Best makes a name for herself
From Kicking up dirt, starting a photography business, juggling schoolwork, becoming a mom and opening up a boutique, Mackenzie Best has proved she can do it all.
Best spent her childhood in Falfurrias, Texas, and in her grandmother’s store.
Following in her grandmother’s footsteps Best decided to open her own boutique called La Vaca Flaca.
La Vaca Flaca is located on 218 E. Kleberg Ave. in the heart of downtown Kingsville, Texas, making it the perfect location for a store with The King Ranch Saddle Shop and Harrell’s Pharmacy bringing in plenty of foot traffic.
Best’s boutique has something for every customer, she has a wide range of selections such as baby, men’s and women’s clothing.
“[The store provided an] awesome experience and atmosphere. Customer service is top notch,” Customer Brandon Shanks said.
La Vaca Flaca was inspired from a calendar Best grew up around.
“There used to be this calendar that went around, and it had this old farmer and a skinny cow. It was a comic character that I saw often as a child. When I started my business, my husband suggested recreating the skinny cow, which was great because it was unique,” Best said.
Best receives most of her support from her husband, Clyte Best.
“I’m very proud of Mackenzie and for her to have the tenacity to go out and achieve her dreams of having her own store. I can’t wait to see how she and the store grow together,” Clyte Best said.
While La Vaca Flaca is Best’s most recent accomplishment, she remains a woman of many talents.
Best created her photography business two years ago and has built her clientele from the ground up.
“I was initially referred to Mackenzie from American Honey. She made the experience so easy, she was patient and welcoming with my mom and dog. I really trusted her expertise which is something I look for in a photographer,” Taylor Goodspeed said.
To see her work check out vacaflacaphotography on Instagram.
While running two businesses, Best competes in barrel racing with her 10-year-old horse, Smash.
“Smash was one of the first crops of colts from my grandparent’s stallion. His full name is actually O.M.G. I’m really smashed,” Best said.
Best’s workload doesn’t end here, she is a big contributor to Ag Mag, an agricultural publication for the Rio Grande Valley as well.
“Kingsville and up is usually my territory from taking photos, writing, talking to farmers and distributing magazines, to paginating,” Best said.
Best strives to take on more responsibility for Ag Mag and bringing it back to the Coastal Bend area.
While balancing her busy schedule Best also attends Texas A&M University Kingsville and is a senior studying Communication with a concentration in Journalism.
At the end of the day the most important part of Best’s life is her daughter Tiffee Walker Best. Best mentioned that all of her hard work is for her daughter.
When asked to give a piece of advice for her daughter Best responded with: “Work hard and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, just because you’re a girl or for any reason. Because you can especially if you set the time.”
