Wisdom by WESA

Darrell Nephew recounts the history of Tucker Saddles and shares plans for a new line and an award honoring founder Steve Tucker. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 118:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Darrell Nephew, Executive Vice President, Circle YLink: Tucker SaddleryVisit the WESA Website

Senior Buyer Jessica Shaw discusses Back In The Saddle's successful business model. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 117:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Jessica ShawVisit the WESA Website

Glenn brings you another round of interviews from the WESA market in August. Highlighting new companies and products that you might have missed. Listen in....Wisdom by WESA Special Episode August 2023: 00:32 - Hailey Nelson - Western and Co. 03:20 - Jamie Weidner from JT International 07:00 - Tim with Prince of Scots 11:12 - Carolina Crowley of the Carolina Crowley Collection 14:40 - Kacy Burke from Buckaroo Beau Books 18:25 - Ted from Cowboy Sh!t 23:48 - Jeff from Prime Performance Nutrition

The fascinating story of Rockmount Ranch Wear from 1946 to today. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 115:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Steve WeilVisit the WESA Website

After closing shop in the 1970's, Hyer Boot Company is now reviving the legend of The Cowboy Boot.Guests and Links Episode 114:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Zach Lawless, the Great Great Grandson of CH HyerVisit the WESA Website

An introduction to Flynt Western men’s western wear. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 113:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Gary Adelman and Julie ByingtonVisit the WESA Website

The story behind the conception and growth of DIBA True and its parent company DIBA Shoes. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 112:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Suzanne LorenzVisit the WESA Website

Partrade’s Christine Fordham talks about the company's success and her new role as a WESA Board Member. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 111:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Christina FordhamVisit the WESA Website

Meet the multi-talented cowboy, stuntman, horse trainer, actor and western artist appearing at WESA in August. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 110:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Jay T. RockwellVisit the WESA Website

Noted equine sculptor and jewelry designer Blair Dworkin chats about how her artistic sense and love of horses that helped guide her career path. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 109:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Blair DworkinVisit the WESA Website

WESA’s new President chats about his career and his vision for WESA. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 108:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Scott TuckerLink: Join us at WESA's new home: the Dallas Market CenterLink: Anderson Bean Mens Cowboy BootsLink: Anderson BeanVisit the WESA Website

Teresa Johnson talks about her segue from a 33-year nursing career to a thriving western jewelry case business. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 107:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Teresa Johnson of Vintage Cowgirl CasesVisit the WESA Website

Mountain biker and barrel racer Monique Vek talks about successfully adopting athletic wear features to western wear. Listen in...Guests and Links Episode 106:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Monique Vek of M Sport 6 Apparel Visit the WESA Website

Lorinda Van Newkirk talks about building western fashion brands and businesses. Listen In...Guests and Links Episode 105:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Lorinda Van NewkirkLink: Lucky ChuckVisit the WESA Website

Durango Boot Marketing Manager Erin DeLong visits the show to chat about the brand’s multi-faceted marketing strategy. Listen In...Guests and Links Episode 104:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest: Erin DeLong Durango Boots Marketing ManagerVisit the WESA Website

January Show Special: Glenn the Geek brings you a variety of interviews from new smaller companies he found at WESA in Dallas. Listen in....Guests and Links Episode January Special:Hosts:  Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia JagellaGuest Host: Glenn the Geek of Horses in the MorningCompany Highlight: Big Country ToysCompany Highlight: American DarlingCompany Highlight: Dimples Horse TreatsCompany Highlight: Fly Free Horse BootsCompany Highlight: Western GrandeVisit the WESA Website

WESA 2023 Salesperson of The Year, Scott Stickley, chats about his sales career. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 102: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Scott Stickley Visit the WESA Website

Blue Steel, Australia’s top-selling steel-toed work shoes making gains in the U.S. market. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 101: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Michael Prescott, Steel Blue Territory Manager for Texas and Louisiana Visit the WESA Website

Melanie Edge walks us through the interesting history and consistent growth of Western Edge. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 100: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Melanie Edge of Western Edge Guest: Judy Wagner of Montana Silversmiths Visit the WESA Website

From Jack's Tack to JT International ... founder Jack Sievers tells the company’s story. Listen in.... Guests and Links Episode 99: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Jack Sievers and Mike Sanders of JT International Visit the WESA Website

Mackey USA founder, Meegan Robinette, tells the story of the popular equine accessory company. Listen in.... Guests and Links Episode 98: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Meegan Robinette Visit the WESA Website

