Breaking the Mold | Karissa Jones on Taxidermy, Trade School & Building Countrified Glitz

What does it take to build a career preserving memories from the hunt? This week on the Dreaded Archer Podcast, I'm joined by Karissa Jones, owner of Countrified Glitz LLC, to talk about her journey into one of the most unique careers in the outdoor industry taxidermy. Karissa shares how she walked away from sports, chose trade school over the traditional college route, became a certified welder, and unexpectedly built a successful business creating custom European mounts before expanding into full taxidermy. We dive into the art and business of taxidermy, what it really takes to preserve an animal, how technology like 3D printing is changing the industry, and why skilled trades deserve more respect. We also discuss social media's role in growing the hunting community, the future of taxidermy, and the "sweet dance" every hunter experiences while pursuing a mature buck. Whether you're a hunter, entrepreneur, artist, or someone looking to carve your own path, this episode is packed with stories, insight, and conversations that go far beyond the mount on the wall. In this episode: Karissa's journey into taxidermy Choosing trade school and becoming a certified welder Building Countrified Glitz LLC from the ground up The art and science behind great taxidermy Common mistakes hunters make before taking an animal to a taxidermist The impact of social media on hunting How 3D printing is shaping the future of taxidermy The business of preserving hunting memories Why the chase makes a successful hunt even more meaningful If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves hunting, archery, and the outdoors.