For Veterans Day: An Army Ranger Becomes a Beef Entrepreneur
After serving in Afghanistan where he lost his brother-in-law and fellow Army Ranger, Patrick Montgomery began to search for a new mission – one that would give him renewed purpose and help other vets find some peace. So he finished his degree in animal science, bought a ranch outside Kansas City and began producing and selling Wagyu beef as KC Cattle Co.
Wagyu is known for its intricate marbling and “umami” flavor, making it a natural for steaks. But when his Wagyu beef hot dogs were declared best by Food & Wine magazine, his business, which employs only veterans, really took off.
KC Cattle Co. also makes and sells beef, roasts, brats, burgers, and ground beef, all from Wagyu. He sells from his own shop, online and in a few regional stores.
Today, as he looks back on his first five years, Montgomery can share many insights on what has kept KC Cattle Co. afloat during challenging times. A few things he considers keys to the company’s success:
- Applying learnings and values from his time in the 75th Ranger Battalion.
- Steadfast commitment to delivering a premium product every time. (Military legacy brings many customers in, but quality keeps them coming back.)
- A keen understanding of the market and a business model that helped the company not only survive but grow during the global pandemic.
- Prioritizing the customer even during upswings in cattle pricing and general inflation; holding off price increases for two years, and then mitigating the impact by slashing shipping prices.
- Forging a unique brand identity and story in the face of increasing category competition.
Happy Veterans Day, Patrick, and thank you for your service.
