Live Like a Leader with John Bates · 2026-01-22 · 45 min
Today I sit down with Dean Wegner, and I couldn’t be more inspired. Dean is the CEO and founder of Authentically American - a premium apparel brand that’s 100% American-made, veteran-owned, and mission-driven. Dean is a West Point graduate, former Army Ranger, and helicopter pilot who later worked at Procter & Gamble and Mars before diving headfirst into entrepreneurship. His story is one of purpose, grit, and values - he built Authentically American not just as a brand, but as a movement to create American jobs and raise the bar for quality and patriotism in apparel. We dive into how Ranger School shaped his leadership, the moment he knew he had to build something bigger than himself, and why being “authentically American” is more than a tagline - it’s a calling. Dean shares how he’s innovating with things like sweat-activated prints (yes, seriously), his biggest lessons in resilience, and why finding your “Ranger Buddy” in life and business makes all the difference. If you care about leadership, making a difference, or just love a damn good story, you’ll love this episode.
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