Episodes

  • Teaching Retail, Building Brands, and Saying No to Consultants

    Teaching Retail, Building Brands, and Saying No to Consultants
    Nov 20 2025
    He’s taught future CEOs, launched student-run stores, and believes most consultants are a waste of money. In this episode, we’re back with John Talbott, senior marketing faculty at the Kelley School of Business to talk about what 17 years in the classroom has taught him about learning, leadership, and retail. John shares how Kelley trains students for real-world careers, the origin story behind Kelly Outfitters, and why motivation is the most powerful factor in education. He also reflects on post-pandemic retail, how Home Depot outpaced expectations, and why every bank should think more like a store. From early e-commerce to environmental impact, this one’s packed with honest takes and sharp insights from one of the most respected voices in marketing education. Connect with John Talbott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtalbott1/ If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com
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    27 mins
  • Lessons from a Kelley School of Business, Marketing Leader

    Lessons from a Kelley School of Business, Marketing Leader
    Nov 6 2025
    He took the lowest job offer, moved to Dallas with two friends, and launched e-commerce at Fossil before most people knew what it was. In this episode we sit down with John Talbott, senior marketing faculty at the Kelley School of Business, to explore his path from corporate retail to higher education. John shares why he turned down big finance firms, what made retail feel like home, and how a watch company taught him everything about branding, perceived value, and experience. He also reflects on raising a family in Bloomington, influencing future CEOs, and why he still believes brand is a promise, not just a logo.
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    27 mins
  • This Is How a University Brand Goes Big

    This Is How a University Brand Goes Big
    Oct 23 2025
    What does it take to manage one of the fastest-growing college brands in the state? In Part 2 of our conversation, Chris sits down again with Rachel, Director of Licensing and Auxiliary Services at UNC Charlotte, to unpack how she balances brand integrity with explosive campus growth. From managing vendor relationships and retail partnerships to wrapping NASCAR fire suits and transforming bookstores into social hubs, Rachel shares the behind-the-scenes decisions that shape a university’s brand every day. If you’re building a college brand, managing a campus store, or curious about higher ed retail strategy, this one’s packed with actionable insight and heartfelt reflection. Connect with Rachel Skipworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-skipworth-b3223471/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3 If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com
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    22 mins
  • What It Takes to Build Brand Loyalty on Campus

    What It Takes to Build Brand Loyalty on Campus
    Oct 9 2025
    What does it mean to be the brand you represent? In this episode, Rachel Skipworth, Associate Director of Auxiliary Services, Bookstore, and Licensing at UNC Charlotte, shares how 25 years across admissions, fundraising, and campus services shaped her approach to brand leadership. From rolling out a university-wide rebrand during COVID to championing internal buy-in across departments, Rachel breaks down what it takes to build belief from the inside out.
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    23 mins
  • How NIL Changed Everything: The Future of Athlete Branding

    How NIL Changed Everything: The Future of Athlete Branding
    Sep 19 2025
    What happens when college athletes become national celebrities overnight? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dale Arens (University of Iowa) and Craig Westemeier (University of Texas), we dive into the branding ripple effects of NIL, celebrity athletes, and the business of licensing at scale. From Caitlin Clark’s rise to the future of fair labor, this episode covers how student-athlete fame collides with institutional licensing and what it means to protect a brand while supporting individual opportunity. Dale and Craig reflect on their leadership roles, origin stories, and the coaching trees they’ve helped grow through mentorship. They also unpack the challenges of email culture, the power of a phone call, and why honest conversation still beats clever copy.
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    47 mins
  • What Makes a Logo Iconic? Inside Iowa & Texas’ Brand Legacy

    What Makes a Logo Iconic? Inside Iowa & Texas’ Brand Legacy
    Sep 4 2025
    What does it take to protect a brand that millions of people wear with pride? In this episode of In The Club, host Chris Jaeger sits down with two giants in collegiate licensing: Dale Arens (University of Iowa) and Craig Westemeier (University of Texas at Austin). With nearly 70 years of combined experience, Dale and Craig open up about what it really takes to manage two of the most iconic brands in college sports. From the rallying power of “Go Hawks!” to the global reach of the Longhorn logo, they explore the emotional weight behind a logo and the day-to-day work of protecting it. They dive into the evolution of brand licensing, the impact of NIL, the value of tenure, and why trust equity is a game-changer on campus. Whether you're in higher ed, athletics, or brand strategy, this is a masterclass in building legacy.
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    41 mins
  • Why Big Brands Are Calling Him Now: Growth Playbook

    Why Big Brands Are Calling Him Now: Growth Playbook
    Aug 21 2025
    Amazon isn’t easy—and Joe Stefani wants you to know it. In Part 2 of our conversation, Joe breaks down the behind-the-scenes grind of building Desert Cactus into a trusted partner for collegiate brands, pro sports, and now global football clubs. From retail packaging to hands-on quality control, Joe explains how staying detail-obsessed built the brand's reputation. We talk about e-commerce evolution, relationship-driven growth, licensing pain points, and his full-circle moment returning to Monmouth College to speak with students. Joe also shares his proudest moments—from packing boxes himself to having Arsenal and Chelsea come knocking. Whether you're in retail, branding, or just love a smart growth story—this one's for you. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-stefani-191a484/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3 If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com
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    19 mins
  • From Fraternity Flags to Amazon Success: Joe Stefani

    From Fraternity Flags to Amazon Success: Joe Stefani
    Aug 7 2025
    From a college dorm room to Amazon’s top ranks—how Joe Stefani scaled Desert Cactus from a side hustle into a licensing empire. We spoke with Joe Stefani, founder and president of Desert Cactus, about how he built one of the most unique businesses in collegiate merchandise. Joe reveals how a single fraternity flag turned into a brand selling across Amazon and beyond. He covers the ups and downs of licensing, the power of gut decisions, and why design simplicity drives product success. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-stefani-191a484/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-club-by-club-colors/id1611056742 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vqZB7gPKLTlkDHI66XxN3 If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com
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    19 mins