In this episode of The Localist, Gina Locklear, founder of Zkano Socks, shares the journey of maintaining a small-scale, sustainable sock manufacturing business in Fort Payne, Alabama. She discusses challenges, values and the significance of consumer choices in supporting local businesses. Locklear also highlights the impact of receiving the American Made award from Martha Stewart and her commitment to quality rather than aggressive expansion.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Zkano Website: https://zkano.com/

Zkano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zkano_socks

Sock Queen of Alabama article: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/fashion/sock-business-alabama.html

American Flannel: https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-flannel-how-a-band-of-entrepreneurs-are-bringing-the-art-and-business-of-making-clothes-back-home-steven-kurutz/20456379?ean=9780593329610

Riverhead Books: https://www.penguin.com/riverhead-overview/

Golden Temple: https://goldentemplehealthfood.com/

Martha Stewart American Made: https://www.al.com/living/2015/11/little_river_sock_mill_fort_pa.html

Mike Rowe interview with Steven Kurutz: https://mikerowe.com/2024/04/american-flannel-with-steven-kurutz-ep-380/

Liesa Cole: https://liesacole.com/

Club Duquette: https://clubduquette.co/

Wild Bird: https://birmingham.wbu.com/

Birmingham Museum of Art: https://www.artsbma.org/

Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/

Little Professor: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/

Store Locator: https://zkano.com/pages/store-locator

Stephen King’s book 11/22/63: https://bookshop.org/p/books/11-22-63-stephen-king/7060372?ean=9781451627299