We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachelle Mapes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Rachelle, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
When I was around 18, I read a book “Excuse me your life is waiting” By Lynn Grabhorn. That was my first introduction to the power of positivity. I focused a lot on that, then over the years focused on my character. I wanted to be someone who is kind hearted, genuine, and uplifting others. I read various books, articles, and listened to podcasts to develop a character I was proud to be. No one is perfect, but I have learned that even on the hard days, there is always something better waiting. If I have a hard time finding something optimistic then I practice gratitude, there is always something to be grateful of, even just the air we are breathing. That changes my focus on how truly blessed I am, then the optimism follows.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a wife, mother of 3 kids. 2 boys 17, 16 and a girl 7. I usually always was a stay ay home mom doing side jobs here and there. I had a passion in working for myself and serving others. I spent many years volunteering at the school and church. When covid hit, my husband who was in the oil field at the time was laid off. That was the cross roads that changed our entire lives. He is a motorcycle rider and we always wanted to open up a business. So in May 2020, we went all in and created our business in our dining room. A motorcycle apparel business, selling leather vests, chaps, helmets, biker patches and sewing them on. In July we opened our store front. I had to learn to sew through you tube and over time and practice got it down with confidence. A year ago my husband shifted his focus to being a tattoo artist. That gave me the opportunity to take over Black Sheep Co. and become the face of the company. This fall I have put my focus into the customers. I changed the look of our shop, focused on marketing, and really got to know the customers and what they want. I was approached by a franchise to brand with them, and after careful thought I turned it down. It was such a huge honor knowing that they see us and wanted to work with us.
Its been an amazing journey growing a business from ground up, I had little knowledge in sewing and motorcycle stuff. It was so unexpected to enjoy this as much as I do. I get to hear stories from customers, see patches I have sewn on TV, and catch up with regulars. We serve many motorcycle clubs in the area and to sew their hard earned patches (a patch that not just anyone can touch) is the highest honor.
We have put together a car/bike show 3 years now, with a huge turnout. Usually around 2,000 people show up and we have incorporated making it a family event with bounce castles and face painting. Having an event that the community looks forward to feels pretty awesome.
I am now in the process of creating a brand (Black Sheep Co. Clothing) that has the message that its ok to be the black sheep, to stand out, and to be different.
I have been trying to come up with new ways to serve the community and this year I became a planning and zoning commissioner in the town if LaSalle.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Customer service was huge, I had many jobs in cashier, food industry, sales. I learned so much from those jobs in working with the public. Being able to smile through the toughest days, wanting to walk out and quit. I never did and learned perseverance and ability to make customers feel special through those experiences.
Problem solving is huge when coming across something, instead of looking at it as were doomed, or its broken. Looking at ways that it can be changed, fixed, or made into something new…even when it comes to personality.
Never stop learning, you don’t just graduate and move on, life is always about learning and improving. Your mind is a muscle and it needs exercise, times change, technology changes. We must keep moving forward and learn to stay on top of our goals.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Aside of excuse my your life is waiting, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It helps me keep focus, set goals, and the encouragement to keep going even after failed attempts.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: BlackSheepMotorcycleApparel
- Yelp: Black Sheep Co.
