A BOOT FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE

Born June 4 1935, in the Hacienda of San Christobal, a town next to what is now the capitol of shoe and boot making, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico . 

  At the age of 15, Juan Cruz was taught the craft of boot making by his uncle Vicente Martinez.  He created his first pair of boots then, and he never looked back..

In the late 1950's, uncle Vicente, brother Teodulo, and Juan, were the makers of Franklin and Bronco Boots.

in the 1960's, the same trio was the bottom work for custom orders for Ben Miller boots, and Tony Lama boots.  Tony Lama once called them " the champagne of boot makers. "

In the 1970's, Juan continued with Tony Lama and helped in maintaining quality in what then, was a booming industry.

  In the 1980's, the two brothers, along with most of their male children, joined T.O. Stanley team, and continued the journey in maintaining quality In the cowboy boot industry.

Later, Juan created a magnificent bottom work team, that included he's younger brother Jesus Cruz, and joined team Ammons. 

It was here that Marcos, youngest son of Juan, finally fell in love with the creation of boot making.

In 1994, Juan the master laster, Ismael the perfectionist master top work craftsmen,  and apprentice Marcos, became the core of what became  J&M Custom Boots.  

This trio became the makers of Tom Taylor boots in Santa Fe, NM, from 1994 to 2009. 

 Marcos has been blessed to have two great masters as his teachers.  Although his father  Juan Cruz is no longer with us, they continue to strive in preserving the legacy of the Cowboy Boot. His mission is also to preserve the legacy of his father Juan Cruz, and some day be the gentleman and artist that Juan once was.  Marcos is proud to now be called a master boot maker, but he will continue to have his dad’s mentality, ”You are never a master at this, there is so much to learn every day”. , and will strive to get better everyday.

This trio worked hard in maintaining the quality and preserving the genuine way of creating an authentic handcrafted boot.  And now, Ismael and Marcos will continue to worke side by side,  for a long life dream that Juan Cruz  had all his life, " to make the best possible boot in the world ."