The Woman Behind the Brand: Jodi Hendrickson of Fringe Scarves

ON TODAY’S EPISODE In this episode, The Woman Behind the Brand: Jodi Hendrickson of Fringe Scarves, we cover:  Resources & Links: Connect with Jodi:  Connect with Jessie: Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode!  ABOUT JODI Jodi Weishaar Hendrickson is a mother, cowgirl and founder of Fringe Scarves. Jodi’s passion for fashion, the ranching lifestyle and business has always been an integral part of her life. Her roots start on her family’s cow-calf ranch in western South Dakota where she busied herself during the long, cold winter months clipping photos out of fashion magazines to mix and match a style all her own. At five years of age, she taped price tags on her Mom’s large collection of cloth rolls and opened a fabric store in the family basement – her first business. Long hours horseback gave her the quiet time and freedom to dream. Her achievements of making the national finals in high school, college and Women’s Professional rodeos demonstrated her competitive spirit. Hauling with her auctioneer father, Lynn Weishaar, to the biggest cattle and horse auctions in the country, taught her about people and the importance of having a strong reputation in a tight community. Taking those lessons with her to Texas, she became the assistant marketing director for Equibrand, sales manager for an Internet company and then on to become Marketing Manager for Western Horseman and finally as Publisher for a group of western and fashion magazines under the Western Horseman brand. As Publisher for Western Lifestyle Retailer she got to expand her talent for predicting and driving fashion trends. After leaving the Western Horseman magazine group, Jodi launched the first online magazine for cowgirls in 2008. She called the magazine Fringe, The Magazine for the Real Cowgirl.  Although short-lived due to unexpected health issues, the magazine was the first of its kind. This mixture of experience would be key to her launching Fringe Scarves several years later. In 2009 Jodi was forced to pull away from her professional career and focus on her health due to Lyme Disease. After 8 years battling the disease, she finally had the energy and time to start something completely new. Jodi always felt scarves were an overlooked accessory and wanted to demonstrate their ability to make outfits come to life with the right colors and styles. Jodi draws inspiration for her designs from the ranching and rodeo lifestyle she knows so well and combines them with unique styles from all fashion genres. She loves being able to express her creativity in the designs of the scarves and the styling of the photoshoots. Her ability to leverage social media, low-cost sales channels and eCommerce platforms has quickly spread the Fringe Scarves’ brand around the world. Her motto – “Stick Your Neck Out And Tie One On” is about being brave, trying new things and living life’s adventure – and she’s excited to see where Fringe Scarves takes her. MORE ABOUT LEADERS OF THE WEST PODCAST:  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!]]>