And Then Came Anson Belt For Her: Growing a Family, a Business, and a Mission
Roots and Beginnings
When my husband, David, and my father-in-law, Frank, first encountered the concept of a holeless, micro-adjustable belt, they had no idea it would shape the future of our family. It all began back in 2006, when Frank returned from a trip to Asia with my sister-in-law Leah, bringing home a rather unusual souvenir—a belt with no holes, but a unique buckling mechanism that allowed for a perfect fit every time. After years of wrestling with traditional belts and always wishing for a hole "just in between," he realized he had stumbled upon a simple but revolutionary idea.
Frank’s excitement quickly turned into curiosity. He searched high and low, in stores and online, but couldn’t find another belt like it. Recognizing both the opportunity and the need, he teamed up with David to bring this innovation to others. Together, they spent nearly four years researching, redesigning, and perfecting what would become Anson Belt & Buckle.
In 2009, after much hard work and dedication, they proudly launched Anson Belt & Buckle—a family business built on the promise of comfort, style, and a perfect fit for everyone. What started as a quest for a better belt quickly grew into a company rooted in innovation and family values, dedicated to making life a little more comfortable, one belt at a time.
We didn’t grow Anson on our own—it’s been a journey shaped by incredible people and meaningful connections. Early on, partnering with Armstrong & Getty for radio advertising helped spread the word in ways we never could have imagined. Later, connecting with influencers from MenFluential brought another wave of growth; their videos went viral and introduced our belts to a whole new audience. Thanks to these partnerships, and the support of so many friends, collaborators, and customers, we were honored to be recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Companies for several years—ranking #1084 in 2018, #589 in 2019, and #1516 in 2020.
But 2020 brought a whole new set of challenges. As a belt company, we were hit hard when Covid changed daily routines—suddenly people were working from home, and belts became less of a necessity. It was a difficult and uncertain time, and it tested us in ways we hadn’t faced before. Surviving that season meant coming together as a family and a team, making tough decisions, and realizing that if we wanted Anson to thrive, we needed to dive all in—investing more of our energy, creativity, and heart into the business than ever before. That experience pushed us to adapt, innovate, and truly commit as a family, and it made us stronger and more grateful for every connection and every customer who stuck with us.
My Journey Into the Family Business
Before becoming part of the Anson Belt & Buckle story, my life was centered around caring for others in a very different way. My nursing journey began at the bedside, where I learned the power of listening and the importance of compassion. Driven by a passion to do more for my patients, I became a Family Nurse Practitioner, specializing in Endocrinology for six years. I spent years supporting people through some of their toughest challenges—helping those with diabetes, PCOS, insulin resistance, and thyroid conditions navigate complicated diagnoses and find hope.
My dedication to women’s health became deeply personal after I faced my own battles with cervical cancer and infertility. These experiences gave me even greater empathy for my patients and fueled my desire to be an advocate for women’s health in every way I could. I understood firsthand the fears, frustrations, and resilience that so many women carry.
In 2016, everything changed when our son was born. I made the decision to step away from my career to stay home with him—a choice that both challenged and enriched me. For the first time, I found myself navigating the delicate balance between my identity as a nurse and my new role as a mother. Stepping back from a busy medical practice was not easy, but it gave me a new perspective on work, family, and what it truly means to find balance. It taught me to value the small, everyday moments and to recognize that the most meaningful work can sometimes happen right at home.
During those early years at home, while our son (and then daughter) napped or after David had settled in for another late night working on Anson, I found myself searching for ways to stay connected and make a difference. I started a little blog called CrystalCoastFamily.com as a way to gather and share the information I was always seeking for my own family—resources, local tips, and encouragement for parents. Around the same time, I launched several women’s advocacy accounts on Instagram to support women facing cervical cancer, infertility, and diabetes, drawing on both my own experiences and my background in practice. The world of social media was new territory for me, but I dove in and taught myself everything I could—how to make reels, use hashtags, and reach people in meaningful ways. When Anson introduced a ladies’ line in 2020, I realized I could bring these new skills to our family business, helping to share the story and connect with women in a whole new way. Just a few months later, it felt only natural to officially join the Anson team, blending my passion for advocacy and communication with our growing family legacy.
