Our Story
What is a Maverick Man anyhow?
There were many things about daily life in rural Georgia in the fifties that taught Jerry practical things. Daily chores provided opportunities for accountability. Once he “forgot” to bring in the kindling. The next morning his dad sent Jerry out into the dark and cold to cut kindling, while he went back to bed, leaving Jerry to build the fire. Amazingly, that was the last time that happened! His dad was an uneducated man but his wisdom taught Jerry valuable lessons that never were forgotten.
Rural life also gave him daily access to the great outdoors where he spent most of his time hunting, hiking, exploring and dreaming. He loved Western movies. Roy Rogers and Gene Autry were his heroes. He dreamed of being a cowboy someday and having his own ranch and horses (a dream he would realize in his twenties!). He would sometimes dress like a cowboy.
Jerry’s older brother is a Viet Nam vet - sent over in 1960-62 before it was declared a war, and when soldiers were still venerated and honored. When Franklin came home on leave one weekend, Jerry was more than thrilled to see him again! And to top it off, Franklin let Jerry wear a new pair of cowboy boots he had purchased. Jerry was feeling mighty proud in these boots, literally walking in the shoes of his older brother – an American soldier, a gunner.
Stepping onto the bus that next week, in those shiny new boots, Jerry was confronted by the same bully that had been badgering him since he arrived in this little Georgia town years ago. This guy was much older, taller, and heavier than Jerry was, so the bullying persisted until that day. When the boy intentionally stomped on those special boots, from his revered older brother (and spit out a snide remark, as well), that was it!! Without hesitation, Jerry put the big guy on the ground and kept pounding until the bus driver stopped him and took them both to the principal’s office to get their due. What Jerry gained from the incident far outweighed the pain he received. “The self-confidence I gained from standing up for myself that morning is still with me today.” From this point on, Jerry hasn't let anybody or anything stop him from achieving his goals.
Jerry Morris (L) and older brother (R) - Sept 1960
Jerry went to work in a factory at 18, which started a forty-year career, eventually advancing to plant manager. It was there where he learned that hard work, perseverance and confidence were keys to his success. He also maintained respect and loyalty from his employees by employing this motto: “Give others credit for achievements and take responsibility for failures.”
It didn’t take long as a working man, for Jerry to realize that he saw his world a little differently than most. He could not just sit still and hold his tongue when situations or things, in his opinion, were not right. “If something could be better, then it’s not right, its only right when it’s the best it can be.”
Some of his methods of getting things done and making things better were considered to be unconventional. He enjoys trying new methods, especially when they get the job done. Even today, he is still not okay with blindly assuming that all is well because “this is how it has always been”. He believes that achieving results is more important than following tradition. “Just because it has never been done is not an excuse not to try. It has never bothered me to stand alone”, says Jerry. He would remind us that eagles fly alone and pigeons flock together. Today, Jerry owns his own company and has four patents that came from some of his unconventional ideas for making something better.
Jerry, with his older brother, Franklin at 78, 2020
The Maverick Man brand grew out of another business. Jerry's wife was making glass cabochons from a new art form to make jewelry and they caught Jerry's eye. (Katsartisanjewelry.com). As she made more and more of these, Jerry was getting ideas of his own, for how to use these for something for men. How about a bolo? Before long, Kat had made more than a few bolos, which we introduced in 2020, and they were beginning to sell. What should we call this unusual collection of men’s goods? Maverick Man brand was born!
We introduced our world-exclusive bolos made from slate a month later in 2020. Now our top seller, slate bolos are what we like to call "distinctly uncommon". Slate bolos can be customized with a stainless steel cross or rhinestones, but they are fabulous all by themselves.
Since then we've added a huge collection of titanium and tungsten steel rings, along with some great beaded, leather, and stainless steel bracelets to our line of unique men's accessories.
Discover for yourself why Maverick Man unique mens accessories are good for your look and your pocketbook.