Cassie West Kippen, born August 26, 1989, came into the world with eyes wide-open, brown chestnut in color, amazingly beautiful. Kindergarten; quiet and shy, a grade school tomboy holding a mud puppy in one hand and fishing poll in the other and then she was off to piano lessons. Middle school sports basketball, soccer, and hockey. You turn around and its High School, homecoming, prom, snowball coronation, and hours of guitar lessons. Before you even can comprehend it she has blossomed into a beautiful woman. At an early age of 8 what was amazing was her ability to draw, create, design and make things from fabrics. Her Instrument became a sewing machine just like a gifted musician who could play an Eric Clapton blues riff by ear. She could design and construct most anything on a sewing machine without a pattern, a natural ability. Then College and the agreement, “You get your degree in fashion design and I will help you create your company.” 2010 brought my retirement of 28 years from the WE Country Music Festival, leaving as founder and CEO. Well as the story goes six months after my retirement I was diagnosed with cancer. I wasn't sure I could fulfill the agreement. She fulfilled her commitment and graduated. She then presented me with the name of her business she wanted to establish, East-N-West Trading Company. Things started moving fast after college. She met her dream pirate, Jack, and married him. I became a grandfather, Franny my second best friend. Cancer treatment put me on hold. Then another blessing, I text her a picture of me ringing the bell with my doctor, at the Roger Maris Cancer Center. That signified five years cancer free, two years after we incorporated. We incorporated East-N-West Trading Company in 2014. We discussed her designs and creations including apparel, an outstanding doll collection she crafted, hats and bags. She decided to focus on producing quality, handcrafted, and durable, luxury leather and casual canvas bags and accessories. She starts designing and creating in 2016. I was glad to be along for the ride. I became the CEO and business manager; she was the creator, designer and President of the company. Because of our faith background and the grace I was given to be cured of cancer we agreed that it would be important to give back, pay it forward, provide some hope in sometimes a hopeless world. So we determined that on each collection she creates we would give back 10% to certain charities. Our vision was formed and her remarkable ability to create outstanding handcrafted products for sale was birthed, “Products with a Purpose.” Our Father-daughter-team truly became a dream come true. Welcome to the
East-N-West Trading Company