In this episode, we dive head-first into one of the most polarizing topics in the show cattle world: slick vs hair shows.Few debates get people more fired up than this one — and most of the arguments miss the point entirely.We break down why slick shearing isn’t just about looks, why hair shows still matter, and how environment, genetics, and management play a much bigger role than most people want to admit. You’ll hear how the same cattle, under the same judge, can place completely differently depending on whether they’re shown slick or in the hair — and why that doesn’t mean either result is wrong.We talk about:Why slick cattle force honesty in breeding and feedingWhat judges really mean by “freshness”How climate and geography changed the rulesWhy different breeds succeed in different systemsAnd why losing either slick or hair shows would hurt the industryThis isn’t about picking a side. It’s about understanding the system — and making better decisions because of it.If you’ve ever wondered why cattle win one show and fall apart at another, or why this debate never seems to go away, this episode will give you the clarity most conversations never reach.Drop your thoughts in the comments — this one’s meant to be discussed.Like, share, and subscribe for more real conversations about cattle, business, and the decisions that actually matter.

Get Access to the Cattle Coach Academy:https://www.cattle-coach.com/kolten-landing-pageIn this episode, I break down why most cattle businesses fail and how to avoid the mistakes that keep people stuck growing herds instead of building wealth.If I were starting a cattle operation today, this is exactly how I would do it. Not by buying cows first. Not by buying land first. But by building the business backwards, the way most people don’t.We talk about quality, recipes, embryo strategy, loan structure, cattle debt, and why passion alone isn’t enough to make this business work.If you’re serious about turning cattle into a real business, this episode will save you years of frustration and expensive mistakes.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:22 Why Most People Start the Cattle Business Wrong01:05 Why Quality Comes Before Everything02:10 Why You Should Build the Business Backwards03:45 Securing Recipes Before Land or Donor Cows05:10 Creative Ways to Get Calves on the Ground06:35 Loan Structure Most Producers Get Wrong07:45 Why Cattle Debt Keeps You From Building WealthIf you’re new here, my name is Kolten. I created Cattle Coach to help producers think more clearly about the business side of cattle.This channel is about:Building cattle operations that actually make moneyAvoiding the most common (and expensive) mistakesTurning cattle from a hobby into a businessCreating long-term wealth through better decisionsAs long as you have cattle debt, you’re not truly growing wealth, you’re growing a herd.Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible.Keep learning.Keep building.And don’t quit.

Cattle Coach Academy & course: https://www.cattle-coach.comKnow Your Cattle Business — Trade vs Raise: which lane should you pick? Kolten Thigpen breaks down the risks, money mindset, and discipline that separate a profitable cattle business from an expensive hobby.Key takeaways (quick)Trading = fast turnaround, higher risk — must know the market.Raising = slow, requires discipline & tight finances — focus on systems.If you love buying and never selling, that’s a hobby — plan accordingly.Start with one discipline (budget, herd plan, or market tracking) and stick with it 90 days.Decide your lane — comment “Trader” or “Producer.”

https://www.cattle-coach.com/kolten-landing-pageIn this episode, we break down the real reason most cattle operations never make money. It’s not lack of effort, passion, or good cattle. It’s failing to run the operation like a business.We talk about:🐂 The #1 mistake cattlemen make📊 Why not knowing your numbers quietly destroys your operation💰 How to think about cattle as a long-term investment⏳ Why patience matters more than talent🚨 What to fix before you become part of the 90%If you’re building a show cattle operation, running cows, or working nonstop without seeing results, this conversation will hit close to home.🔔 Subscribe for real-world cattle business strategy, mindset, and management.

Cattle Coach Academy — course & sign up: https://www.cattle-coach.comIn this episode I dig into beginnings — the mistakes, the lessons, and the moments that made the ride worth it. I tell the full story of buying my first promo bull with money I didn’t have, a terrifying vet reaction, a fence accident that looked like the end, and how that same bull ultimately helped build QB Cattle. I also share the single lesson from my grandpa that changed how I chase goals: if you want something, you’ll find a way.If you’re starting a cattle business, rebuilding, or just on the edge of a risky move, this one’s for YOU.Chapters (edit to match final cut)00:00 — Welcome / New Year talk01:20 — The $5,000 bull purchase (Woodrow)04:10 — Vet shots & bad reaction — panic moment06:00 — The fence accident — he looked dead08:30 — Recovery, semen sales, and selling for $20K10:20 — Lessons learned: fail forward, don’t despise small beginnings12:00 — Grandpa’s “no” story — why I bought my first heifer14:00 — How I rebuilt and what I teach in the Cattle Coach Academy15:30 — CTA / How to get involvedResources & LinksWhat helped me most: share one “small beginning” you’re proud of (or one mistake you learned from) — drop it in the comments below. I read them.If this episode helped you:Like the video — it helps other cattle families find itSubscribe for weekly episodes: short lessons, interviews, and cattle business strategyShare with a friend who’s on the fence about startingFollow & connect!

