I know how I am with my own horse, and feel privileged people trust me enough to build stuff for their horse.
What are your future goals and dreams for Hooligan Designs?
Honestly, if you had asked me when I started doing this if I thought my stuff would ever be at the NFR, I would have said no out loud, but yes on the inside. People who know me know I always have my head in the clouds. I seem to always have these big ideas, big plans, and I’m pretty sure they roll their eyes when I tell them about them, ha ha. I do have bigger plans for Hooligan Designs, but they are with people, not the business as much (maybe they are one in the same?!). I’d love to team up with a certain newly-wed PRCA husband and wife duo!
But I’m very satisfied, happy and thankful to be teamed up with Jana. I’m equally as thankful to be teamed up with CPRA Team Roping Header, Kolton Schmidt. I’ve always been in awe of Kolton’s talent, work ethic, and horsemanship. When he approached me about a sponsor opportunity, I didn’t even think twice. This is my first year with Kolton, and am looking forward to his CFR run. That guy has a large future ahead of him! Very blessed to be teamed up with him.
I also sponsor some CPRA cowboys and girls including Grady Quam and Randa Nugent, along with some amateur rodeo cowboys and girls including Justin Potts, Laura VanDyk, Sam Smith and her sister Kennedy Smith. Its important to me to keep the people I sponsor well-rounded, and not just have the big stars. These people do a lot of work pushing and promoting my work, and I’m so thankful to have them as part of my team.
What are your favorite pair of cowboy boots and your favorite Lipstick?
Let’s just say I’m in-between boots right now, still wearing the old Ariats, yet still looking for that perfect pair of new boots that will catch my eye and spin me into a retail coma like I’ve never known. I’m a good ‘ol Lip Conditioner type of gal; Lipstick scares me….
Along with the great leather work, Lisa and her Husband Lance own PC Double Frost, a buckskin stallion out of Sun Frost. Check him out here.
