Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Wildeisen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
What started with a western wedding, turned out to be the most exhilarating buisness plan I set out to achieve. For my special day, I hand designed a cowboy hat to wear and everyone took eye. Within 12 hours, I had 8 people contact me to make them a hat. From there on out I decided I was going to go full throttle, quit my job, and master this plan. Creating one of a kind unique and custom hats on site following my sister’s guide on the Rodeo scene. I am now on my third year and special thanks to my family and friends for stepping in to help make it happen. We travel all over meeting new people and are now getting to see familiar faces. Nothing fills my heart with more joy than seeing each person smile when they put on their hat we just created.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think the hardest part was getting registered as a buisness really. I had to learn through trial and error as I didn’t know exactly what I was doing but knew I wanted to make it right. We are now an official LLC and continue to file quarterly taxes 🤣.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Wilde West Collective, we are known for making one of a kind unique and custom hats where no two hats look the same. A customer can come to our booth and pick out exactly what they want and we curate it for them using hand cut leather hat bands, cowhide, local family farm feathers, trinkets & brands. We also have a pyrography artist by the name of Ryan Krack who is able to hand burn any design someone might bring him. He is currently working on a custom of someone’s beloved horse they wanted burned into a hat and it is amazing.
I would say I am proud of myself for taking the bull by the horns and making it happen. Prioritizing what people want out of a cowboy hat & what we can do to elevate their experience. Next up! We’re opening up a trailer shop. Where we’ll have saddle seats and customers are able to come & create. It’s amazing how much this buisness has grown really. Each day I wake up with a new goal & driven ambition. We’re excited to share what’s coming in 2027. 😃
What does success mean to you?
Success in my life is defined by having a vision and making it happen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @wildewestcollective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19PxQ2zvrq/
- Other: https://wildewestcollective.etsy.com
