Episode recap  

What happens when a West Point–trained Army Ranger turns his convictions about faith, entrepreneurship, and country into a fast-growing, American-made apparel brand? In this episode, Marcel sits down with Dean Wegner, founder and CEO of Authentically American, to explore how military discipline, servant leadership, and a mission-driven business model are reshaping what “Made in the USA” can mean today. 

 

Note: You can purchase one of the sweat-activated T-shirts here: https://www.authenticallyamerican.us/collections/army-west-point-screenprint 

 

If you use the code FOUNDER, you will get 25% off.

 

Bio:

Dean Wegner is the Founder and CEO of Authentically American, a Veteran-owned, American-made premium apparel brand. They are a company that celebrates patriotism, supports the American worker, and donates 10% of its profits to Veteran and First Responder charities. A West Point graduate, Dean served 7 years as a helicopter pilot and Army Ranger. Dean and Authentically American have been featured in Forbes, Inc. Magazine, FOX News, MSNBC, Nasdaq, Newsmax TV, and SiriusXM Radio. 

 

Quotes: 

• “When things are really challenging, you cannot do it on your own. You need a team.” 

• “No one cares about how much you know until they know how much you care.” 

• “You do not get to sing second unless you have a tireless work ethic.” 

 

Takeaways: 

• Servant leadership becomes even more important in moments of difficulty 

• Values create the foundation for how a leader shows up each day 

• Having a Ranger buddy or trusted partner increases your chances of success 

• Great ideas do not always come from the leader; they come from the team 

• Mission-driven work fuels perseverance and purpose 

 

Timestamps: 

[01:55] Dean joins and aligns with servant leadership 

[02:13] Dean shares his personal story and values 

[03:27] What Authentically American is and why American-made matters 

[04:38] The impact of creating American jobs 

[05:45] Business model explanation and pricing strategy 

[06:49] Military experiences shaping Dean as a leader 

[08:53] The meaning of sing second and respect in leadership 

[11:15] Leadership lessons from Ranger School and corporate life 

[15:20] Servant leadership during challenging times 

[16:27] Counterintuitive leadership lesson about thought leadership 

[18:15] Advice for aspiring founders and servant leaders 

[19:16] Future growth and building a sales team 

[20:34] Dean demos the sweat-activated T-shirt 

[23:29] Custom apparel for businesses and nonprofits 

[24:08] How Authentically American serves charities at cost 

[25:09] Speed round: family, fitness, and inspirations 

[27:29] Dean’s biggest hope for 2026 

[28:33] Leading with practical love in action 

[29:19] Final takeaway about having a Ranger buddy 

[30:09] How to connect with Dean and the brand 

[31:06] Closing remarks and Army-Navy game reminder 

 

Conclusion: 

Dean Wegner leaves listeners with a clear message that leadership is ultimately an act of service. Through his military lessons, commitment to American manufacturing, and daily devotion to putting others first, he demonstrates that meaningful leadership is built on humility, teamwork, and purpose. His story calls us to lead with care, stay rooted in our values, and pursue missions that create real impact in the lives of others. 

 

Links/Resources: 

Website: https://www.authenticallyamerican.us/    

Dean Wegner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanwegner93/ 

Facebook: @AuthenticallyAmericanCo  

Instagram: @authentically_american