In the Club by Club Colors

What if the next big innovation in real estate marketing isn't another website or virtual tour, but a drone flying through your building? In Part 1, CEO Zach Dulla shares how a COVID side project became one of the leading drone content companies in commercial real estate. He breaks down why companies, universities, and sports teams are embracing drone tours, the power of storytelling through physi...

What does it actually take to create a campus where students feel supported, seen, and connected? In Part 2, we continue our discussion with Briana Maturi and Trinity Jones from Loyola Marymount University, diving deeper into the emotional side of student affairs, campus culture, and the behind-the-scenes work that shapes the student experience. From late-night student conversations to finals-week...

What actually makes students feel like they belong in college? In Part 1 of this conversation, we sit down with Briana Maturi, Director of Student Transitions & Success, and Trinity Jones, Assistant Director of Student Transitions & Success at Loyola Marymount University to explore the hidden side of higher education that shapes student success far beyond the classroom. From supporting veteran and...

Higher education isn’t evolving fast enough… and now it doesn’t have a choice. In Part 2 of this convo, Chris Jaeger sits down with NACAS CEO Rich Steele to unpack the mounting pressure facing colleges and universities, from declining enrollment and campus closures to rising complexity and financial strain. Rich breaks down why higher ed has historically moved at a “glacial pace” and why that mode...

What if the most important part of a college experience… isn’t in the classroom? Chris Jaeger sits down with Rich Steele, CEO of NACAS, to unpack the hidden system powering every campus in America: auxiliary services. From dining halls and housing to campus safety and student wellbeing, Rich shares how these behind-the-scenes operations directly shape student success, retention, and lifelong memor...

Healthcare apparel is broken and most brands are missing the mark. In Part 2, Ian Scherber breaks down how Jaanuu is redefining scrubs through better design, smarter technology, and a deeper commitment to healthcare professionals. From solving fit challenges online to speeding up production and customization, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what’s next in the industry. If you care about produc...

He started his first business at 13… and never stopped. In this episode, Ian Scherber shares the full journey from selling t-shirts in high school and paying his way through college, to building a 60+ employee company… and ultimately walking away from it. This is a raw look at what entrepreneurship actually demands and what it can cost. We unpack the mindset that drove his early success, the reali...

Winning is fun but culture is built long before the scoreboard lights up. In Part 2 of our conversation, John Ashaolu, Assistant Vice President for Athletics at Lewis University, breaks down what it really takes to build a championship-level athletic department. From revitalizing alumni engagement and transforming the annual golf outing at Cog Hill into a record-breaking experience, to rebranding...

What do you do when the path you planned disappears overnight? John Ashaolu went from Division I basketball to coaching, then got fired and had to rebuild from scratch. In this episode of In The Club, John shares how he pivoted into athletic administration, started at the high school level (with zero experience), and worked his way up step by step to become Assistant Vice President for Athletics a...

Adam continues his conversation with Chris & Adam, digging into the heart of what makes a truly effective brand: human connection. Adam reflects on his college journey: from architecture to fine arts and how building a deep foundation in creative fundamentals gave him the tools to solve complex problems quickly and confidently. He talks about the importance of active listening, community engagemen...

Adam Swortout, Director of Creative Strategy at Pick Your Part, is In The Club for a deep dive into how creativity and storytelling power brand transformation. From turning junkyard sales into 80s-style rock concerts to embedding hidden Easter eggs in campaigns, Adam shares how he builds memorable customer experiences with insight, humor, and heart. They discuss the impact of AI, the importance of...

College merch is evolving fast. In this episode, Chris is back with Kimberly Spino and Erika Austin to explore how modern licensing is reshaping campus branding. They dig into the rising demand for women’s apparel and size-inclusive options, the impact of TikTok and trends like “Bama Rush,” and how social media and vintage gear are inspiring new merch strategies. From candy stripes and Sparty to b...

In this Season 7 kickoff, Chris Jaeger welcomes Kimberly Spino and Erika Austin: two powerhouse licensing leaders shaping some of the most iconic brands in collegiate athletics. Together, they unpack the strategy, history, and competitive spirit that drive the Big Ten's most recognizable programs. Erika and Kimberly share how they landed in this niche field and how they’re mentoring the next gener...

