Ep. 173 | Jake Nelson Is Rewriting How Cattle Get Sold

In Today’s Episode:

What happens when a rancher sees a hurdle in the cattle industry and decides to build the solution himself?

In this episode of Leaders of the West, Jake Nelson joins Jessie Jarvis to share the story behind CattleQuest. A rancher, Army veteran, and entrepreneur, Jake created a tool that brings cattle market data from multiple stockyards into one place, helping producers make more informed decisions about when and where to buy and sell cattle.

Jake shares how an idea grew from a conversation into an actual product; and why he decided to launch before everything was perfect. He also discusses the challenges of introducing new technology into the cattle industry and how his military experience influences the way he approaches leadership, fear, and adversity.

Throughout the conversation, Jake covers:

• How his background in ranching, military service, and entrepreneurship led him to create CattleQuest
• Bringing cattle market data from multiple stockyards into one place
• Helping producers make more informed cattle buying and selling decisions
• Taking an idea from an initial conversation to a working product
• Introducing new technology into an industry that can be resistant to change
• Why he chose to launch without waiting for everything to be perfect
• The leadership lessons he carried from military service into business
• How working through uncomfortable situations can build confidence and capability

This conversation goes beyond cattle market data. Jake’s story offers a look at what it takes to recognize a problem, act on an idea, and keep moving when the next step feels uncomfortable.

Whether you are a cattle producer, an entrepreneur, or someone with an idea you have been hesitant to pursue, this episode is a reminder that you do not have to have everything figured out before you start.

Connect with Jake:

• Visit the CattleQuest website

Connect with Jessie:

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

Resources & Links:

• Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss
• 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
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
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More About Jessie

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.

More About Leaders Of The West

Leaders Of The West is a podcast for innovators and change-makers in the ag and western industries. Hosted by Jessie Jarvis, the Founder of Of The West, our mission with Leaders Of The West is to foster a community of pioneers, innovators, and leaders who want to be at the forefront of what’s next. 

Whether it’s a guest episode where we’re digging into the blueprints behind our favorite industry businesses, discussing the innovation and strategies that have allowed family farming and ranching operations to continue on for another generation, to episodes with honest conversations from entrepreneurs who have risked it all on their dreams, or leaders detailing how to create a company culture so strong that you couldn’t pay your employees to leave. 

These conversations are meant to encourage the leaders of today and inspire the next generation of trailblazers. 

In addition to bringing in guests, you’ll also find some solo episodes, where Jessie shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey as a rancher, entrepreneur, wife, and mother. 

Whether you’re a farmer, a rancher, an equine lover, someone headed up the leadership ladder, an ag business owner, a western sports athlete, an entrepreneur, or someone who just loves the western way of life—this is the place for you.

You’ll find new episodes every week. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss a show!