Young livestock exhibitors often learn hard work, responsibility, and creativity in the barn. For three students, those lessons turned into businesses aimed at helping other showmen and spreading a message they believe in. Kamlynn Mason, Weston Lackey, and Archer Albracht each started ventures tied to the show industry: 2nd Gear Show Brushes, Light in the Barn, and Stinger Show Sticks.
It is no secret that our youth are our greatest asset in the Texas livestock show industry. Follow along as we hear from these exhibitors about how their enterprises grew from problems they encountered or values they wanted to share, all while their family, community, and faith guided them to this endeavor.
Kamlynn Mason | 2nd Gear Show Brushes
Kamlynn Mason, a 14-year-old from Montgomery County 4-H, created 2nd Gear Show Brushes a few years ago as a personal solution.
“In 2021, my barrow at the state fair had to be shown with a brush, but my hands were too small to hold a normal-sized brush,” Mason said. “We had to figure out a way to modify the brush to fit my small hands and be efficient.”
After hours of brainstorming and what felt like hundreds of tries, and with help from family and friends, Kamlynn came up with our half-bristle design, and the first 2nd Gear Show Brush hit the ring and was a success. Although her design was custom-made specifically for the pig ring, they can be used on any species.
“I started mass-producing them in 2023 after several people had seen me use mine and wanted one of their own,” Mason said. “Orders started coming in left and right and still are.”
Kamlynn credited her friends and family for helping her make her dreams a reality.
“From lending me some money to start everything up, to having ‘brush making parties,’ helping me with production at layovers, teaching me how to run a business and advertise, and everything in between,” Mason said. “I would not be able to do this without them.”
One memorable moment was at a 2023 sale when Kamlynn said that a generous donor bought a brush and told her to look around the barn and find a young showman who looked like they loved showing and give it to them. She described handing a brush to a young boy who was holding a brush that barely fit in his hand, then hearing later that the boy had been admiring small brushes online.
“When my stepdad told me that, I got goose bumps,” Mason said.
Kamlynn says agriculture has shaped her life since she was a baby. From going to shows when she was two weeks old until now, she has truly fallen in love with the livestock industry. She described lessons she has learned as both practical and spiritual.
“It taught me to never give up,” Mason said. “Hard things will pass, and because they happened, you will be stronger, to have endless determination and perseverance, and to never give up because you don’t know what God has in store. It is all in His hands, and everything that happens is His perfect plan.”
Kamlynn’s advice to other young entrepreneurs: “Find something you find interesting and that you’re good at and don’t be afraid to try. It won’t be perfect at first, and you will fail multiple times, but that’s the risk you take when you start a new adventure. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help or start over.”
Mason added a note on what many customers may not know. “Every brush is handmade. There are about six steps in making every brush. My community and I try to do them all to the best of our ability to deliver a product to help all exhibitors succeed in the show ring and point them to Christ.”
Weston Lackey | Light in the Barn
Weston Lackey, a 17-year-old from Haskell FFA, is currently a senior at Haskell High School. The company that he has created is called Light in the Barn, which is a business that combines two of his passions: the show industry and God.
Lackey said the idea emerged from a personal moment of faith after injury. On December 26, 2023, Weston faced a knee injury, and faith played a huge role in his recovery.
“When my knee injury happened, God spoke to me in ways I can’t even explain,” Lackey said. “When I wanted to quit and be done with everything, God was right there to pick me up, whether that was through the Bible, social media, or other people.”
He launched Light in the Barn on Oct. 15, 2025, with plans for social media outreach and an apparel line. Family and community were essential to getting the venture off the ground.
“My family has by far been my biggest supporters,” Lackey said. “Without them, none of this would be a reality,” Lackey said, adding that his town and “all of my lovely livestock friends” helped the idea expand quickly.
Weston described his biggest challenge as self-doubt about whether he was the right person to spread his message.
“I was terrified and extremely unsure if I should be the person who would be spreading God’s word,” Lackey said. “I had to realize that only one man has walked this Earth and lived a perfect lifestyle. I didn’t let the Devil’s words in my mind telling me not to create this takeover, because now I get the privilege of helping so many kids in need of hearing the word of God.”
Lackey’s proudest moments are the responses from people who say his work has helped them grow closer to God.
“All of the people who have reached out telling me that what I’ve been doing has made an impact,” Lackey said, “They have been getting closer in their relationship with God and have felt so much better since I’ve posted my content.”
Lackey advised other young agriculture entrepreneurs to be true to who they are and to block out critics.
“If you truly love what you’re doing, nothing will get in the way of that. Make sure to be true to yourself and those around you. Honesty is the most important part of our lives.”
Archer Albracht | Stinger Show Sticks
Archer Albracht, a 19-year-old student at Texas Tech University, is the founder and owner of Stinger Show Sticks. He described his product as a custom pig whip that is reinforced at the joint for longevity and has custom colors for a more standout design. Albracht launched Stinger Show Sticks on Jan. 1, 2024, after repeatedly returning from shows with broken or missing whips.
“The idea of Stinger Show Sticks is to change that,” Albracht said. “We reinforce the joint, so it lasts five times as long as the standard whip. With the custom colors, it allows you to have your own color pattern so you can tell the difference between a Stinger and a normal whip.”
Family support has also been important for Archer.
“Stingers have been used throughout our family and show group,” Albracht said. “They were the first buyers of my whips and have always promoted them. My dad is the person who helped me start this business and figure out all the right designs and the proper steps to make this become what it is today.”
Archer said his biggest challenge has been balancing the business with college.
“The biggest challenge I’ve had to this day would probably be being able to work on making Stingers and being a full-time student at Texas Tech,” Albracht said. “The best way I have overcome these challenges is through time management. I spend my mornings at school learning and nights making whips and preparing the necessary steps to make the whips.”
Albracht’s proudest moment came when a major buyer praised his product. He recalled selling a batch of fifty whips to Premium Blend Genetics.
“They are the biggest boar stud in the country, and they texted my dad and me and said that Stinger Show Sticks are their favorite whips and not another boar on their place would be walked with anything but a Stinger.”
Archer said one piece of advice for young entrepreneurs is to reach out, don’t be afraid to talk to people, and don’t be afraid to try new things.
“You may be different for a while, but it’s okay to be different; that is what makes you stick out and grow. Don’t ever give up on what you’re passionate about.”