Wisdom by WESA

From BED|STÜ to Freebird, Jason Wiese has spent 32 years shaping relationships and navigating the footwear industry. Now, he shares his perspective on brand identity, the evolving Western consumer, and what it takes to build successful retail partnerships. Join us for an inside look at the brands, business, and people moving the Western industry forward. Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zippe...

Need practical ideas for making your own stores more engaging, personal, and memorable? Shantelle Girard, Founder & CEO of Rancher Hat Bar, joins us to share how she transformed a custom hat concept that started in a vintage camper into a rapidly expanding experiential retail brand. We’ll talk about the power of customization, creating memorable in-store experiences, experiential marketing, tr...

A great-looking booth is nice but what actually gets people to stop, engage and ultimately become customers? Timothy Calder, Director of Event Marketing at Achievers, joins us to break down what it really takes to turn a trade show investment into measurable results. With more than a decade of experience in event marketing, Timothy has built event programs spanning trade shows, conferences, execut...

Influencer marketing can be a powerful tool for retailers but finding the right creator, setting expectations, negotiating deliverables, and measuring results can be challenging. Anne Hawkins of Lasso joins us to break down how retailers can build influencer partnerships that actually work. WESA Retail Roundup October 15, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the Morning Facebook: Retail R...

What does it really take to rebuild a heritage brand and keep it relevant for the next generation of horsemen and women? Adam Trenk, CEO of Genuine Billy Cook Saddles, joins us to share the behind-the-scenes story of rebuilding one of the Western industry's best-known saddle brands. Links: Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperlen Contact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing Specialist Guest: - A...

Aiken Saddlery owner Amy Hebert joins Glenn on the Wessa Retail Roundup to share how a long-established Aiken, South Carolina feed and tack business is stepping into the world of e-commerce. Amy talks about the history and growth of Aiken Saddlery, how 70% of their business is feed, hay, and shavings, and why launching an online store—focused first on smaller, easier-to-ship items and in-store pic...

What happens when Australian country style meets the American Western market? Vanessa Challacombe of Little Spurs & Co. joins us to talk kids’ Western wear, going global, and what international brands can bring to U.S. retailers. What does a classic Western man actually look like? Larry Bitterman of Frontier by Lawrence Scott has spent decades answering that question. From his years on the Eas...

What does a classic Western man actually look like? Larry Bitterman of Frontier by Lawrence Scott has spent decades answering that question. From his years on the East Coast to building a Western clothing business in Los Angeles, Larry has seen the industry change firsthand. Links: Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperlen Contact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing Specialist Guest: Larry Bitte...

This episode features Sarah Wieand, a sales representative at Shires Equestrian with over a decade of industry experience, to discuss "Dealing with Sales Reps Effectively." The conversation explores the evolving role of sales reps in today’s rapidly changing technological landscape, focusing on how retailers can better utilize their reps for success beyond simple order-taking, including inventory...

We're joined by Clifford Hand, co-owner of Recherché Furnishings, to talk about turning everyday materials into products customers connect with, unique selling proposition and the unique brand name. Tune in now! Links: Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperlen Contact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing Specialist Guest: Clifford Hand is the co-owner of Recherché Furnishings | Facebook | Instagr...

Stop guessing your way through growth and start scaling with confidence! Join retail financial expert Christyne Gray, Founder of She Profits Now, for an eye-opening session designed specifically for independent retailers. Christyne reveals the high-impact financial strategies that transform struggling shops into profitable, sustainable operations. WESA Retail Roundup July 30, 2026: Host: Glenn the...

English and Western may ride differently, but great horsemanship speaks the same language. Tom Hall, Founder of EXCELIS Performance Systems and Equine Performance Systems and Sarfraz Mian, CEO of Neue Schule join us to talk about bit innovation, what both disciplines can learn from each other, and why understanding the horse always comes first. Links: Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperle...

