Advertise on podcast: 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 ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistGuest: Jason Wiese - Website | Instagram

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, training the people behind the experience, and turning customers into repeat visitors. WESA Retail Roundup October 29, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the MorningFacebook: Retail Roundup Facebook groupGuest: Shantelle Girard, Founder & CEO, Rancher Hat Bar Presented By: Western English Sales Association

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, executive experiences, webinars and multi-city programs, with a focus on creating experiences that drive meaningful business outcomes. Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistGuest: Timothy Calder, Director of Event Marketing at Achievers

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 MorningFacebook: Retail Roundup Facebook groupGuest: Anne Hawkins of LassoPresented By: Western English Sales Association

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 ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistGuest: - Adam Trenk, CEO, Genuine Billy Cook Saddles | Instagram

Aiken Saddlery owner Amy Hebert joins Glenn on the WESA 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 pickup—is the next logical step amid Aiken’s booming horse community. She also discusses the challenges of shipping, competition with big online retailers, and integrating loyalty programs as they bring a very local, service-driven business into the digital age. WESA Retail Roundup August 13, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the MorningFacebook: Retail Roundup Facebook groupGuest: Amy Hebert of Aiken Saddlery in beautiful Aiken, SC.Presented By: Western English Sales Association

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. Links:Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistGuest: - Website | Facebook | Instagram

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 ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistGuest: Larry Bitterman, Frontier by Lawrence Scott - Website | Facebook | Instagram

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 management and future industry trends. WESA Retail Roundup August 13, 2026: Host: Glenn the Geek, Host of Horses in the MorningFacebook: Retail Roundup Facebook groupGuest: Sarah Wieand of Shires EquestrianPresented By: Western English Sales Association Time Stamps: 00:54 - Meet sales rep Sarah Weint02:29 - What Shires Equestrian sells03:18 - Tech changes & rep role04:33 - Social media, live sales, influencers07:35 - Influence vs traditional ads08:22 - Core role of a good rep09:16 - Store visits vs Zoom calls10:43 - How retailers can use reps better12:57 - Inventory help & top sellers14:24 - Communication challenges16:37 - Common retailer mistakes21:37 - First-time WESA attendee tips23:46 - English/Western crossover & new products

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 ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistGuest: Clifford Hand is the co-owner of Recherché Furnishings | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

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 Geek, Host of Horses in the MorningFacebook: Retail Roundup Facebook groupGuest: Christyne Gray of She Profits NowPresented By: Western English Sales Association Time Stamps: 01:47 - Christine’s mission: normalizing retail finances02:59 - Key metrics overview (16 metrics, focus on a few)03:30 - Gross margin vs revenue obsession04:23 - Inventory turn & sell-through basics06:58 - Ideal inventory turns (5–6x) and planning08:41 - Tack shop realities & slow movers (20% rule)10:39 - Inventory optimization strategy & 80/20 policy13:35 - Monthly reports: POS vs accounting system18:32 - Proper bookkeeping for true gross margin20:24 - DIY bookkeeping vs hiring specialists26:29 - Planning buys for WESA & testing new categories31:05 - Weather, economy, and seasonal risk (blankets)35:26 - How She Profits Now works (subscription model)39:41 - Data as the real business & closing contact info

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 ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistTom Hall, Founder of EXCELIS Performance Systems and Equine Performance Systems and Sarfraz Mian, CEO of Neue Schule Ltd. - Website | Instagram | Facebook

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 MorningFacebook: Retail Roundup Facebook grouGuest: Wendy Winn of Winn HorsesPresented By: Western English Sales Association Time Stamps: 02:01 - Wendy’s mobile journey03:27 - Making money on the road04:52 - Choosing the right products06:58 - Profitable add-ons09:37 - Community & authenticity12:05 - Decline of local tack shops13:57 - Invest in horsemanship education16:05 - Year-round planning strategy19:55 - Hiring the right mobile staff22:28 - How to start going mobile24:58 - Mindset & never giving up25:56 - WinHorses platforms & programs26:04 - Helping retailers & teams

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 ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistGuest: Jade Opfer, CEO Montana Silversmiths - Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Youtube

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 MorningFacebook: Retail Roundup Facebook grouGuest: Jen Hegeman from Jen X DesignsPresented By: Western English Sales Association Time Stamps: 00:55 - Jen and Gamble the raccoon03:16 - White label explained05:13 - Private label overview07:50 - Why volume and materials matter08:08 - Case for in-house manufacturing10:36 - Protecting innovation and IP10:45 - Equine-safe materials vs human foams13:22 - What products brands want to make14:24 - Hidden costs and sampling realities18:29 - COVID-era U.S. manufacturing story21:19 - State of American cut-and-sew23:06 - IP theft and enforcement limits28:44 - How retailers find white-label options31:37 - Inventory, color strategy, and close