What led you to start your own business in men’s “the refined country life” leather apparel? What do you enjoy most about your career?

From a young age, I was burdened with a defiant attitude. There was always a better way in my opinion. After finishing my undergrad degree at Missouri State, I went to work in a major department store in St. Louis (corporate America). It didn’t take long to identify the politics and personal agendas permeating that environment. I was more of a no-nonsense, get the job done type of individual that did not have time for those games. Ultimately, I became an independent road representative for several menswear firms, covering the Midwest. While lying on the beach in Puerta Vallarta, during our honeymoon, it occurred to me that if I were not in an account, presenting my lines to the buyer, I was not making a living. Then I remembered the horrible movie, Death of a Salesman. At that moment I made up my mind to build a company that would provide more financial stability for my family.  

What I like most about my career is the ability to create, using leather as my palette, travel the world to develop our collections, and the tremendous people we are privileged to know and do business with, both as suppliers and retailers. 

What and to whom do you attribute your success? 

First, I give thanks to the Lord for gifting me with a creative talent. However, on this side of heaven, my dad was a tremendous influence, as he was insistent on having me obtain a four-year undergraduate degree. Keep in mind, no one in my family, mothers’ or father’s, had ever done so at that time. My dad was a major influence, as he lived the principles that I mentioned above. He also had extremely good taste in his personal style, regularly wearing double breasted, peak lapel suits, with a Panama straw fedora, and English made footwear. Right up there with dad is my wonderful wife, Gay, of forty-two years, who has been a phenomenal wife (better than I deserve), tremendous mother to our three children, best friend, business partner, guidance counselor, and overall, Rock of Gibraltar. 

How would you define a Gentleman?  

Being a gentleman may sound complex to some, but fundamentally, is very simple. Open a door, or pull out a chair for a lady, allow others to go first, never interrupt, be kind even when you disagree, always take time to play with the children, never strike a dog, dress well, even for no reason, always have a manicure, respect others, especially the elderly, and love God. Without Him, you will never have the heart and love, to love others enough to carry out your purpose as a true gentleman.

What advice would you give a young you, or today's younger generation, to help them reach their potential and be the best they can be?

Always maintain an attitude of humility. Be a student of life. Read books. Set personal goals. Prioritize people before profits. Most of all, give your life to the Lord, seek Him every day, and ask for his guidance. After all, He created the universe, as well as everything that has been created. He has the perfect plan for your life, if you will follow Him.

In today’s society, what do you think a gentleman can teach the younger generation about integrity, respect and service? 

There is no greater satisfaction when you go to bed at night, that when you have treated people right, worked hard, placed others ahead of yourself, and accomplished your goals with the highest integrity. Just do things the right way.

How do you incorporate the qualities of a Gentleman in your everyday life?

I am a big believer in chivalry. Whether with my wife, daughter, or the lady I open the door for at the local supermarket. If you live right, then those personal attributes should spill over into every aspect of your life. Of course, my lovely wife keeps me on my toes, which I still regard as privilege and blessing. 

What are your hobbies, activities and favorite pastimes? 

At one time I was a tremendous sports fan. Baseball, football, basketball, golf and tennis. At different times in my life, I played them all. However, growing up on a farm, as well as spending a considerable amount of time with my grandfather who had fox hounds, I became a tremendous animal lover. When our children were young, in addition to coaching their soccer and basketball teams, I gave them their own bird dogs, to go to competition field trials with me. In the fall I would have a father-son, or father-daughter field trial weekend, and we would take their dog to compete. We had a tremendous amount of fun, made wonderful memories, and brought home our fair share of trophies. That love of bird dogs evolved into a love and admiration of the rare Royal Llewellin Setter. I discovered them quite by accident but quickly learned that they were on the brink of extinction in America. Many are not aware that they have already disappeared in their home country of England. I was taken by the little I knew and launched out on a five-year journey of research to uncover as much of their history as possible. Gay and I have traveled to England, searching out little-known facts about this glorious breed. Today we love them tremendously, they are the most loving and beautiful dogs on planet Earth. In order to save these glorious pups, we have developed a small but strict breeding program, designed to protect and improve the breed. 

Tell us about your philanthropic endeavors and why you feel it is essential to give back. 

A wonderful mentor of mine once said to me “no man is an island”. I think he borrowed that from someone else, but nevertheless, he was right. No matter my skills, or hard work ethic, my success would not have occurred without those around me. In addition, the bible says, “to whom much is given, much is required”. The success we have was not given to us by the Lord to keep to ourselves. We are called to bless those around us, especially those who are without, or underprivileged. Gay and I embrace that concept and count it a privilege to support a number of local and national faith-based organizations. 

What is the one thing you do not go a day without? 

Thanking God for what He did for me and telling Gay how much I love her. 

What else would you like our readers to know?

At the end of the day, we are a family that loves leather, views quality as a family tradition, and makes fine leather goods. We are not curing cancer or ending world hunger. I believe that God doesn’t really care what we do for a living, as long as it is legitimate. However, He is HIGHLY concerned with how we do it. Therefore, keep your priorities in order and do not allow the “shiny” things in the world get you off track. For the Dingman family, our priorities are faith, family, friends, leather goods and Llewellins.