Reza Ghazinouri, Founder/President, and Lisa Wicks, Sales, of M&R Moda in Pelle Firenze join Wisdom By WESA to chat about the company’s quarter century of designing and producing had made, fine leather jackets and bags from Italy. And, a new line is being introduced. Listen in.... Guests and Links Episode 97: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Reza (Ray) Ghazinouri and Lisa Wicks of M&R Moda in Pelle Firenze Visit the WESA Website

A Look Back at Bailey’s History and a Look Forward At Its Future Plans. Listen in.... Guests and Links Episode 96: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Sean Leon of Bailey Hats Visit the WESA Website

This special episode with interviews from the 2022 August WESA trade Show highlights some of the new products hitting the stores. Glenn the Geek and Coach Jenn of the Horse Radio Network bring you this special. Listen in.... Guests and Links Episode Special: Link to Sound File for Sight Impaired: Click Here Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella 01:00 - Chuupul Leather Travel Accessories, Natasha 06:15 - Hoss Boot Company, Don Colbert 09:05 - Weatherbeeta - Rachel Cook 11:50 - Smarty Roping, Travis 15:40 - Galligers Water, Melissa 19:10 - San Saba Equine, Rusty 20:32 - Draw it out - La Nae Visit the WESA Website

Fairfax and Favor's First U.S. Marketing Representative Talks about the brand's future plans in the U.S. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 94: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Hanna Miller of Fairfax and Favour Visit the WESA Website

Kate Day, co-founder of Dovetail Workwear joins us to talk about the origin of this highly popular workwear line for working women. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 93: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Kate Day co-founder of Dovetail Workwear Visit the WESA Website

Heath Calhoun Shares Cowboy Cool's Transition From a Brick and Mortar Store to an Online And Wholesale Success Story. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 92: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Heath Calhoun of Cowboy Cool Visit the WESA Website

Jessica Manson Joins us to chat about Weatherbeeta's growth in the U.S. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 91: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Image Credit: WeatherBeeta.UK Guest: Jessica Manson, Senior Account Director of Weatherbeeta Visit the WESA Website

Dave Duquett, president and founder of Western Justice, describes the organization's purpose and its work to protect the interests of the western horse industry. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 90: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Dave Duquett of Western Justice | Instagram | Facebook Visit the WESA Website

Lyn Baskett discusses the North American market opportunity for German leather jackets. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 89: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Lyn Baskett of Mauritius Leather | Instagram | Facebook Link: The Daily Front Row Visit the WESA Website

Taylor McCann and her mother Carolin Lyon chat about how their retail clothing business got started and how social media drives sales. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 88: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Taylor McCann and Carolin Lyon of 9 Grey Horses | Instagram | Facebook Visit the WESA Website

LAMO VP Sales, John Pierce talks about the evolution of the LAMO brand. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 87: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: LAMO VP of Sales John Pierce Visit the WESA Website

Ashley Heflin talks about the booming popularity of her firm's unique stall mats. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 86: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Ashley Heflin of AH Performance Stall Mats|Facebook Link: Go Fast Races Visit the WESA Website

Jason Miller, director of marketing for C-A-L Ranch Stores talks about its growth from one store in Idaho to 30 throughout four states. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 85: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Jason Miller of C-A-L Ranch Stores Visit the WESA Website

French Canadian Western jewelry designer Pascale Sylvain talks about how her love of the American west and of jewelry prompted her to move from Canada to Texas to set up shop and the success the company has had. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 84: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Pascale Sylvain of Bijoux Fab Visit the WESA Website

Jeremiah Craig, Cowboy boot content creator discusses how he works with boot brands and retailers to incorporate modern social media techniques into their marketing programs. Guests and Links Episode 83: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Jeremiah Craig | YouTube Visit the WESA Website

We discuss the unique family history and bold marketing strategies that have led to Southern Grace's success. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 82: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Adeel Mitha Guest: Sam Seibenthall Link: Southern Grace Visit the WESA Website

Rebecca Lopez brought her The Wranglin' Mama jewelry line to the WESA Trade Show for the first time this year and captured lots of attention. We chat with her about her business. ​Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 81: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Rebecca Lopez of The Wranglin' Mama | Facebook | Instagram | Pintrest Visit the WESA Website

Judy Wagner, Montana Silversmiths’ Vice President of Marketing joins the show to talk about exciting news from the company. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 80: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Judy Wagner of Montana Silversmiths| Facebook Visit the WESA Website

David Baker was named the 2022 Bill Shackelford Salesperson of the Year and is in his 50th year as a western wear salesman.​ Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 79: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: David Baker of American Hat Company Visit the WESA Website

