PrintStore spotlight: Rewards
Russ Stromberg opened Rewards in 1995 in Austin, Texas, after spending 20 years as president of a Los Angeles hospital.
"I bought a house in Austin to retire, but I just couldn’t see myself playing golf every day," he says.
A lifelong collector of belts, buckles, and Western jewelry, Stromberg turned his passion into a new business.
"Over the years I got to know all the top buckle makers and many of the jewelers. I told my wife, Claudia, 'Let's open a store here and put the best of everything we know in it.'"
Shortly after Rewards opened, one high-profile customer put the new business on the map.
"The lieutenant governor of Texas bought buckles for everyone in the state senate, as well as the governor at the time, George W. Bush," Stromberg says.
Still popular with Texas VIPs and national figures, including celebrities, politicians, and professional golfers, the company also makes the official buckle sets for the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Baylor University and was an official vendor for the Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Balls in 2004 and 2008.
Making buckles is an American art form at Rewards. Customers choose from more than 400 sterling silver and 14kt gold buckles, each signed by the artist, and thousands of handcrafted belts in fine leathers and exotic skins.
Custom creations with company logos, initials, or ranch brands can be made upon request.
Though the company sells its "subtle signs of success" throughout the world, Stromberg still enjoys meeting customers in person.
"We like to welcome customers as we would welcome them into our home."
— David Hofstede
• Info: Rewards, 9722 Great Hills Trail, Suite 300, Austin, TX, 800-292-0195, www.shoprewards.com
Issue: June 2009
