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COWGIRL CRUSH

Amanda Radke
for Tri-State Livestock News
Courtney Buck is the face of Cowgirl Crush, modeling most of her new inventory herself for promotional photos. Courtesy photo

Saturday, Nov. 29, the day after Black Friday, has become known as Small Business Saturday. The focus is on supporting the small businesses that directly benefit our communities. Leading up to Christmas, we’ll be featuring small businesses that offer great gifts. To suggest a business that you think fits the bill, call us or post on our Facebook page.

For information about Tri-State Livestock News’ Small Business Saturday contest, see the classified section at http://www.tsln.com

It all started with a 4-H project.



Cowgirl Crush, an online women’s boutique, had a modest beginning when owner Courtney (Nolz) Buck started making jewelry to wear to 4-H events and cattle shows.

“I would make these necklaces, and people started asking where I got them,” said Buck, who resides in Watertown, S.D. “Soon, I was selling them right off my neck, and I couldn’t make them fast enough!”



A 2013 graduate of entrepreneurial studies at South Dakota State University, Buck expanded her company while attending college, growing her brand while she learned the ins and outs of business in her collegiate courses. In 2012, she branched out into online retail, opening up her website, http://www.cowgirlcrushxo.com.

Cowgirl Crush quickly went from a small assortment of homemade jewelry to a full line of dresses, blouses, sweaters, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and scarves, all of which she chooses personally from various designers. Inventory is updated daily and often sells out within minutes. She rarely restocks items, making the exclusive red-hot items her customers wait anxiously for.

“I’m constantly on the lookout for new designers,” said Buck. “Fashion is truly my passion, and I love sharing it with others.”

Buck uses social media to help promote her products and maintains a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest Cowgirl Crush pages. In addition to selling clothes, she’s also the face of the brand, modeling most of her new inventory herself for promotional photos. In addition to her online sales, she also does trunk shows and open houses for local clientele.

She has had the pleasure of providing jewelry and even dresses for wedding parties, as well as outfitting the 2014 Miss Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo Queen, Nikki Boomsma. Her boutique has customers all across the U.S., as well as Canada and even Australia.

Cowgirl Crush was featured as an entrepreneur to watch in the SD MyLife magazine, and Buck was recently a speaker at “Entrepreneurs In Agriculture,” held at Northern State University business conference, where she shared with students how she has successfully launched her own business.

She credits her success to her childhood spent on her family’s cattle operation, Nolz Limousin, owned by parents Dave and Peggy Nolz in Mitchell, S.D.

“Growing up on my family’s ranch, I learned from a young age the importance of solid work ethic,” said Buck. “I’m not afraid to work hard and put in long hours. Some weeks, I’m putting in 70+ hours, but I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.”

When Buck needs a breather, she loves to spend time with her husband, Riley, who works as a ranch hand in Lake Norden, S.D. The couple are working to expand their own cowherd, as well, and they still enjoy going to cattle shows in their spare time.

“Now when I attend cattle shows, I can wear Cowgirl Crush from head to toe. When people ask me what I’m wearing, I direct them to my website,” she said with a smile.

Cowgirl Crush is offering some sweet deals for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. On Nov. 28, there will be exclusive discounts up to 50 percent off. On Nov. 29, all inventory will be 25 percent off. Finally, on Dec. 1, there will be free shipping on all orders. Check out http://www.cowgirlcrushxo.com for steals and deals this holiday season.