Self motivation and encouragement are powerful tools that can change the course of anyone's life. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the impact of these two qualities in my parents. Despite not having a lot of money, they worked tirelessly to achieve their goals by juggling full-time jobs and full-time school. Their dedication and drive served as a constant source of inspiration for me.

From my parents, I learned that in order to create a better future for ourselves, we must take action and strive for improvement. Waiting for opportunities to come to us or expecting others to pave the way for us will only hold us back. It is crucial to step out of our comfort zones and actively pursue our dreams.

I am fortunate to work alongside a community of individuals who embody this same work ethic and determination. Together, we strive to better ourselves, support our neighborhoods, and foster growth within our business district.

Reflecting on the past, I am reminded of the resilience and resourcefulness of our ancestors. They lived in harmony with nature, relying on their own skills and ingenuity to create the life they desired. Their hard work and perseverance set the foundation for the thriving communities we see today.

I urge those who have been hesitant to pursue their dreams to take that first step. Whether it's starting a new business, learning a new skill, or simply making a change in your life, the key is to begin. Embrace the unknown, and trust in your ability to create the future you envision.

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My name, Ta Wapaha Ota Win, was given to me by my great grandfather Royal Bull Bear, grandpa Adolf Bull Bear, grandma Marva Bull Bear, and my parents when I was 12 years old. It holds a special significance in my family and is a constant reminder of the legacy I come from.

Before the ceremony where I received my name, I sat with my great grandfather and listened to the stories behind our names. It wasn't until later in life that I truly understood the amazing history and meaning behind Ta Wapaha Ota Win. As a young adult, I had the opportunity to have coffee conversations with my lala Adolf who retold me the story of my name. He shared with me the story of a woman from our past who was a warrior and a leader in our community. She earned many feathers in battle and in life, and her name symbolized strength, resilience, and compassion.

My lala Adolf explained that my name was chosen with intention and had high hopes for me, as well as all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was a reminder to do good things for our people and to uphold our Lakota way of life. Although I didn't get to grow up around my great grandfather and grandparents, hearing stories about them fills my heart with pride and joy.

In our culture, names are not chosen by us but are given to us by our family, community leaders, and spiritual leaders. They are earned through our actions and represent our identity, our roots, and our family. It is a way for us to carry on our lineage and honor our ancestors.

My lala Adolf expressed his pride in me for choosing to be sober and for working to help our people. He reminded me that my name was given to me to live up to and to do good things. While I may not be able to fully live up to the original Ta Wapaha Ota Win, I hope to at least make her proud with my actions and choices.

The legacy of my name and the stories behind it inspire me to be a strong, compassionate, and resilient individual, just like the woman from our past who earned many feathers in battle and in life. I will continue to honor my name and strive to do good things for my people and my community.

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Inspiration can strike at any moment, and for me, it happened while I was in the shower. Most of my ideas come to me during that morning ritual, and the name "Lakota Made" was no exception. As a Lakota woman, I thought it was fitting to play on the pun - "I'm Lakota and I made it." I shared my idea with my husband, who loved it just as much as I did.

From that moment, I took the idea and ran with it. I created everything from scratch - the recipes, the labels, the branding - and started Lakota Made from the ground up. It was a labor of love that I poured my heart and soul into. Over time, I've built an incredible team that helps me bring my vision to life.

We often get questions from customers curious about where our products come from and who makes them. The answer is simple - we make it all ourselves. Everything is produced at our facility in Mankato, Minnesota, where we work tirelessly to create high-quality, handcrafted products.

For years, the recipes for our products existed solely in my head. However, with the help of my dedicated team, we've been able to document and refine them. Together, we work to through challenges, grow the business, and support each other every step of the way.

At Lakota Made, we pride ourselves on creating everything in-house. From harvesting the plants to processing them, turning them into products, labeling them, and shipping them out, every step of the process is done by us. We don't believe in white labeling, where products are purchased and rebranded - everything we sell is truly made by us.

I couldn't have built Lakota Made without my amazing team. Each member plays a vital role in the success of the business, and I am grateful for their hard work and dedication. We support each other, laugh together, and tackle challenges as a united front.

As we continue to grow and expand, we remain committed to our mission of creating handcrafted, quality products that our customers love. Every day, we are reminded of the journey we've been on and the incredible team that makes it all possible. At Lakota Made, it's not just a business - it's a community of friends working together to create something truly special. Continue reading