Meet Jeanie Hankins of Ben’s Saddlery & Shoe Repair

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanie Hankins.

Hi Jeanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Jeanie Hankins is a Wickenburg, native who spent her childhood with her parents and two brothers on rugged Arizona ranches and riding horseback in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. After putting herself through college, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications from Grand Canyon University, Jeanie set out for Wyoming where she spent time on a cattle ranch before settling into a newspaper career. She raised her daughter in Wyoming and shortly thereafter returned to Wickenburg to be near family. She also stepped in as publisher of her hometown newspaper, The Wickenburg Sun. During her nearly 30 years in community newspaper, Jeanie won numerous state and national awards for writing and photography in both Wyoming and Arizona. In 2024, Jeanie reinvented herself while also returning to her Western roots, when she took a leap of faith and purchased Ben’s Saddlery & Shoe Repair. Now, she runs a fully stocked retail store and a busy leather workshop where saddles and tack are repaired and many custom leather items are created. Ben’s Saddlery & Shoe Repair has been open in the same location since 1955. Jeanie is the fourth owner and remembers frequenting the store throughout her lifetime. She feels honored to have the opportunity to continue the 70-year cornerstone in her home town. Jeanie is married, has one grown daughter and two grandsons.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My best challenge is to continue the strong, 70-year-old legacy of Ben’s Saddlery & Shoe Repair in 2025 and beyond. The store is a destination for many return customers and friends from literally around the world. When I bought the store just over a year ago, there was no computer, no email address and no social media pages. I’ve been striving to master leather work, get familiar with all our repeat customers, and continue the level of craftsmanship our clients expect. Meanwhile, I have also been developing and online presence, and transitioned to a modern inventory and payment processing system, computerized the accounting, ordering and more. It’s been a lot of work, but with my husband’s help during his days off, and the help of several other key individuals Ben’s Saddlery & Shoe Repair is as strong as ever.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A fully stocked saddle and tack store with additional Western items including boots, hats, belts, jewelry, chaps, saddle bags, purses, pocket knives, saddle blankets, and gift items such as Cowpuncher Coffee, Chugwater Chili, and many one-of-a-kind locally made items such as metal art, pottery, pot holders, baby blankets, you just never know what you’ll find in the store! We also provide boot and shoe repair, with the bulk of it being new soles and heels on cowboy boots.

What matters most to you? Why?
Ben’s Saddlery & Shoe Repair is a legacy in Wickenburg. To many, it is one of the few things that has not changed or moved throughout their lifetime. People of all generations who grew up in Wickenburg come into the store when they visit town and they all say, “I came in to smell the leather,” followed by stories about the old days. The friendly atmosphere and feeling of home extends to all who enter, no matter where they are from.