Today we’d like to introduce you to Connor Rodriguez.
Hi Connor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really grew out of a love for photography, Texas culture, and the western lifestyle that still runs deep throughout Texas and the surrounding communities that is Central Texas. What started as simply documenting the things I enjoyed—western fashion, boots, rodeos, and everyday Texas life—gradually became a way for me to tell the stories of the people, places, and traditions that make this part of Texas unique. I was born and raised in South Texas in the small town of Harlingen, TX. My brothers and I grew up seeing our parents start their own business and grow it from a few rental properties to Real Estate Investment Properties and to creating their own restaurant and business plaza in the heart of Harlingen. We grew up on what used to be an ostrich farm prior to us moving to the property on the outskirts of Harlingen.
I later relocated to the greater Austin area where I would attend local jackpots and team ropings, rodeos at the Williamson County Expo Center, and more. Living in the greater Austin area puts you in a special position; you have the energy and creativity of the city, but you don’t have to travel far to find rodeo arenas, small Texas towns, ranches, dance halls, and communities where western traditions are still very much a part of everyday life.
You are also centrally located in the sense that you have Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston all well within a 2 hour drive from one another. As well as small towns and their local rodeos as well like Dripping Springs, Boerne, New Braunfels, Weatherford, and more.
I’ve made it a point to get out to local rodeos and western events throughout Central Texas, capturing everything from the action inside the arena to the quieter moments behind the scenes—the competitors, families, fashion, livestock, and people who keep the culture going. I will even reach out to local breeders, ranchers, and farmers to try and capture life on the ranch. It is all so exciting to me and I love meeting folks and getting to exchange ideas about content and asking questions about business trying to learn as much as I can.
That’s really what @connorfxdb has become for me: a visual documentation of the modern western lifestyle and the entire culture surrounding it. My goal is to show that the western lifestyle isn’t something Texas left in the past. It’s alive, evolving, and happening right here around Austin, and I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to help tell that story through my lens.
As I continued on my journey, I wanted to find a way to be able to do content creation full time and make Western Photography and Western Lifestyle Content my profession. This is where my personal image and brand, Brand 1701 and Outpost Hat Haus were created. In December of 2022, my Father passed away. He left behind a loving wife, his grandsons and granddaughters, and 3 sons. I love when I get the chance to talk about my Father. Even with being several years since his passing, I hold him in my thoughts and close to my heart that when I get to talk about him I feel overjoyed of his memories and all he taught my brothers and I. Him and my mother are motivators in a lot of what I do. In July of 2023, I created Brand 1701 to honor my Father as well as our family as a whole. The 1701 in the brand name is for our home address where we grew up and how we were raised – Southern gentlemen. I also created a “Traditions” collection where the trucker caps have a “1937” embroidered on the top of them and that is the year he was born; when people buy those caps and wear them, it’s as if he is still traveling the world and thinking of that always brings such a warm smile to my face.
A few years after I began selling 3D printed hat blocks for reblocking felt hats as well as blocking felt bodies from scratch for hatters and hat shops. This is when Outpost Hat Haus was born. A local hat shop selling hat blocks, hat stands, as well as straw hats and felt hats.
I am self taught in a lot of what I do with regards to social media. I have learned to draft and create proposals to create opportunities for paid collaborations and partnerships with brand and I wear many hats when needed. I am my own marketing agent, social media coordinator, manager, brand specialist, photographer, editor, and more. What started off as a couple “fit checks” has grown from a creative outlet into a platform that has given me the opportunity to create content and work alongside some of the biggest and most recognizable brands in the western industry. What makes that growth meaningful is being able to build those partnerships while staying true to the Texas culture and western lifestyle with the opportunity to meet so many great people at events and hearing their stories. Even when people message me their outfits of something they gained inspiration from the reels I post or something for to to consider when making my outfits, I find it to be a blessing to be able to get those interactions. Moving forward, I plan to continue growing the page through photography, storytelling, brand collaborations, and a greater presence at rodeos and western events across Texas and beyond—while continuing to showcase the people, traditions, and communities that keep the western lifestyle alive.
This will be my first year attending the NFR in Las Vegas, Nevada and I could not be more excited. My goals for the future is to be able to attend more rodeos and events outside Texas as paid collaborations and partnerships and to continue growing the brands.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been, but with every journey comes a few road bumps, pot holes, missed turns. I wouldn’t say they are struggles, but rather lessons to learn from. Currently the main obstacle is finding a good supplier for hats that does not require a substantial quantity. As we are still a small hat shop, we are slowly expanding as our needs do. With that being said, our current capital is low therefore as is our ability to purchase and a lot of hat shops require higher volume. This has not deterred me, it has only taught me how to search and look for that vendor. Identify the problem and begin working towards a solution.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am mainly known for content revolving around Western Fashion and Lifestyle, but I also pride myself in capturing photos of Western Lifestyle and Rodeos. What I would say I am most proud of is my mindset and being able to discuss with people about framing things in a positive mindset.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I believe it was all captured in the first question.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.outposthathaus.com
- Instagram: @connorfxdb
- Facebook: @connorfxdb
