Jessie Jarvis is devoted to honoring the western industry through preserving its past and offering new possibilities for its future. Founder of the unique job board Of The West, Jarvis and her husband Justin have been intertwined with the industry all of their lives in the unique intersection of ranch, rodeo, and stock shows.
In early 2020, COVID was changing the world, and Jarvis’ phone kept ringing with calls from folks both looking for work and looking for employees. While Jessie and Justin wanted to help, they often couldn’t make an exact match between the different callers.
Jessie felt a level of personal responsibility to these individuals and began researching what platforms existed to serve them in their employment quest, discovering the options were limited to non-existent.
Before long, Of The West was born as a crossroads networking community for people within the agriculture and western industry. All jobs within the industry were welcome from the start, and it continues to be home to seekers and opportunities ranging from boots on the ground to the top of the corporate ladder.
Today, Jessie sees the site as a matchmaker for individuals with a little extra grit, work ethic, and problem-solving capability to find employers who value these traits and share their passion for the land and its animals.
In addition, she believes issues within the industry around low pay or hesitation to embrace hybrid work are related to rational interpretations of needs and the unpredictability of working with the land and animals. By raising more awareness of the professional opportunities within the western world, these barriers can be improved long term.
The future for Of The West is always evolving but will likely mean offering professional networking opportunities. Plus, Jarvis is a leader in the western fashion community and has tips on how to handle professional dress while maintaining western flair.
With the latest accolade of being the official job platform for the American Quarter Horse Association, Of The West is here to stay.
