On today’s episode, I’m joined by Mary Heffernan of Five Marys Farms. In our conversation, Mary shares their approach of solution-based entrepreneurship, her perspective on including kids on the ranch and in business, and leaning into the hard to persevere past roadblocks. 

Mary and her husband, Brian, of Five Marys Farms spent years in the business world in Silicon Valley before becoming cattle ranchers almost 10 years ago, alongside their four daughters (all named Mary!) in the mountains of Northern California. Mary has started over 20 small businesses in different industries and shares her knowledge about building a business from scratch with other entrepreneurs through her business courses. Mary has authored two cookbooks and is focused on building businesses around the heart of the ranch, including Five Marys Burgerhouse, M5 Ranch School, M5 Entrepreneurs Academy, Five Marys Custom Meat Co., and more!

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On today’s episode, I’m joined by the president of Certified Angus Beef, Dr. John Stika. John is sharing his strategies for effective communication, tips on receiving feedback and constructive criticism, and the evolution of leadership in the last 20 years. Most importantly, John shares insight on his servant-hearted leadership style and the importance of a people-first culture. 

As president of the Certified Angus Beef® brand, John Stika leads a team dedicated to earning the trust of consumers around the world by consistently delivering the best beef experience possible. Through a vision focused on connecting people from pasture to plate, John and a passionate team work to grow demand for the branded beef and increase the value of registered Angus cattle, enhancing the lives and businesses of farming and ranching families and all who touch the brand along the way to the consumer.

Resources & Links:

Connect with Dr. John Stika:

• Check out the Certified Angus Beef website

Connect with Jessie:

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On today’s episode, I’m sharing how to set your goals successfully. You’ll learn the two different types of goals and a way to keep your goals visual and top-of-mind. I’m talking all about the power of goal setting, how to attack your goals so that you can achieve your big dreams, and the value of setting goals that matter to you and align with your purpose.

Jessie was born and raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, which at an early age, instilled in her the importance of a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for the American West.

In addition to her lifelong involvement raising cattle, Jessie has had over a decade’s worth of experience in print and digital media, both writing for and producing various agriculture and western fashion publications, as well as freelancing in ag and western communications.

As someone who has been on all sides of the spectrum—as a job seeker, a business owner, someone looking for various service providers, and as a freelancer—Jessie deeply understands the obstacles one must navigate when job hunting or looking to hire for employment or project purposes in the west.

Jessie’s proudest accomplishment(s) in life is that of her family—her husband Justin, her son, Jhett, and baby girl, Jaxyn.

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On today’s episode, I’m joined by Natalie Kovarik as we chat all about the value of investing in yourself, the power of personal development and the passion and courage it takes to succeed in life and business.

Natalie Kovarik is the co-host of the popular podcast Discover Ag as well as the co-founder of Elevate Ag - an online course and community providing producers with the tools they need to successfully advocate and share online. She and her husband live in Central Nebraska where they own and operate Kovarik Cattle Co, a cow-calf operation with a growing registered herd. For the past 3 years, Natalie has been sharing her ranching and family story online to showcase the beauty behind the western lifestyle as well as foster a community that supports and trusts in Agriculture as much as she does. 

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On today’s episode, I’m joined by Colby Yates. We talk about the adjustment from competing as individuals vs. as a team, nourishing relationships with your teammates, and navigating both character traits and skills of each teammate.

Colby Yates is no stranger to competing on bull riding’s biggest stages. Throughout his 10-year professional career, Yates made five appearances at the PBR World Finals, qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, was crowned the 2011 Iron Cowboy Champion, and currently is the Co-Coach for the Arizona Ridge Riders, one of the inaugural teams of the PBR Teams. Aside from multiple event titles in his career, Yates also etched his name in the history books, setting two NFR round scoring records, which he still holds today. As both an ambassador and mentor, he has dedicated much of his life to helping develop well-rounded bull riders both on and off the dirt as well as being an advocate for current and future bull riders in his role as a rider representative on the PBR competition committee. In addition to coaching the Ridge Riders, he also serves as an on-air host and analyst for The American Rodeo and Teton Ridge+. 

Resources & Links:

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In each guest episode, I ask the guest four rapid fire questions. I have thoroughly enjoyed the answers that the guests have given so far and I have been reminded that sometimes the most monumental takeaways are usually very simple at their core. Sometimes we expect answers to be big, groundbreaking things, but in reality, we are often most effective when we don’t overcomplicate things. In today’s episode, I am going to share MY answers to the four rapid fire questions: 

Jessie was born and raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, which at an early age, instilled in her the importance of a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for the American West.

In addition to her lifelong involvement raising cattle, Jessie has had over a decade’s worth of experience in print and digital media, both writing for and producing various agriculture and western fashion publications, as well as freelancing in ag and western communications.

As someone who has been on all sides of the spectrum—as a job seeker, a business owner, someone looking for various service providers, and as a freelancer—Jessie deeply understands the obstacles one must navigate when job hunting or looking to hire for employment or project purposes in the west.