A look at Yesterday’s history and Tomorrow’s future for a company with some of the best known brand of footwear in the world. Listen In… Guests and Links Episode 78: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Miles Underwood of Wolverine Link: Project Bootstrap Visit the WESA Website

Lindsey Dillenbeck, Frank M Light’s great great granddaughter who owns F.M. Light & Sons with her husband joins the show to talk about the storied past and bright future for this legendary western retailer and the slight change she wants to make to the name... Guests and Links Episode 77: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Lindsay Dillenbeck Link: 115 years and counting: F.M. Light & Sons is a family tradition Link: YouTube Visit the WESA Website

Founded in 1922 by M.L. Leddy to produce custom made boots and saddles, this retailer approaches it's 100th anniversary... Guests and Links Episode 76: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Mark Dunlap, M.L. Leddy's General Manager Guest: Jim Franklin, M.L. Leddy's Vice President Link: M.L. Leddy’s Celebrates 100 Years of Custom-Made Cowboy Boots Link: The Boot Ranch Rite of Passage Link: 2020 Houston Rodeo - American Icons - The American Buffalo & Leddy's Boots, a handmade Texas Legend since 1922 Link: A True Texas Legend Link: Carving a Legacy: M.L. Leddy's in the Fort Worth Stockyards Link: The Charger Bulletin Visit the WESA Website

Patrick Jackson discusses the history of and the future Haegels West, one of the oldest western wear and tack stores in the nation. ​ Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 75: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Patrick Jackson of Haegles West | Fifth generation takes over Haegle’s Visit the WESA Website

Michael Baca talks about the boot business from his perspective of managing three brands. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 74: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest:Michael Baca of Justin Brands | Justin Boots on YouTube Visit the WESA Website

Toby Lewis looks back on his WESA experience which began at the Albany Hotel and included 25 years on the Association's Board and talks about his new interests... bicycle racing and sky diving. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 73: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Toby Lewis (WESA President 1997-1998) Visit the WESA Website

Bob Davidson Tells Stories of the industry back when The Men's Apparel Club of Colorado produced the big Trade Show, now called WESA Guests and Links Episode 72: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Bob Davidson Visit the WESA Website

The first WESA Trade Show took place in 1922 in Denver, CO and next January in Dallas, TX we’ll celebrate the 100th anniversary of the WESA Trade Show. Tune in to a special Wisdom by WESA episode featuring featuring past guests and their experiences and memories as part of the Association. Guests and Links Episode 71: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Gerald Adame (WESA President, 2017-2018) and Jay Phillips (WESA President, 2019-20202) Sara Jo Otto, Founder of Coyote Cowgirl Brad Vance, VP Sales at Equibrand Mike Sirjani, Co-Founder of Majyk Equipe Dan Scully, VP Sales/ Marketing of Scully Leather Company Lane Mizrahi, Vice President of Merchandising and Management of Sidran Inc. Randy Little, Co-Founder of PFI Western Wear Renee Gabet, Owner/ Founder of Annie Oakley Ryan White, Managing Director Best Ever Pads Deborah DuPont, Founder of Agave Sky Jill Hollomon, Account Manager of Circle Y Abbie Ellis, Founder of Benita Ceceille Keith Mundee, President of American Hat Co Amanda Kimes, Co-Owner/Founder of Kimes Ranch Apparel Stacy Collins, VP of Sales of Vintage Collection Jenna Garza, Sales Representative of Outdoor Crew Coy Upchurch, General Manager Fast Back Ropes, Inc. Blair Lowman of Penelope Chilvers Footwear Pat Dahnke, Founder of Designs by Pat Sonya Bengali and Katie McGraw from Riding Warehouse George Wilson, Owner of COWBOYS TOO! Kim Mills Borcher, Owner of Colorado Kim Boutique Patty Price and Amy Moorehouse of HiEnd Accents Monty Crist, General Manager of Professional’s Choice President and CEO, Prasad Reddy; Chief Marketing Officer, Tricia Mahoney; and National Sales Director, Brandon Forquer of Twisted X’ Patrick Powers, WESA President 2021-2022 Ryan Vaughn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Rios of Mercedes Visit the WESA Website

Scott Piper chats about his NFL career and his transition into the western industry when his playing days were over. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 70: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Scott Piper- WESA President 2016 | Twisted X® Cowboy Boots & How they Fit - YouTube Visit the WESA Website

Mark Broughton recounts his journey from a teenage surfer with a love of horses to his presidency of WESA Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 69: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Mark Broughton- WESA President 2013 - 2014 Visit the WESA Website