Stay Strapped with CrossBreed Holes

Many a great designer have created something from nothing. Some of the greatest designers have created something great from nothing. Mark Craighead, the founder of CrossBreed Holsters, was one such person. In the early 2000s Craighead experimented and tinkered with handgun holsters to find something that worked for his shooting style. Leather was good, but Kydex was also good. After years of trying out other people’s handgun-holster designs, he decided to make his own. He did it in the most American way possible: by going to Walmart and stealing his wife’s kitchen. He built the first of many hybrid leather and Kydex handguns, maximizing leather comfort and durability, with the durability of Kydex. Then his neighbor wanted one. Then his friends wanted one. Next, he started selling his holsters on eBay, and the rest is, as they like to say, handgun-holster-making history with Mark founding CrossBreed Holsters LLC in 2005.According to his wife, Carol, Mark was often asked about the name CrossBreed Holsters. “He wasn’t ashamed to answer this,” she said. Mark died suddenly on August 24, 2012. Mark did two things before he died that ensured his legacy would continue: he married Carol and founded CrossBreed Holsters. “My late husband Mark founded the business in 2005 in our home after searching for the perfect holster,” Carol stated. “After countless research hours and adjustments, Mark finalized the design for our flagship holster, The SuperTuck. After Mark’s untimely death, I was faced with a difficult decision: sell the business Mark had started or devote all my energy to making it the most successful holster manufacturer I could. After years of hardships and struggles, I can proudly say that this company has become.” Since Mark’s death, Carol and the family of employees at CrossBreed Holsters have rallied together to keep Mark’s dream alive of making a handgun holster better. Carol has never stopped supporting Mark’s dream. Mark Craighead, the founder of CrossBreed holsters died on August 24, 2012 Carol said that at 43, Mark Craighead touched many lives through the success of his company and carried the cross in his own unique way for many of his family and friends. “Mark was an incredible advocate of personal protection and the Second Amendment in general,” Carol added. Mark was a gun enthusiast because of his father’s career in law enforcement, and his military service. Mark taught me this, not only by taking time from his busy schedule to bring us to the range. I decided to continue Mark’s legacy of supporting the Second Amendment and firearms ownership through my business and my own journey after Mark died. I have made it a part my life to spend time teaching others about the importance of firearms ownership. Carol grew, learned and adjusted to make CrossBreed Holsters a success. Carol explained that after Mark’s untimely death, she was forced to rely on others for help. “Becoming a Leader meant more than just P&Ls or sales reports. It meant being a trusted ear and a shoulder for people to cry on, and being honest even when it hurt. “His passion for his company, employees and industry is where I learned to give too.” I am fortunate to have several long-term employees. I would not and could not be here without these people. Last, I would like to thank the many people in the industry that have mentored me and have also become dear friends. “CrossBreed Holsters takes pride in its reliability. It notes that all IWB or OWB must feel comfortable without feeling too bulky or putting pressure on the body. The past few years have been particularly challenging for Carol and her CrossBreed Holsters team. The demand for handguns holsters is on the rise, but the supply and logistics needed to keep up with this handgun ownership boom have decreased due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. Carol also noted that other external factors such as politics and labor costs, manufacturing skill sets, and ever-evolving technology took their toll on firearms manufacturers, including CrossBreed Holsters. Carol stated that “all of the items listed have had profound effects on not only our company but all businesses.” Politics can make or ruin your year in firearms and is extremely difficult to plan. COVID-19 has plagued manufacturers with increased costs of materials, increased labor costs, and the difficulty in navigating how to keep employees safe.” Carol knows what CrossBreed Holsters must do to stay successful. “Our goals remain the same at CrossBreed as they have been since the beginning: take good care of our customers, our employees, and make the best concealed carry holsters available,” she said. Carol said that the biggest mistake she sees other companies make is to lose sight of their clients. When you forget those who have supported you over the years, your business is doomed. We have focused on adjusting our processes to allow us to continue producing the highest quality products and absorb as much of these increased expenses as we can. Now, Carol and her family of CrossBreed Holsters employees want customers to know what to expect when they buy CrossBreed’s handgun holsters or firearms accessories. Carol stated that she wanted her customers to know that they were buying a holster that would last a lifetime when they bought a CrossBreed Holster. “We want to give our customers confidence that we will always be here to provide industry-leading service and that they are buying a high-quality holster.” “We will become a family dedicated to producing products in the firearms and adjacent markets,” she said. “By focusing on what’s important and empowering my employees, I have incredible confidence that we will be successful in all our goals.”To learn more about CrossBreed Holsters, visit them at CrossBreedHolsters.com.Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the 2022 CCW special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.More Holsters:NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills – Rifle Range in YARDSThis impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains62 printable targetsfor rifle and handgun range use. 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