Think Like a Founder: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
What does it take to build a brand that disrupts a category, captures hearts, and leaves a lasting legacy? Join MPI Kentucky Bluegrass for an exclusive keynote with Wes Henderson, founder of Angel’s Envy and current CEO of Saga. A dynamic storyteller and respected thought leader, Wes has shared his entrepreneurial journey with audiences around the world, including SXSW, TEDx, WhiskyFest, Bourbon & Beyond, and alongside financial leaders like Dave Ramsey.
In this high-impact session, Wes will reveal the mindset and principles that helped transform the many brands he has pioneered from a family passion into a globally celebrated brands. Attendees will discover how these same strategies, centered on innovation, agility, and authentic leadership can be applied to elevate the work of meeting and event professionals.
Walk away energized, inspired, and ready to think like a founder.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the role of innovation and risk-taking in brand and business development
- Explore how agile decision-making and authenticity drive long-term success
- Apply entrepreneurial thinking to event strategy and leadership
Anticipated Clock Hours = 1
Agenda:
1:00 pm - Registration Desk Opens
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Networking and Light Bites, Opening Remarks
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Wes Henderson - Think Like a Founder: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Q&A, Closing Remarks and Raffle
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Networking and Optional Venue Tours
Location Address:
The Kentucky Castle - The Ballroom
230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY 40383
About Our Speaker
As the Founder of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Wes Henderson created a one-of-a-kind spirit which is acknowledged as the most successful start-up Kentucky Bourbon in modern bourbon history. In this role, Wes built Angel’s Envy’s into global brand, creating some of the finest award-winning whiskeys, and he is recognized as a pioneer of the craft whiskey movement, particularly the introduction of secondary barrel finishes of American whiskies.
Before co-founding Angel’s Envy, Wes was a self-described “serial entrepreneur” for 30 plus years. His spirits industry journey began in the mailroom at Brown-Forman Beverage Company, eventually leading to becoming the CEO for Master Distiller’s Select, President and CEO of Conecuh Ridge Distillery, the producer of Clyde May’s Whiskey, and a Founding Partner of Papa's Pilar Rum. Independently, and with his family, he is the creator of several other beverage alcohol and consumer products, creating billions of dollars of brand value.
Wes is a state certified firefighter, where he was trained as a member of the Regional Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction Task Force. He is now an active Death Investigator with the Oldham County Coroner’s Office, and member of the Kentucky State Mass Casualty and Disaster Response Team, which has responded to accidents and disasters such as the crash of Comair Flight 5121, tornado fatalities in Western Kentucky, catastrophic flood fatalities in Eastern Kentucky, and most recently tornado fatalities in south-central Kentucky. Furthering a passion for flight, Wes has also served as a Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol as a pilot, specializing in search and rescue operations, natural disaster damage assessments, restricted area flight support for the NASA Space Shuttle Program launches at Cape Canaveral, and aerial drug surveillance for the DEA. He studied Aviation at the Florida Institute of Technology.
In 2020 Wes was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, joining his father Lincoln as one of the few Father/Son inductees in the history of the industry. He has also made appearances on CNBC, SiriusXM radio, Dave Ramsey’s Entreleadership Program, Ken Coleman’s Front Row Seat, and numerous other radio and TV shows.
About Our Event Sponsor
Tucked away along historic Pisgah Pike in the heart of Kentucky’s horse country, The Kentucky Castle is a one-of-a-kind destination where luxury meets leisure and southern hospitality shines. Whether you're staying in our boutique hotel, dining at our restaurant, relaxing in the spa, or hosting big celebrations to team meetings, every experience is designed to feel magical and meaningful. From weddings and getaways to dinners and spa days, we’re here to help you make the most of your time—because at The Kentucky Castle, time is well spent.
Come experience it first-hand at the September MPI Kentucky Bluegrass Chapter Education Event!
MPI Foundation Optional Donation: Support the MPI Foundation! Your donation of $2, $6, $10, or $20 will help fund scholarships, grants, and research initiatives that advance the meeting and event industry. Every contribution makes a difference in fostering innovation and growth for our meetings and events community.
