FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – For decades, Luis Jovel has made headlines and gained recognition across the country thanks to his talent for bootmaking.

Since then, Jovel’s craftsmanship has earned him recognition across the country, including an invitation from former First Lady Laura Bush to help decorate the White House Christmas tree.

“I was invited to decorate the Christmas tree at the white House, by Laura Bush, another thing that happens is, to make, boots for the president of Mexico,” Jovel said.

Born in El Salvador, Jovel says his journey didn’t start with a love for his craft.

“I never wanted to be a shoemaker,” Jovel said. “We were ten brothers and sisters, and, my family said, okay, we need we need one of you guys to help to to have an income for the family.”

As a young boy, Jovel started making boots, learning from his father and other mentors as they worked, slowly but surely taking pride in his work and garnering the attention of those around him.

“I started working for, bigshot guys making shoes for ladies that have a lot of money and these beautiful, nice styles,” Jovel said. “That’s when I started liking it.”

His newfound love for bootmaking fueled his drive and took him from El Salvador to Costa Rica, just as political tensions started rising in his home country.

“I saw a bunch of kids die in the streets because when we were going back home, there was a bunch of, bullets everywhere flying around us,” Jovel said.

In 1982, Jovel left El Salvador and made his way to Los Angeles, where he says he quickly made a name for himself among the stars like Brooke Shields and even Burt Reynolds.

“Burt Reynolds walk into the store, and I was working on his boots. He went over my head and he said, ‘Nice job, nice work,’” Jovel said. “I didn’t even speak English. And I said, ‘No English.’ And he said, ‘muy bonitas.’”

After the store he was working at closed in Los Angeles, Jovel says he made his way to Fresno where he found a deep connection to the land, saying it reminded him of home in El Salvador.

“When you pass the, the mountain, the Bakersfield you see this beautiful, colorful valley that it feels like you’re alive is so incredible, it’s so beautiful,” Jovel said.

Now, the accomplished bootmaker says he hopes his story will inspire people even beyond the Central Valley.

Though he’s not done dreaming himself, hoping to one day have his work featured at the Smithsonian Institution.