Once you wade through the ubiquitous custom-made cowboy hat and location-themed tee-shirt shops in Jackson Hole, you'll find a gem called Wild Cargo. This shop is different. It's an experience and special in its own way.
Located off the bustling Town Square in downtown Jackson, Wyoming, Wild Cargo is a well thought out, refined, and curated studio offering high-quality men’s apparel and accessories. Once you step into the store, you instantly feel a sense of relaxation with its cozy feel, friendly staff, and hand-picked collections from brands that cohesively crossover in function and style for any lifestyle.
The Wild Cargo team has clearly done its homework in setting themselves apart from the standard retail scene in Jackson. Naturally, we linked up with our friends at Wild Cargo as our first retail partner.
We sat down with co-founders Nate Siegler and Blane Woodfin, Jr., to hear what they had to say about starting a small business, how they choose brands to carry, and market trends.
3BIRD: What's the concept behind starting Wild Cargo?
WILD CARGO: The concept is a quality-driven men's store focused on quality over quantity. Nate and I have always had a passion for quality products and believe in the retail philosophy buy once, cry once. We found inspiration from outdoor brands, fashion, technical gear, artists and industrial designers. We knew that these products brought tremendous value to our lives and we wanted to share that with the world.
What are the top characteristics you look for in a brand to carry at your shop?
All of our favorite brands exist at the intersection of form and function. We believe a piece of gear - be it a button-down shirt or a waterproof speaker - has to get the job done and look good doing it. Our goal is that Wild Cargo is a collection of products that represent each of these qualities.
What is it about 3BIRD that makes it fit well into the shop?
Like I said above, our favorite brands exist at the intersection of form and function. 3BIRD fits this description 100%. Being a Jackson-based brand is the cherry on top.
What have been some of the successes & challenges as a small business in Jackson?
The first year of any small business is full of challenges. Tight cash flow, building online awareness, and finding the right product mix all come to mind. Successes come in the form of meaningful customer interactions. It is incredibly fulfilling to see a guy get excited about adding some new gear and apparel into his collection. We love to learn about our guests and help guide them to products that fit their life and style.
What are you seeing today around market trends in men's lifestyle apparel?
We're seeing a trend of popular products that combine heritage materials like canvas, leather, and organic cotton with timeless design. Our guys don't mind paying a premium price for something that will last.
What's a little-known fact about Wild Cargo & the people behind it?
Co-founders Nate and Blane are brothers-in-law. Being married to two sisters, we grew close through shared experiences in travel and the great outdoors. We both share a passion for adventure and the spirit of the Mountain West.
Wild Cargo Curations:
