Wisdom by WESA

As WESA President in 2011 and 2012, Gene House and the Board of Directors faced some challenges and changes. Guests and Links Episode 68: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Gene House - WESA President 2011 - 2012, Sales Manager for M&F Western Products Visit the WESA Website

WESA entered the 21st Century under the leadership of Jack Tait who joins us today to talk about the business and the association back then. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 67: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Jack Tait - WESA President 2001 - 2002 Visit the WESA Website

Wisdom By WESA steps back in time to chat with past president Buck Anderson, who led the association from 1991 to 1992. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 66: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Buck Anderson - WESA President 1991-1992 Visit the WESA Website

Jill Holloman Discusses Circle Y's dedication to customer service and craftsmanship in building its saddle business. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 65: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Jill Hollomon of Circle Y Visit the WESA Website

HiEnd Accents Offers Retailers Serving The Western and English Markets With High Quality Home Products For Their Customers. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 64: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Patty Price and Amy Moorehouse of HiEnd Accents | HiEnd Accents on Facebook | HiEnd Accents on YouTube Visit the WESA Website

The Leadership Team from Twisted X joins Wisdom By WESA to discuss the company's dedication to new products, new technology, and social responsibility. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 63: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guests: Panel with three of Twisted X’s leadership members: President and CEO, Prasad Reddy; Chief Marketing Officer, Tricia Mahoney; and National Sales Director, Brandon Forquer Visit the WESA Website

Rio Mercedes' Ryan Vaughn joins us to chat about the company's performance last year and its presence at the Dallas Show. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 62: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Ryan Vaughn of Rios of Mercedes | Rios of Mercedes Booklet | Rios of Mercedes Boot Company on Pinterest Link: Boots are Made for Walking Visit the WESA Website

WESA incoming President Patrick Powers discusses WESA’s past achievements and future potential. Listen in… Guests and Links Episode 61: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Patrick Powers of WESA Visit the WESA Website

They say necessity is the mother of invention. That was clearly the case 20 years ago when bareback rider Shawn Schild decided he needed a riding glove that gave him a better grip -- so he invented one which became a staple on the rodeo scene. Later Shawn connected with a high school friend, Kendall Matson and together they started Bear Knuckle Gloves producing a wide variety of gloves based on Shawn's initial design. Kendall Joins us today to tell that story. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 60: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Kendall Matson of Bear Knuckles Gloves | Local News Video | Company History Video | Instagram @BearKnucklesGloves Visit the WESA Website

Fast Back Ropes is having one of its best years ever thanks to team ropers practicing at home and working cowboys using ropes on the ranch. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 59: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Coy Upchurch, General Manager Fast Back Ropes, Inc. Visit the WESA Website

While Penelope Chilvers has enjoyed success in the U.S. the brand sees its debut at the upcoming WESA show as a coming out event to much of the retail community. Blair Lowman, who directs the brand's sale initiative in the U.S. chats with us about its past and plans for the future. Listen In... Guests and Links Episode 58: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Blair Lowman of Penelope Chilvers Footwear | Facebook | Instagram Visit the WESA Website

People might not think of New York as the home of a highly successful western fashion company but then, they probably don't know about Vintage Collection Design. Women throughout the country from big cities to small towns are wearing the firm's embroidered clothes because they like the colorful yet western feel. Stacy Collins joins us today to tell this unique story. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 57: Link to Sound File for Sight Impaired: Click Here Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Stacy Collins of Vintage Collection Visit the WESA Website

Recounting the history and viewing the future of one of the world's most unique hat companies. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 56: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Garth Watrous Visit the WESA Website

Ryan White discusses the story behind the success of his American Made, Custom Made saddle pad company. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 55: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Ryan White Visit the WESA Website

Seirra Rae Lewis shares her young professional's perspective as a social media manager and western fashion influencer. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 54: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Sierra Rae Lewis Visit the WESA Website

Sarah Montgomery talks about working at Kleinschmidt's western store in high school, her career as a commodities trader and her return to Kleinschmidt's as the owner. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 53: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Sarah Kleinschmidt Picture Credit: James Thompson Visit the WESA Website

James Thompson discusses his extensive experience selling to the western market and his particular love of public service marketing. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 52: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: James Thompson - Sales Representative for the Milano Hat Company Picture Credit: James Thompson Visit the WESA Website

First developed by two equine veterinarians in the 1990s and debuted at the 1999 Breeders Cup and the 2000 Olympics, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips are now used to help the breathing of competition horses in virtually every equine sport.​ Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 51: Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Hanna Hartmann - Marketing Director at FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips Picture Credit: FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips Visit the WESA Website

Laura Ingalls reviews her career path from fashion merchandising to jewellery design. Listen in... Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks Colletti, and Sophia Jagella Guest: Laura Ingalls of Laura Ingalls Design Picture Credit: Laura Ingalls Design Visit the WESA Website

Retailers look to Oklahoma for Authentic, High Style Western Fashions. Listen in...