In this episode Kolten Thigpen and our favorite guests from 2025, reflect on building a cattle business grounded in faith and family, the bold decisions that changed everything (including the sell‑out that netted six‑figures), and the community that’s helped them raise banner-winning cattle. You’ll get candid stories about growth, the Heart of a Champion sale, rebuilding QB Cattle, and why doing the work the right way matters more than the trophy.Join the movement:Learn more and enroll in the Cattle Coach Academy (preview & full course): https://www.cattle-coach.com/kolten-landing-page• Buy a preview (Only $150): https://www.cattle-coach.com/offers/oz8EkgD4• Buy the full course: https://www.cattle-coach.com/offers/xLBMcFL9/checkoutFollow the channel:Cattle Coach on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@qbcattlecoSponsors & partners mentioned:Bullnanza Stud Services — custom bull collection & semen salesExpress Livestock Genomics — fast genetic defect testing for cattleIf this episode helped you:Like, comment, and subscribe — it helps us get these stories and lessons to more producers and families.Tell us: which moment in 2025 resonated most with you? Drop a comment below.Want more? Watch the full interviews, deep dives, and how‑to lessons on the Cattle Coach channel — from breeding strategies to running a profitable cattle business.#CattleCoach #QBcattle #KoltenThigpen #ShowCattle #CattleBusiness #FaithFamilyFarming #Bullnanza #ExpressLivestockGenomics

Kolten Thigpen sits down with Skeet & Tyler Smith — the small‑town restaurateurs behind Skeet’s and Scooter’s Coffee — to talk faith, family, restaurant life, and the hard lessons behind a long comeback. If you’re a restaurant owner, small‑business operator, cattleman, or anybody who cares about stewardship over hustle, this episode is full of practical leadership advice, real vulnerability about failure (fire, debt, COVID), and the mindset that helped them rebuild.What you’ll learn in this episode:How they grew from a one‑fryer start to multiple locationsWhy faith and community drove their business decisionsThe story of a devastating fire and a 10‑year financial recoveryHow COVID forced them to simplify and focus on what matteredHiring, culture, and the systems that let you scale with integrityPractical takeaways for entrepreneurs, ranchers, and family businessesTimestamps / Chapters0:00 — Intro: “It is a beautiful day…”0:27 — Meet Skeet & Tyler Smith (Skeet’s / Scooter’s Coffee)3:01 — From dishwasher to founder: their origin story9:58 — What makes their menu and steaks special17:14 — Faith, worship, and community impact23:36 — COVID: “we were done mathematically” — the pivot that saved them34:02 — Why Scooter’s / franchising story mattered40:59 — Character moment: “He’d give you his last shirt”1:03:09 — Fire, loss, and 10 years to recover1:12:34 — Advice for new entrepreneurs & show cattle families1:17:23 — Closing thoughts & where to find themResources mentionedCattle Coach Academy — Learn the business side of cattle & ranching: https://www.cattle-coach.com/kolten-landing-pageKolten Thigpen / Cattle Coach channel: https://www.youtube.com/@qbcattlecoLove this episode? Do these 3 things:Like the video — it helps others find these stories.Subscribe & hit the bell — new Cattle Coach Show episodes weekly.Comment below — what was the single biggest lesson you took from Skeet & Tyler?

Cattle Coach Academy: https://www.cattle-coach.comShould you breed for the quick dollar or breed for the future? In this episode Kolten Thigpen walks through the tradeoffs every breeder faces — short‑term profit, long‑term genetics, how to use line breeding and outcrossing intentionally, and a practical checklist for mating decisions that protect your herd’s future.What you’ll learn in this episodeWhy “breeding for the dollar” can lock you into a cornerThe power of heterosis vs. the benefits of homozygosity (consistency)How to balance quick profit matings with future herd developmentWhen linebreeding works — and when it becomes harmful inbreedingPractical due‑diligence: what to look at when you go see a bull in personOne short piece of advice that ties it all together: “Breed them how you like them.”Subscribe for weekly episodes & cattle business tips: If this episode helped you:Hit Like — it helps other breeders find this contentComment below: What mating are you debating right now? Tell us the scenario and we’ll weigh in.Share this with a friend who’s breeding for the quick dollar — they need to hear this.#CattleCoach #Breeding #Heterosis #Linebreeding #CattleBusiness #ShowCattle

Learn more about the Cattle Coach Academy: https://www.cattle-coach.com/kolten-landing-pageIn this engaging episode, we explore crucial "life lessons" and "personal development" insights that often go unrecognized on the journey to achieving your aspirations. Discover the power of a strong "mindset" and how cultivating a "success mindset" can reshape your approach to challenges. We also discuss practical "goal setting" strategies to help you realize your true potential.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why “the chase” becomes an addiction — and how to replace it with repeatable systemsThe recipe Kolten discovered for creating his first champion (and why persistence mattered more than pedigree)Why selling to the right family / keeping your circle small is critical for long‑term successThe #1 habit that changed his program: reviewing raw footage (the eye-in-the-sky doesn’t lie)How the “Heart of a Champion” sale and the big sell‑out reset his priorities and businessPractical, faith- & family-centered advice for raising champions while protecting your home lifeJoin our community and get notified about new episodes and trainingsLeave a comment with your biggest takeaway — and what you want us to cover nextIf this episode helped you, consider checking out the Academy — it’s designed to put you in business for the long haul, not just chase one banner.

Cattle Coach Academy – https://www.cattle-coach-academy.comWhen a buyer asks, “What do you want for her?” the worst answer a seller can give is:“As much as I can get.”Not because you don’t want to maximize profit — but because that answer instantly kills confidence, slows down the sale, and makes buyers question whether it’s worth pursuing.In this episode, we break down why having a clear price (or price range) is one of the simplest ways to look professional, build trust, and actually move cattle faster.