Jessie’s proudest accomplishment(s) in life is that of her family—her husband Justin, her son, Jhett, and baby girl, Jaxyn.

Resources & Links:

Connect with Jessie:

Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links, which helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.

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On today’s episode, I am joined by Katie Beal Brown, the founder and CEO of Lone River Beverage Company. We’re talking all about the importance of taking risks, how changing your perspective mitigates your fear of risk, and how the personal growth process is far more important than achieving your goal. 

Katie Beal Brown is a fourth-generation West Texan, born and raised in Midland, TX. Growing up, some of her fondest memories were from the time spent with her grandparents out on their family’s ranch in Far West Texas near Fort Davis. Katie attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where she met her future husband, Tyler Brown, a Houston native and seventh-generation Texan. Katie and Tyler Brown married in her hometown of Midland in 2013 and immediately moved to New York, NY where he had an opportunity in private equity real estate and she continued to grow her career in advertising. With years of experience at industry-leading agencies, she set out on a new venture to build her own brand, Lone River, celebrating her roots in West Texas. Lone River pioneered the tequila-style hard seltzer category with its introduction of Lone River Ranch Water and more recently Lone River Ranch Rita. After less than a year of record sales, Lone River Beverage Company was purchased by Diageo, one of the world's largest producers of spirits and beers including world class brands like Casamigos, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness and more. Lone River now leads the tequila-style seltzer category as the #1 Ranch Water in the U.S. Katie continues to lead the business on a day-to-day basis, as CEO of the brand and works closely with Diageo leadership to build further on Lone River’s success.

Resources & Links:

• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description

Connect with Katie: 

• Follow on Instagram @katiebealbrown and @ranchwater

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv

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In today’s episode, I am joined by Tucker Brown as he gives us insight on using your voice to strengthen ag and western industries. Tucker shares his strategies for sharing online, how to develop content, combating negativity, the power of focusing on your ideal audience, social responsibility, and so much more.

Tucker Brown is a 6th Generation Rancher at the RA Brown Ranch in Throckmorton Texas. They develop and sell 800 registered Black Angus, Red Angus, and Simangus bulls yearly in two annual sales at the ranch. Tucker graduated from Lubbock Christian University and then continued on to TCU for the Ranch Management Program. He has now been back on the family ranch for 6 years. Outside of ranching, Tucker has taken a love for marketing through social media and has grown a large following. He uses his platforms to share about the life of the American cowboy, his faith in Jesus, and some comedy along the way. This past year he was named the NCBA Beef Advocate of the Year. Tucker, his wife Karley, and their two daughters Rayley (2.5) and Brooklyn (due in July) live their dream on the ranch raising good cattle, kids, and quarter horses. 

Resources & Links:

• Masters of Beef Advocacy
• Beef Loving Texans 
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description

Connect with Tucker: 

• Follow on Instagram @tuckerbrownrab

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv

Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode!

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In today’s episode, I want to encourage you to keep going even when it gets hard. We’ll talk about the power of community and connection (especially living rurally), persevering even when you can’t see your destination, and the growth and confidence you gain when you don’t quit. 

Jessie was born and raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, which at an early age, instilled in her the importance of a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for the American West.

In addition to her lifelong involvement raising cattle, Jessie has had over a decade’s worth of experience in print and digital media, both writing for and producing various agriculture and western fashion publications, as well as freelancing in ag and western communications.

 As someone who has been on all sides of the spectrum—as a job seeker, a business owner, someone looking for various service providers, and as a freelancer—Jessie deeply understands the obstacles one must navigate when job hunting or looking to hire for employment or project purposes in the west.

Jessie’s proudest accomplishment(s) in life is that of her family—her husband Justin, her son, Jhett, and baby girl, Jaxyn.

Resources & Links:

• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv

Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode!

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On today’s episode, I am joined by Zach Lawless as he shares his inspiring and unique story of resurrecting his family company, Hyer Boots. We cover tips and strategies for how to hire and when, the importance and value of a strong company culture, and looking at trials as challenges not roadblocks. 

Zach Lawless is the CEO of Hyer Boots. He is a driven entrepreneur on a mission to reignite the legacy of Hyer Boots, a legendary footwear brand known for inventing the cowboy boot in 1875. After rediscovering the history of Hyer Boots in 2018 while exploring his grandparents' basement, Zach embarked on a two-year quest to reclaim the trademark and relaunch the business.

With a background in finance and an entrepreneurial spirit, Zach's determination and resilience have been instrumental in his pursuit to revive this storied brand. Through this journey, he developed an unwavering passion for the Western industry and its way of life, despite coming from outside the industry.

Zach is dedicated to bringing Hyer Boots back to life and serving the individuals and communities who share a love for the Western way of life. His commitment to quality craftsmanship and authentic Western traditions drives his vision for the brand's future.

Resources & Links:

• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description

Connect with Zach:

• Follow on Instagram @hyerboots and @zwlaw

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv

Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode!

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