How do you go from newsroom bloopers to leading national brand strategy? In Part 2 of our conversation with Stephen Johnson, we dive into the moments that shaped his mindset: From losing a news package on deadline to designing fish-themed fantasy football merch for charity. Stephen opens up about self-taught creativity, pushing the boundaries of “safe” marketing, and how he balances compliance wit...

How do you scale a brand when you’re also scaling a team, message, and mission? In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Johnson, Marketing expert, to talk about the real work behind growth and why it only works when your message is clear. Stephen shares his journey from local newsrooms to national marketing, reflecting on how his Rockford roots and journalism training built a foundation for fast,...

He’s taught future CEOs, launched student-run stores, and believes most consultants are a waste of money. In this episode, we’re back with John Talbott, senior marketing faculty at the Kelley School of Business to talk about what 17 years in the classroom has taught him about learning, leadership, and retail. John shares how Kelley trains students for real-world careers, the origin story behind Ke...

He took the lowest job offer, moved to Dallas with two friends, and launched e-commerce at Fossil before most people knew what it was. In this episode we sit down with John Talbott, senior marketing faculty at the Kelley School of Business, to explore his path from corporate retail to higher education. John shares why he turned down big finance firms, what made retail feel like home, and how a wat...

What does it take to manage one of the fastest-growing college brands in the state? In Part 2 of our conversation, Chris sits down again with Rachel, Director of Licensing and Auxiliary Services at UNC Charlotte, to unpack how she balances brand integrity with explosive campus growth. From managing vendor relationships and retail partnerships to wrapping NASCAR fire suits and transforming bookstor...

What does it mean to be the brand you represent? In this episode, Rachel Skipworth, Associate Director of Auxiliary Services, Bookstore, and Licensing at UNC Charlotte, shares how 25 years across admissions, fundraising, and campus services shaped her approach to brand leadership. From rolling out a university-wide rebrand during COVID to championing internal buy-in across departments, Rachel brea...

What happens when college athletes become national celebrities overnight? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dale Arens (University of Iowa) and Craig Westemeier (University of Texas), we dive into the branding ripple effects of NIL, celebrity athletes, and the business of licensing at scale. From Caitlin Clark’s rise to the future of fair labor, this episode covers how student-athlete fame collid...

What does it take to protect a brand that millions of people wear with pride? In this episode of In The Club, host Chris Jaeger sits down with two giants in collegiate licensing: Dale Arens (University of Iowa) and Craig Westemeier (University of Texas at Austin). With nearly 70 years of combined experience, Dale and Craig open up about what it really takes to manage two of the most iconic brands...

Amazon isn’t easy—and Joe Stefani wants you to know it. In Part 2 of our conversation, Joe breaks down the behind-the-scenes grind of building Desert Cactus into a trusted partner for collegiate brands, pro sports, and now global football clubs. From retail packaging to hands-on quality control, Joe explains how staying detail-obsessed built the brand's reputation. We talk about e-commerce evoluti...

From a college dorm room to Amazon’s top ranks—how Joe Stefani scaled Desert Cactus from a side hustle into a licensing empire. We spoke with Joe Stefani, founder and president of Desert Cactus, about how he built one of the most unique businesses in collegiate merchandise. Joe reveals how a single fraternity flag turned into a brand selling across Amazon and beyond. He covers the ups and downs of...

From flash mobs at restaurants to 85-year-olds shaking it on the floor—Commit Dance Fitness is redefining what community movement looks like. In Part 2, Quande shares how Commit empowers creativity within structure, why their seven-setlist model makes instructors feel like artists, and how fitness became a lifeline for students aged 12 to 85. She also opens up about the emotional engine behind her...

What started as a 60-minute dance fitness class is now a coast-to-coast movement and Jessica “Quande” is at the heart of it. In this episode, we sit down with co-founder of Commit Dance Fitness, to explore how a childhood nickname turned into a personal brand, and how her team built one of the most community-driven fitness formats in the U.S. She shares how Commit grew from packed dance labs to a...