Meet Carrie Ermence | CEO & Founder of Lone Star Roots

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carrie Ermence and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carrie, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?

My favorite quote is from Walt Disney, ” If You Can Dream It, You Can Do it. ”

When I began teaching First Grade in 2008 in Frisco, Texas, it was one of the first quotes I hung up on my classroom wall. I love this quote because it reminds you that your possibilities are endless. If you’re willing to put yourself and your ideas out there, anything can happen. As a little girl, I always wanted to be a teacher, a writer, and a business owner. My family and I began discussing our company ideas in the early 2000s while living in Chicago. What started with garage talk quickly moved to porch talk, basement talk, and pool talk. We just kept on talking and then a move to Texas from the harsh midwestern winters in 2006. Our ideas continued to grow, and we knew we wanted to start a lifestyle brand that not only encompassed our love of family, friendship, faith, community, and Texas but also a platform for giving back to causes we believe in. You know that saying I got here as fast as I could? Texas instantly felt like home.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I was a former First Grade/Kindergarten Teacher. I absolutely loved being a teacher and still keep up with many of my former students and families today. In 2019, I made the hard decision to step away from teaching in what we thought would be an opportunity to travel and a potential opportunity to move to another part of the state. Little did I know my decision to step away from my career was for something more. We learned my Dad was to be scheduled for a quadruple bypass in December of 2019. On the night of his surgery, my father coded for 11 minutes. He spent the next 8 days in ICU, an army of angels that I call Doctors and Nurses keeping him alive. We were able to bring him home on February 19th, 2019. He passed away in his sleep on April 22nd, 2019, from a heart attack. We will forever be grateful for the gift of time. We designed our logo very intentionally to include the heart over Texas and in particular, Dallas and Forth Worth that became our home but also to symbolize or love of Texas and tribute to my late father.

Heart disease prevention is very important to us. We recently met our goal of a portion of our sales to go directly to the American Heart Association in his memory. My husband and I began the trademark process for Lone Star Roots in 2016. Lack of time, trademark process, life happened not to mention a little thing called a pandemic put a delay in our plans. In April 2020, Mark and I looked at each other and said, “what are you waiting for?” With the right team, we were able to get our trademark approved, and Lone Star Roots was trademarked on September 22nd, 2020.

As you can see, it was not easy. We learned to have the right team in place in business, but with persistence, creativity, and love for what you create, you can do anything. Life is not always a straight line. Lone Star Roots is now registered in the US Trademark office.

I want the world to know our story. Our brand has been in the creative works for years. Lone Star Roots was not only created for our love of all things Texas but also as a platform for giving, whether through volunteering or financially in causes we believe in. We were not born in Texas, but we got here as fast as we could when we decided to move here in 2006. We never looked back. I have not only raised a generation of children through teaching, I have also raised my own children here in Frisco. I have 2 fun facts! The first one is that my entire family moved to Texas right after we did. They are in the community as health care professionals, teachers, and in business.

My late father helped open up Independence High School in Frisco, Texas as their beloved parking lot attendant, and a door was created in his memory. Our second fun fact is you will be able to shop Lone Star Roots in the Go Texan Pavilion store at the State Fair this fall! When we created Lone Star Roots, we also trademarked LOVE WHERE YOU COME FROM… ROOT WHERE YOU ARE… What does this mean? Our inspiration for Lone Star Roots comes from the fact that everyday thousands of people call Texas home, and others move, yet Texas never leaves your heart. No matter where home is, you can always have a piece of Texas with you. We have also trademarked THE BADGE OF TEXAS PRIDE and collaborate with state and local Texas businesses to bring you the best of Texas. We are proud to work with Go Texan, Texas Legends, South Austin Gallery, El Arroyo, Outhouse designs, and more.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I love this question. Our friends are always laughing about us being the go-to for trying new things! With that said, you can find us at familiar haunts too such as Sushi Marquis, Common Table, True Fire, Katy Trail, Union Bear, Tender Smokehouse and Rollertown Beer Works. We love supporting local restaurants, wineries, and breweries. There are so many great places to visit in the state of Texas! We have some of the best restaurants and breweries in the state. When friends come to town, we love to visit The Star, Shops of Legacy, downtown McKinney, attend a Dallas Mavericks game, Texas Legends, Frisco Roughriders or Texas Rangers game. A week-long trip would be a stop in Dallas to see the skyline, outdoor markets and museums, Fort Worth for the Stockyards, Austin for live music, food trucks and boating, San Antonio for the River Walk and a stop to Fredericksburg. We love hanging out at Katy Trail, Roller Town Beer Works Celina, Fortunata Winery for great people watching, and Legacy Hall Plano for concerts!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I absolutely love being able to give a shoutout! First of all, to all our family, friends, and friends we are meeting along the way we can’t thank you enough for your support of Lone Star Roots. Whether our story resonates with you, you love our gear, or consistently follow us on social media, visit our pop-ups, online or in-store. We thank you! To my husband, Mark, you’re my rock, and my children Jack and Taylor, who jump in and assist in our company whenever they can! To my sister, Stacie, you’ve always been full of ideas and help lead the course and very much a part of the Lone Star Roots beginnings. To my brothers and their families for keeping us laughing and creative! To my Mom, for being one of the greatest little t-shirt folders in Texas and inspiration.

My last shoutout would be to my late Dad, that gentle nod in the heart we created in our logo. Our heart stands for love of community, faith, friendship, and, most of all, family. You’re always in our hearts and a reminder that love is everlasting!