Who We Are
Hello Friend,
So, you’ve met “River” our store mascot, family member and high-energy hunting dog on our home page and above. He’s one of the best we’ve ever had! But I would love for you to meet the rest of the Lavengco family, because the Texas Gadget Company is truly a family business!
It’s been my lifetime dream to have our own business, and specifically one as special as this one. We’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and hunting and fishing have always been a huge part of our lives. We especially love the people and community the outdoor world has to offer.
Throughout my life, most of my true friendships have come through spending quality time with them in God’s creation, the great outdoors.
Now, I’ve always been called the “gadget and gear guy” because no matter the situation I would always have a tool for the job. My buddies would say, “wish we had this or that” and I would say, “matter of fact, I happen to have that right here” or “an extra one of those in case you need it” which would usually be followed by a chuckle of disbelief. So, bringing the Texas Gadget Company to reality in Dripping Springs, TX just made sense.
Having spent most of my 40-year career in corporate America in the waste industry, I longed to spend more time in the outdoors. Along the way, I had the opportunity to be invited and to invite clients for some great times in the outdoors — which only spurred the desire even more. This particular store idea and inspiration was born when my sons and I went on a duck hunting trip to Oklahoma. My sons, Michael II, John Matt and I were blessed to be invited on a trip to Stuart Ranch Outfitters in Waurika, OK and had the opportunity to meet and fellowship with some of the greatest guys. (That’s usually the case when you’re with lifelong friends — you meet new friends). There we met JP Hewitt, owner of the original “The Gadget Company” in Tulsa, OK.
While hunting, visiting, and working our dogs, we got to talking about each other’s jobs, careers and dreams. Mine was to ultimately retire from the corporate grind and pursue that lifelong vision for being a part of the outdoor community. We stayed in touch and I visited “The Gadget Company” store in Tulsa on several occasions while traveling for work — which only pique my interest each time about the prospect of having our own store in Dripping Springs, TX. I immediately began the search for the perfect location and venue. About two years later, as my career was winding down and thoughts of retirement were creeping in, I had the opportunity to do just that in 2022. At that point, JP and I continued our strategic partnership discussions — and I, in earnest, began pursuing the perfect property — even though it was not for sale. Persistence paid off and after about a four-year negotiation, we finally closed on the property at the end of 2023. In the meantime, John Matt graduated from Texas A&M in the spring of 2023 and, as fate would have it, JP at the Tulsa store was going through a management transition and needed assistance running his store. Timing was perfect and JP and I agreed it would be another step towards our dream if John Matt could gain experience in retail and all aspects of the Tulsa store in preparation of opening ours in Dripping Springs. Not only did he gain experience in the operation and its brands, John Matt’s co-workers introduced him to flyfishing and overnight, that was all he could talk about. So, naturally, we now include flyfishing in our outdoor passions.
This business is a natural fit for our family. My wife Cheryl and all our kids, McKenzie, Michael II, and John Matt (from the age they could walk) were as comfortable in a boat, duck blind, deer blind, fishing and hunting, as they were playing sports. So, from the early childhood years in Louisiana to our new home in Texas — we found ourselves immersed in kids’ sports, horses, roping, raising longhorn cattle, and whatever we could do outdoors. When our kids weren’t playing sports, our weekends and vacations were spent at amazing hunting and fishing spots wherever we could go.
We hope you enjoy the Texas Gadget Company as much as we do — spending time on our website gearing up for your next adventure. But when you come through Dripping Springs, TX, do plan a visit to the store where you’re always welcome! We are eager to share our passion for the outdoors, along with the highest quality products available today — and some pretty cool gadgets and gear too!
Sincerely,
Michael E. Lavengco – Owner
Texas Gadget Company