I'm excited to have Emily Konkel on the show today!

Emily is the Executive Director of the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA). In today's episode she shares her journey from starting from the ground up.

Emily grew up in Michigan with no connection to horses. The horse bug bit her around five years old. After college she followed her heart working her way through various odd jobs in the industry for years until landing long-term at the NRCHA.

Emily discusses the growth of NRCHA, the challenges of balancing tradition with innovation, and her approach to leadership including authenticity and genuine care for the industry.

This episode portrays grit and determination to follow your heart and passion.

Resources & Links:

• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Emily:

• Follow on Instagram @thenrcha

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

I'm excited to have Elizabeth Thomas on the 100th episode today!

Elizabeth shares her journey of transitioning from a corporate career to running Thomas Cattle Company's meat business.

Initially working as VP of Marketing at a credit union for 15 years, Elizabeth started the beef business in 2019 while maintaining her corporate job. She managed both roles before leaving her position to focus full-time on growing the family's beef business. The company operates both direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels, serving restaurants and grocery stores.

Elizabeth also shares the importance of team building, the challenges of managing high market prices and processing logistics, as well as prioritizing tasks.

Today’s episode is inspirational for those looking to make a leap to entrepreneurship or scaling their business!

Resources & Links:

• The Mel Robbins Podcast
• The Game with Alex Hormozi Podcast
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Elizabeth:

• Follow on Instagram @thomascattlecompany
• Follow on Facebook @thomascattlecompany
• Follow on TikTok @thomascattlecompany
• Check out their website

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

I'm excited for the 99th episode today! Thank you to all the listeners for making this possible.

Today I reflect on many different lessons I've learned from my parents. I'll share how they've built a successful cattle operation, the history behind the ranch, and their reputation for consistently raising high-quality cattle.

Some of the lessons I share include:

• Taking pride in possessions
• Living within means
• Showing courage
• Doing whatever it takes to complete tasks
• Prioritizing work before play
• Maintaining financial responsibility
• Avoiding trend-chasing
• Practicing humility

I'm so grateful to be my parents' child. Their teachings have influenced and impacted my success in various ventures beyond ranching.

Stay tuned for the 100th episode next week!

Resources & Links:

• Be A Maker School
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

In today’s episode, Mark Stewart is sitting down with me. He shares his background and journey to Agriculture Future of America (AFA), explaining how he transitioned from higher education fundraising to his current role through networking connections.

Mark described AFA's mission and highlights how AFA enhances students' networks and aids in career pathway exploration.

We also dive deep into board governance. Mark shares insights from his experience across various organizations. He shares the importance of understanding different board structures and the critical need for proper vetting before joining any board.

Mark stresses the significance of board member characteristics, highlighting critical thinking and objectivity as essential qualities. He cautions against joining boards solely to solve specific problems, emphasizing the importance of believing in the organization's mission.

You'll learn the three main aspects of board responsibilities if you're looking to serve.

Resources & Links:

• Author Patrick Lencioni
• A Bit of Optimism Podcast
• Cultivating Leaders- AFA Podcast
• Be A Maker School
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Mark:

• Visit the AFA website

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

In today’s episode I’m excited to have Sara Burks join us. I admire the parents that Sara and her husband are to their two girls and I wanted to have a conversation with Sara about all things parenting.

The conversation focuses on parenting philosophy, with Sara sharing how she and her husband, Jacob, established clear boundaries and schedules from the beginning with their daughters. Sara explains their approach of making their children adapt to their lifestyle and doing things as a family.

Sara discusses the importance of maintaining consistency in parenting, setting expectations, and allowing children to face challenges.

We also talk about the significance of letting children experience failure and learn from it. If you’re not winning, you’re learning!

Resources & Links:

• Be A Maker School
• The Boutique Hub
• SeneGence
• 3D Institute for Coaching
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Sara:

• Follow @theboutiquehub

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

In today's episode I dive deep into the importance of giving and receiving constructive criticism.

I share my experience raising my two kids and the parallels between parenting different children and training horses, where different approaches are needed for different individuals.

In this episode, I outline several key strategies for receiving criticism effectively, including shifting mindset to view feedback as an opportunity rather than an attack, pausing before reacting, and listening for the lesson rather than focusing on delivery.

Regarding giving criticism, I share guidance on delivering constructive feedback kindly and directly. This includes leading with empathy, using the feedback sandwich approach (positive-critique-positive), being specific in feedback, and choosing appropriate timing.

Resources & Links:

• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

Today we are sitting down with Phyllis Higgins, an Apprenticeship Talent Navigator with Zurich North America. Phyllis shares in-depth details on an incredible apprenticeship program available with Zurich North America that can include working with RCIS.

This apprenticeship program pays you to get your associate or bachelor’s degree while also working with Zurich. The schedule entails working Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and online school on Tuesday and Thursday. Not only do they pay for your schooling, but they also pay you a 40 hour week salary at the same time. In this episode you’ll hear more details about the program.

This program is committed to helping people earn a debt free degree and retain a job during and after the program is complete. Phyllis and I talk about how this program is for everybody: people just out of high school, someone that took college courses but dropped out, or someone who is looking to change careers later in life. Phyllis reiterates that you’re never too old to start over and keep dreaming and this program is a great step to do that.

Resources & Links:

• Apprenticeship Fact Sheet
• Apply for Apprenticeship
• RCIS
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Phyllis:

• [email protected]
• Check out their website

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

You all are in for a treat today! We are sitting down with Shaley Ham, maybe better known to you as West Desperado. In this episode we’ll dive into how and why she started out as a content creator and how she became the huge success she is now.

Shaley shares her perspective on what makes her most proud about being a part of the agriculture and western lifestyle. You’ll hear her tips for becoming a content creator and what she credits her success to.

I admire Shaley’s consistency and business mind and I have no doubt you’ll be inspired by Shaley’s continued drive and determination.

Resources & Links:

• How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Shaley:

• Connect on Instagram @westdesperado
• Connect on Facebook @westdesperado

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

Today I’m sharing lessons I learned while observing a bald eagle in my parent’s horse pasture yesterday.

I watched little birds antagonize the eagle as it was minding its own business and it hit me that we need to be the eagle. We don’t need to give attention to the people in our life that aren’t there to support us and cheer us on.

At the same time, we can’t be the little birds that are hurting others as they’re living their lives. None of us should aspire to be the little birds. The key lesson is that If we mind our own business and keep moving in the direction of our goals without paying attention to the negative, we’ll succeed.

Resources & Links:

• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed

I’m thrilled to have Lexi Hoagland on the podcast today! Lexi is the founder of Cowgirls & Cocktails and works in sales and partnerships for Lane Boots.

In this episode, Lexi shares her background of growing up a triplet in Denver, Colorado. She didn’t grow up in the western or agriculture industries but while attending college in Arkansas, she fell in love with the south. From moving to Nashville and working the CMA Fest to moving to Dallas to work at a construction company, along the way she fell in love with the romance of the western industry.

Lexi gives a deep dive into Cowgirls & Cocktails- a social club dedicated to building a longer table for women in the western and agriculture industries. Her desire to connect people and create a sense of community kept her persistent in seeing success. She’s an inspiration as she focuses on maximizing mentorship and models that growth equals happiness.

Resources & Links:

• Lane Boots
• Nuuly
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Email us at [email protected]
• Join the Of The West Email List
• List your jobs on Of The West

Connect with Lexi

• Follow on Instagram @cowgirlsandcocktails_
• Cowgirls & Cocktails Facebook Group

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Raising a champion takes more than feed. It’s work, time, and passion. 

Purina Equine Feed