Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Arriaga.
Hi Maria, 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.
I grew up in & out of group homes & foster care as a child. I had a rough childhood, and I knew I didn’t want that to affect my or my children’s futures. I started as a Western fashion content creator on Instagram (@mariaarriagaxo). I would create outfits & collaborate with many western boutiques out in Texas. I quickly started growing on social media, which was amazing. It brought many opportunities I never imagined possible such as collaborating with huge brands such as Wrangler, Idyllwind by Miranda Lambert, Country Outfitters & many more. I was going through some rough relationship issues & I knew I needed to seek my independence. I knew I needed to find myself & that’s when I started Reckless Cowgirl!
A western boutique with a twist! We strive to create a company that allows women to feel comfortable in their skin & in who they are without caring about what others think. Our goal is to help a woman feel powerful & in control! After a few months came Reckless Rodeo Hat Company & that’s where things started to change in ways I could have never imagined. Reckless Rodeo Hat Co. is a rodeo hat company! We offer some of the most iconic hats on the market. We have collaborated with many amazing country artists & it’s just been a wild ride. I tend to express myself, pain, happiness, and past threw my designs & just seeing people in them brings me so much joy. One of our best-selling hats, The “Stripper,” is a “turn pain into power” hat. I created this hat based on a hard relationship & infidelity. It quickly turned into our best-selling hat & sold out 7 times! Sometimes using your pain as an inspiration somewhere in your life helps heal. It gave me a sense of power knowing I could take my pain & make a profit out of it. I think it’s important to find what you love & make a business out of it. It takes a lot of hard work & dedication, but it is well worth it.
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?
I’m very thankful for the opportunities I have gotten & the amazing people/friends I have met on the way; however, the road was not easy. I struggle with depression and anxiety. Running a business & creating made it a tad worse, but at the same time, it drove me. There were days when I wouldn’t even post about my companies due to anxiety. It was a huge learning process! I didn’t even graduate high school & here I am, running TWO LLCs; it’s like I barely can do the math! I remember thinking, “I wanna start this company, but I’m a girl! Who is going to buy hats made by a girl?!” My first collaboration in Reckless Rodeo Hat Co. was with Koe Wetzel. That was & still is my motivation to this day.
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?
I am the Owner & Founder of Reckless Cowgirl. It’s a one-person show here, lol I do everything from creating content, social media, packing orders, etc. Reckless Cowgirl is a western fashion boutique with a twist offering many exclusive pieces with a little bit or a lot of attitude. We have our famous “Fuck Off Cowboy” collection, lol, Embroidered denim with some reckless sayings. It’s that boutique that stands out from the rest. I’m proud of how much Reckless Cowgirl has grown. We are more along the line of an Outlaw energy boutique. I’m also the owner & founder of Reckless Rodeo Hat Company. We are known mainly for our hats! We offer some unique hats & designs. Honestly iconic! What sets us apart is our designs. We have a little something for everyone, no matter your style. I think what I am most proud of is all of our collaborations & designs. We have collaborated with Parker McCollum, Koe Wetzel, La Fiera De Ojinaga, Bailey Zimmerman, Flatland Cavalry, & many more artists!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
Put yourself into your business. Who are you? Your personality? Take that and incorporate that into your business because that is key. Patience & consistency is key. Be yourself & be unique. It’s not easy, but if you love your work, is it work?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.recklesscowgirl.com & www.recklessrodeo.com
- Instagram: @mariaarriagaxo & @recklesscowgirlofficial & @recklessrodeoofficial
Image Credits
Chris Kleinmeier @chriskleinmeier on Instagram. He shot the Parker Mccollum photo only.