Artist Deborah DuPont asked a boot maker to create a custom boot just for her. This led to the development of Agave Sky as a marketer of custom cowhide boots and a wide range of other products. Listen in...

Kimes Ranch is a western clothing line founded in 2009 by Matt and Amanda Kimes who have built the business by combining high quality western wear with a wide range of attention-getting marketing programs that includes naming products after their farm animals, holding photo contests to find new models during the Covid-19 pandemic, posting recipes on the company’s web site and having their products worn by rock groups and the cast of one of the most successful TV series currently on the air. Amanda joins us today to talk about how it all ties together. Listen in...

Alexandra King discusses the history of this unique oil cloth clothing line. Listen in...

American Hat Company's Keith Mundee talks about the past, present and future of this iconic firm. Listen in...

The success of XOXO Art & Co shows what three educators can do outside the classroom when they put their minds to it. Listen in...

From it's beginning as a manufacturer of machine produced team roping ropes, Equibrand has expanded into a full line provider of products for the horse owner.

Joel Kaye discusses his family's history in the fur business and its current plans.

WESA and the Horse Radio Network sponsor a roundtable discussion on the current unprecedented situation with industry professionals who are going through what you are. We discuss the status of manufacturing, sales and the future. Hosted by Glenn, Founder of the Horse Radio Network, and host of the popular nightly "HRN Live at Five " Coronavirus coverage for the horse world.

Debbie Earls discusses the progress of the retail store founded by her grandfather.

Texas Jewelry designer Paige Wallace talks about her 20 years in the business.

George Wilson talks about designing and building a brand new facility for his COWBOYS TOO! store in Belle Fourche and about the role of video and social media as marketing tools.

Molly Dickinson discusses how and why she invented the Booma Rein and the positive reaction she has had among riders. Listen in...

Glenn and Jennifer bring you a bunch of vendor interviews from the January WESA market. We think you will like the fascinating people and excited products we found and hopefully you will find a new product or two for your store. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 37: Link to Sound File for Sight Impaired: Click Here Co-Hosts: Mike Donnell, Kacee Willbanks, and Sophia Jagella Special Co-Hosts: Glenn the Geek from Horses in the Morning and Coach Jenn from Horse Tip Daily Photo Credit: Guest: Camarie Widmer from Performance Pony Company Guest: Russ Barnett from Outfitters Supply Guest: Kelly Baugh from FBF Originals Guest: Gemma with Happy Horse Guest: Gala from Nettles Stirrups Guest: Helen Riley from Champion Helmets Guest: Connie from Redingote Guest: Chad from Tattini Boots Guest: Jacob Coble from Sunbody Hats Visit the WESA Website

Mike Sims discusses the matching philosophy of the western lifestyle with the highly popular Affliction and American Fighter brands. Listen in...

Tim Davis, founder of Zero Egg Count discusses the origin of the company's approach to developing a mail-in, egg counting testing kit process to identify equine parasites.

Eric Von Deylen describes the unique, rubber work/riding boot his firm designed. Listen in...

Former Miss Rodeo America, Ashley Alderson, joins the podcast to talk about the unique role that her business, The Boutique Hub, plays in the western fashion and retailing industry. Listen in...

Wisdom by Wesa chats with Ali Dee, western fashion designer as well as a singer, song writer and TV host. Listen in...

Pete Melniker talks about seeing a rope halter in Cow Camp and using the idea to build a leading tack company. Listen in...

Whitney Benton talks about the role of influencers in the western fashion world and about her relationship with WESA.

What's required for western wear sales success in today's market? We ask "Woody" Harwood, who was recently named with WESA's 2020 Bill Shackelford Sales Person of The Year. Listen in...

Dan Scully, president of the widely-recognized leather goods company, Scully Leather Company, chats about its role in history making events, its products, and its marketing approach. Listen in...

Roland Mizrahi's father founded Sidran in the 1930's as a manufacturer of custom western clothing. Today, he is joined by his son, Lane, to discuss the firm's evolution into a major provider of western clothing with some of the best known brands in the business. Plus, details on the WESA move to Dallas. Listen in...

We chat with the founders of Redingote Equestrian regarding the unique new riding garments they have introduced as well as the origin of the company's name. Listen in...

Special new equine product episode from the Western English Sales Association trade show in Denver. Glenn and Jenn find a bunch of new products and new companies to highlight from cell phone cases to onesies for riding. Listen in...

United States Pony Club President, Ben Duke, talks about the many opportunities the organization provides to the equestrian youth and its plans for the future. Listen in...

One of WESA's Fashion Show favorites, Pat Dahnke, shares her story of her 50 year-old successful business. Listen in...

Mike Sirjani leveraged a background producing athletic shoes and marketing name brand consumer products to create a brand new line of protective horse boots. Listen in...

Ellie Scofield chats with us about the broader purpose she and her husband have for their successful equestrian shop and horse training facility in South Florida. Listen in...

Jesse Roberts, founder of Cheeky's, chats about how her retail brand caught on, her business boomed and about her new book Backroads Boss Lady which gives a behind the scenes look at the process.