Rasheda McCalpine
I used to hear people in the community say "wouldn't it be nice if we had a place where we could buy clothing? All of those "wouldn't it be nice ifs" turned into me noticing this building. I went to check it out and eventually I bought it. That's how it started. This is the most fun I've had in an awfully long time. It's hard work, but I'm loving the sense of ownership. Usually you are working hard without getting the outcome you anticipated because of bureaucracy. Now I see it, I plan it, and I get the result I want.
When people see you taking a vested interest in the community by deciding to do something about what's lacking, it motivates other people to do some of the things that they've always wanted to do but never acted on. It helps build community pride, which has been lacking in this town for quite some time. I’m very grateful that God blessed me with an opportunity to have this space and the space next door to add value to the community and to help foster a sense of community and empowerment. I love this place. It’s a small town, but I grew up here. I was born here and partially raised here. It feels real good to be able to give something back to the community.
You should never lose sight of the visions, goals, and dreams that you have, even if they seem far fetched to you. Sometimes you have to step out on faith in order for those things to come true. If you always try to plan it out and project how its going to turn out, you may always sit on it. Sometimes when you take a leap of faith, dreams actually come to fruition. This store was a total act of faith, I saw a need for something I felt I could accomplish. You need to hold onto your dreams, they’re all you have really. If you let somebody take those from you then what's left?
I am interested in finding out how people view the city, how receptive people are to change, what they would like to see happen in the community, and their willingness to be an active participant in changing the face of the community. Hopefully some of the things that I have shared will help fuel somebody else's passion.
I hope for prosperity for Hale County. Prosperity doesn't necessarily translate into money. You can actually be prosperous and not have a lot of money at all. I'm looking for prosperity to happen here.
Rasheda McCalpine
Business Owner, Fletcher McScott Clothing Boutique Greensboro, Alabama
Outsidein. A Community Space for Hale County.
outsidein: a community space for hale county. build space with your voice.
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