Wisdom by WESA

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:...

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

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 ;...

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...

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...

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 Link...

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 Equ...