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 bookstores into social hubs, Rachel shares the behind-the-scenes decisions that shape a university’s brand every day.

If you’re building a college brand, managing a campus store, or curious about higher ed retail strategy, this one’s packed with actionable insight and heartfelt reflection.

Connect with Rachel Skipworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-skipworth-b3223471/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3

If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

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 breaks down what it takes to build belief from the inside out.

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 collides with institutional licensing and what it means to protect a brand while supporting individual opportunity.

Dale and Craig reflect on their leadership roles, origin stories, and the coaching trees they’ve helped grow through mentorship.

They also unpack the challenges of email culture, the power of a phone call, and why honest conversation still beats clever copy.

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 in college sports.

From the rallying power of “Go Hawks!” to the global reach of the Longhorn logo, they explore the emotional weight behind a logo and the day-to-day work of protecting it.

They dive into the evolution of brand licensing, the impact of NIL, the value of tenure, and why trust equity is a game-changer on campus. Whether you're in higher ed, athletics, or brand strategy, this is a masterclass in building legacy.

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 evolution, relationship-driven growth, licensing pain points, and his full-circle moment returning to Monmouth College to speak with students. Joe also shares his proudest moments—from packing boxes himself to having Arsenal and Chelsea come knocking.

Whether you're in retail, branding, or just love a smart growth story—this one's for you.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-stefani-191a484/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3

If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

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 licensing, the power of gut decisions, and why design simplicity drives product success.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-stefani-191a484/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3

If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

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 leadership, the mentors and moments that kept her going, and why saying "yes" to a Groupon class changed her life.

Connect with Quande on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quandequande/?hl=en

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3

If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

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 national instructor network, the creative branding choices behind their standout teal aesthetic, and how merchandise, mentorship, and masterclasses keep the community engaged and thriving.

Connect with Quande on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quandequande/?hl=en

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3

If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

What do stand-up comedy, solo cruises, and legal marketing have in common? For Linda Orton, they’re all part of a 35+ year journey of reinvention, leadership, and deep curiosity.

In Part 2, Linda shares how public speaking became a professional superpower—and how it helped her navigate major life transitions with humor and heart.

From TEDx-style talks on AI-powered networking to performing comedy, Linda explains why curiosity, storytelling, and adaptability are the keys to connection.

She also opens up about writing on LinkedIn since its early days, the value of commenting as a form of engagement, and how personal stories can spark professional impact.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3

If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

Connect with Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindasedlofforton/

A big thank you from Linda to recent partners:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/theplayniceagency/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebelpinecreative/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/vested-llc/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/passle/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/upslide/

What does it take to build a career at the intersection of law, consulting, and marketing—before any of those industries embraced branding? Linda Orton knows firsthand.

From being on the ground floor of legal marketing to launching a full rebrand at private equity speed, Linda shares how to create strategic clarity, build internal buy-in, and lead through change.

Linda breaks down why B2B marketing is still misunderstood, how storytelling powers brand adoption, and what it takes to align teams under one message—fast.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3

Connect with Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindasedlofforton/

If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

A big thank you from Linda to recent partners:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/theplayniceagency/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebelpinecreative/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/vested-llc/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/passle/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/upslide/