Meet Chele Archer | Owner + Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chele Archer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chele, how does your business help the community or world?
When I started Archer’s Arrows back in 2016, it was very important that our business not only supplied a good or service to meet a need but also use our income to make an impact on our community. In 2015 I became involved with an organization called Respite Care Inc, of Northern Colorado. They are a nonprofit organization in Larimer County that provides short term, quality care for children with developmental disabilities, giving respite to their families, and enhancing the quality of life for the entire family. Each month a portion of our sales goes to this amazing organization, along with other organizations such as Child Rescue Coalition (with select item’s profits from our shop going to this cause). I am also a firm believer that as a business owner, it is my responsibility to make an impact on the world by being conscious of the waste our shop creates and how we can best be environmentally friendly. We work alongside a Colorado-based company called EcoEnclose for all of our shipping and packaging supplies. EcoEnclose is eco-friendly and economically friendly. Being able to use recycled materials, and recycle the paper product we use in our shop by creating confetti or packaging padding for our packages has been of high importance to me. When we go to vendor events, I use 100% compostable and biodegradable bags for our shoppers. In the past, I hesitated to offer bags to our shoppers but knew this was something of importance at large events. After doing some research, we found a company called bioDOGradable. I now can offer not only a product, but also a bag that I feel is an environmentally sound choice. I feel that by making these small contributions daily, it adds up in the end to large changes in the end.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Creating art has always been a passion of mine since I was a small child. My parents both are very creative; my dad is an amazing artist and some of my favorite graphite drawings of his hang prominently in their home. My mom is a talented seamstress and a die-hard crafter. They always encouraged me to use my talent as much as I could, so when I opened Archer’s Arrows, it felt like a perfect option for me to spread my creative wings and fly. When I first started, I had to teach myself how to use photoshop and a few other design studios that were important in order to create the items I do. It took months of sleepless nights while I was still working full time, along with opening my shop on the ‘side’. It is amazing what resources we have available to teach ourselves online! It wasn’t easy and it was exhausting, but looking back at some of our first designs, to what we are doing now just blows my mind. I started with a small craft vinyl cutter, to now, where we have an industrial size vinyl cutter, heat presses, mug presses, screen printing, and more. I’m so proud of our shop, and that we do 99% of all of our creations in-house. It’s crazy to think that a Christmas bonus check given to me in 2015 for under $500 created this amazing profitable business we have today. One of my favorite aspects about my business is in-person events. I love seeing people look at the products we’ve created for them and laugh, smile, and just enjoy the product as much as we do. When someone loves what they do, it comes out in their creations. I feel like this is what has set our shop apart from others. We put time and care into each item that leaves our shop, and it shows. It’s been hard work, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat, just to see people smile.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being a Colorado native, there are a few must-sees and must-do things that are always on my list. One of my favorite drives in the mountains is heading up Stone Prarie Road near the Poudre Canyon. It is so peaceful, and one of my favorite spots to take someone that isn’t too far from home but gives them a taste of the mountains. We like to incorporate visiting some of our favorite breweries on our way back down the canyon into Fort Collins. Coopersmith’s watermelon beer is a top must during the summer, as is visiting the deck at High Hops. Another must-visit for me is Williams and Graham in Denver. This prohibition-era style speakeasy is one of my absolute favorite bars EVER. The libations and food are one of a kind, using local flavors and products. It is one of those places that you’ll want to take Colorado visitors to ALL the time and will surprise you more than you can expect the first time you visit. While in Denver we like to head to Larimer Square and grab food from one of the many amazing restaurants downtown. There are so many to pick from, but on the top of my list is the Kitchen and their amazing rack of Colorado raised lamb. Closer to home, we like to introduce our visitors to the best sushi in the Northern Colorado area- Sushi One.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes out to my amazing husband, my family, and my supportive group of boss babes that have had my back since day one. When I made the move from a Corporate Wellness and Fitness General Manager position, to a full-time creative business owner, my husband supported me 100% without question. He’s always been my rock, and the person who I know will give me honesty and direction when I need it most. He is the most supportive, hilarious, and creative man I’ve ever met and he enriches my life and my business more than he could ever know. I love you Raymond, thank you for always pushing me outside of my limits and challenging me constantly. You make me a better human. My family for not only supporting my dream and cheering me on, but who also uses our services consistently in their own businesses. They’re some of my biggest fans and biggest referral sources. I love you guys, even if we can make each other crazy at times. Thank you for having my back. To my boss babes who have consistently gathered to share, grow, and support each other when we need it most. I’ve created some amazingly close friendships with women in person and online who run successful businesses. I know that at any time I can send them an idea, or problem, and I know I will always have an honest and loving answer. They help diffuse me and have turned my frustrated tears into laughter within a few texts or memes. The saying ‘You are who you surround yourself with’ is so true, and I’m proud to surround myself with strong, creative, and intelligent women who are also kicking ass at this business life.

Website: www.shoparchersarrows.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/archersarrowsbychele
Facebook: www.facebook.com/archersarrowsbychele
Other: Blog- www.archersarrows.com/blog