When the Western & English Sales Association (WESA)—the go-to network for equine gear retailers and manufacturers—asked J. Marc Bailey and his son, Cole, to join the Wisdom by WESA podcast, they saddled up for a lively ride through music, mayhem, and handmade hats. Here’s a playful roundup of their chat, plus why you’ll want to tune in.
What is WESA—and Why It Matters
WESA brings together everyone from saddle shops to tack stores, creating a community that trades insider tips, forges partnerships, and spotlights the latest in Western and English riding gear. Their Wisdom by WESA show is your backstage pass to industry trends, and Episode 154 just happened to shine its spotlight on Gone Country Hats.
From Drumsticks to Cowboy Hats
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Rock ’n’ Rodeo Roots: J. Marc kicked off as a nine-year-old drummer, battled carpal tunnel in his twenties, then learned guitar and vocals—eventually sharing stages with country’s finest.
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Hat Fan Turned COO: After rocking stages and writing hits, he discovered Gone Country during COVID, fell for their signature straw, and now, he’s the COO. Talk about a plot twist!
Customer Service That Could Lasso a Unicorn
Gone Country’s secret sauce? Putting people first:
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Real Humans, Always: No bots. Founders Keith and Judy still pick up the phone, and their team follows suit.
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1,500+ Five-Star Reviews: Detailed, heartfelt stories from happy customers prove that this isn’t just hat talk—it’s relationship building.
Tackling the Top Three Pain Points
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Fear of the Wrong Fit? Their Perfect-Fit Guarantee pairs easy-to-follow measuring videos with prepaid return shipping until you find “the one.”
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Backorder Blues? If it’s listed, it ships within 24–48 hours from their Orlando warehouse—no months-long waits.
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Craving Custom Flair? From the timeless Yellowstone straw crown to luxe cashmere-wool blends, every hat is ready for your own burned logos, branded bands, and bespoke trims.
Sneak Peek at WESA and Beyond
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August 13–16 at WESA: Look for Gone Country’s streamlined booth showcasing their top 40 best-sellers—no fluff, just fan favorites.
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Meet the Makers: This year they’re “pulling back the curtain” on the four generations of Mexican artisans who handcraft each hat with pride.
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Mom-and-Pop Power: Their goal? 2,500 multi-generational brick-and-mortar partners—because real relationships never go out of style.
Ready for more hat tales and behind-the-scenes laughs?
👉 Listen to the full episode here: