Cassie Abel

Cassie Abel, Founder and CEO of Wild Rye, shares her firsthand experiences navigating the turbulence of Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods. She discusses the emotional and financial challenges faced by her women's outdoor apparel brand amidst shifting trade relations. Cassie highlights the costs of U.S. manufacturing and her shift to Chinese factories, emphasizing the need for strong partnerships. The conversation also critiques current tariff policies and the unpredictability they create for businesses, suggesting collaboration over competition for better outcomes.

Cassie Abel, founder and CEO of Wild Rye, builds stylish, high-performance outdoor gear with a purpose-driven, women-led approach. She talks product stumbles, the four-year journey to a ski line, switching manufacturing overseas, and how community fundraising and focused retail hustle helped land 100+ retailers and raise nearly $1M.