Ep 12: A Creative, Relentless and Wild Lifestyle Brand that Built a Loyal Community – Kelsey McNeil, Strictly Wild Owner

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What started as a small Etsy shop making custom moto tees has transformed into a standout lifestyle brand in the motorsports world. In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz sits down with Kelsey McNeil, owner and founder of Strictly Wild, to talk about what it takes to build a business that’s both creatively fulfilling and operationally sustainable.

Kelsey opens up about her evolution from pressing shirts at home to managing a full-scale warehouse of multiple product lines with a dedicated team. She shares how burnout, design theft, and mental fatigue pushed her to step back, reassess and ultimately relaunch under a bold new brand identity. Through all the challenges, Kelsey has stayed true to her vision: creating products that not only look good, but mean something to the people wearing them.

From the creative spark behind new designs to her relentless focus on quality, community and customer experience, this conversation offers insight into what it means to grow a lifestyle brand that truly resonates.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The evolution from D8 Apparel and Just Ride Customs to founding Strictly Wild
• How burnout, design theft and mental exhaustion led Kelsey to pivot and rebuild
• How Strictly Wild built a loyal customer base through authenticity and quality standards
• Kelsey’s product development process: from initial ideas to hands-on testing, supplier sampling and real-world customer feedback
• Products that unexpectedly became bestsellers
• Upcoming product launches, including riding gear and more pajama drops
• What it means to create a lifestyle brand that sparks connection at the track—and beyond

📲 Connect with Kelsey McNeil and Strictly Wild:

• Kelsey’s personal IG: @kelseyfayabbott
• Website: StrictlyWildCo.com
• Instagram: @strictlywildco
• TikTok: @strictlywild
• Facebook: Strictly Wild
• VIP Group: Strictly Wild VIP

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers.

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