What happens when you take your store directly to the customer? Wendy Winn shares how mobile retail, educational clinics, and personalized saddle fitting have helped build customer trust, drive sales, and create lasting relationships with riders across the country. Listen in.... WESA Retail Roundup July 16, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the Morning Facebook: Retail Roundup Facebook...

Every Montana Silversmiths buckle tells a story and every buckle passes through 26 sets of hands before it reaches its new owner. Montana Silversmiths’ CEO, Jade Opfer, joins us to talk about preserving craftsmanship in an AI-driven world, the people behind the products, and why a brand rooted in the American West continues to resonate far beyond it. Links: Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zi...

Manufacturing consultant Jen Hegeman explores the essentials of white-label and private-label product development, providing actionable advice for brands navigating the complexities of launching their own product lines. WESA Retail Roundup June 25, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the Morning Facebook: Retail Roundup Facebook grou Guest: Jen Hegeman from Jen X Designs Presented By: We...

For more than 40 years, Schaefer Outfitter has represented the grit, values, and traditions of the American West. What started with a need for better gear for working ranchers evolved into a beloved western brand with an incredibly loyal following. In this episode of Wisdom by WESA, Jason Smith shares the story behind Schaefer's enduring success, the lessons learned from generations of western cus...

Glenn sits down with Rose from Equus Now and Mary from Kerrits to unpack what the Dover Saddlery closures really mean for the equestrian retail industry. They explore how independent tack shops and small to mid-size manufacturers can turn Dover’s liquidation into opportunity through smarter inventory management, omni-channel selling, and stronger vendor–retailer partnerships. The conversation cove...

From attending WESA as a buyer to building a multi-experience western destination, Hamley’s Western Store proves that retail can be immersive, profitable, and community-driven. In this episode, we talk with Katrina Eichner about what happens after WESA and how retailers can turn inventory, events, and experiences into long-term growth. Links: Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperlen Contact...

What actually makes shoppers stop scrolling, watch, and walk into a store? On this episode of Retail Roundup, we sit down with WESA videographer Chris Johnston of Truthful Studio to talk about the evolving world of video content for retailers. WESA Retail Roundup May 28, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the Morning Facebook: Retail Roundup Facebook grou Guest: Chris Johnston of Truthf...

As Twisted X prepares to unveil major company news, we sit down to talk innovation, retailer relationships, and why the brand continues to double down on wholesale instead of going direct-to-consumer. From comfort technology to building retailer trust, this episode dives into what’s next for one of the western industry’s most disruptive brands. Links: Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperle...

AI can not be ignored in any aspect of business. Jamie Samples of Yellow Barn Media shares how retailers should be using AI in their operations. WESA Retail Roundup May 14, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the Morning Facebook: Retail Roundup Facebook group Guest: Jamie Samples of Yellow Barn Media Link: Jamie's beginner AI course Presented By: Western English Sales Association Time S...

How do you turn global artisan relationships into a standout retail experience? Amanda Alexander shares how Peyote Bird blends storytelling, sourcing, and smart curation to create collections that truly sell. Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperlen Contact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing Specialist Guest: Amanda Alexander, Peyote Bird | Instagram | Facebook

From a single family store to a multi-location retail powerhouse, Nathan shares how Wei’s Western Wear blends tradition with modern marketing. We dive into trade shows, social media strategy, and bold ideas shaping the future of western retail. Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperlen Contact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing Specialist Guest: Nathan Mah - Website

This session explores how mental health shows up in-store and shares practical, approachable ways retailers can better support their teams and customers while staying true to the values of the western community. Listen in... WESA Retail Roundup April 16, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the Morning Facebook: Retail Roundup Facebook group Guest: Taylor Douglas, CEO of Happy Horses | Fa...

From a South Dakota ranch to building Fringe Scarves into a must-have Western accessory brand, Jodi Hendrickson shares how grit, creativity, and storytelling shaped her journey. This episode dives into brand building, industry insight, and thinking beyond the traditional Western retail playbook. Episode Links Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperlen Contact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing S...