Anson Belt For Her: Expanding the Family Mission
In 2020, after years of hearing from women who wanted the same comfort and versatility their husbands, brothers, and sons had discovered, we decided it was time to launch Anson Belt For Her. Our customers had been asking for a women’s line—belts that offered the same micro-adjustable fit, style, and freedom from holes that Anson had become known for. Their requests inspired us to expand, and we were excited to bring those signature Anson features to women’s wardrobes everywhere.
The launch of Anson Belt For Her felt especially meaningful to me—not just as part of the family behind the business, but as someone who had spent years connecting with women online and understanding what they look for in products that truly work for their lives. I knew how much a little comfort and confidence could matter in the everyday moments.
As the women’s line began to take off, I realized that the skills I’d picked up from blogging and social media advocacy could be a real asset to our family business. In January 2021, I officially joined the Anson team, bringing my experiences, creativity, and voice to help share what makes Anson Belt For Her special. It’s been a joy to help connect with women on @ansonbeltforher in this new way and to see our family business grow into something that serves even more people.
Link to one of the first videos introducing Anson Belt For Her from November 20, 2020.
What It Means to Grow a Family Business
As I sit here today, celebrating our 15-year anniversary, I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come. We’re working together in a beautiful office while our kids are at school—a milestone that once felt so far away. But this moment is the result of countless long, long nights, late work sessions at the kitchen table, and all the ups and downs that come with running a family business. Working with family isn’t always easy, but it’s always meaningful. Each of us brings our unique strengths—David and his dad’s innovation and business sense, my compassion and creativity, and a shared dedication to quality and care.
One of the greatest joys along the way has been the chance to hire a couple of our best friends, turning our workplace into an even bigger family. Now, our kids and nephew dream of joining the team one day, and it fills us with pride to see them inspired by what we’re building together. Watching Anson Belt & Buckle grow, adapt, and reach more people over the years has been incredibly rewarding. Through it all, my priorities remain clear: being Mama comes first, then supporting our family business, and always giving back through volunteer work whenever I can. Every role is woven into the fabric of our journey, making each challenge and triumph along the way truly worthwhile.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Anson
Anson continues to grow—not just in the products we offer, but in the impact we’re able to make. This summer marks a new and exciting chapter: starting in mid-June, we’ll be leasing a warehouse right down the road in Newport, which means we finally get to bring our fulfillment home to Carteret County. You might be hearing it here first! While we’ll keep our office headquarters right where we love it—on the Beaufort Waterfront—having our warehouse so close by will give us more control and allow us to provide a few jobs for the community. We’re genuinely excited for this step, even if we’re a little nervous, just hoping everything goes smoothly.
It’s wild to look back and remember those early days, shipping orders out from an unfinished space in the bottom of our house. Before Christmas one year, a couple of our best friends stayed up with us pulling all-nighters to get last-minute orders out the door. Now, some of those same friends have put their names on the list for potential hours or positions—except this time, instead of working in our basement, we’ll have a real warehouse! When we moved to a fulfillment center in Virginia back in 2016, it was exactly what we needed at the time, and it’s served us well. But now, bringing things back home feels right. It’s a chance to deepen our roots and invest in the place we love.
Growing together as a family and as a business has been full of challenges and blessings. We’re grateful for every step, every late night, and every person who has come alongside us on this journey. As we look ahead to this next chapter—with our headquarters in Beaufort and our warehouse in Newport—our greatest hope is to keep building something meaningful, right here at home, together.
In Closing
Every stitch in an Anson belt is a piece of our family’s story. From the early days of holeless innovation to the launch of Anson Belt For Her, we’ve grown together—through challenges, changes, and countless small moments of joy. Supporting women—whether through health, advocacy, or a simple, perfect-fitting belt—will always be at the heart of my mission. Thank you for being part of our journey.
— Kristin Ferree
