Meet Mary Big Bull-Lewis | Indigenous Entrepreneur

With our first business, R Digital Design, we launched in 2013. I went back to college when I was 30 years old and was working with my husband at another firm. I learned the graphic design industry, estimating, printing and other skills while there. I saw how hard my husband was working and determined that we could branch out on our own. I began reaching out to local small business resources to learn how to write a business plan, steps to register a business, and Quickbooks. To ensure we had income, I used my college degree to secure a full time job with benefits for our family. I continued to work full time with our new business and my day job. A few years later I left my full time job to be full time with our business. Fast forward several years, my husband & I would daydream about launching a clothing brand and were inspired by our love for the outdoors. Many times, when we were out hiking, we would think of business names or concepts. It was around this time I began seeking connections with my culture. Growing up in a primarily white community, I felt that I was missing something in my life. My grandma was a foster parent and she adopted my mom. My grandma had a huge influence on my upbringing, taking me to church every weekend and teaching me important life skills. I sought out a Native American counselor to help me get through a rough patch in my life. This person took me under her wing and showed me how to build a sweat lodge – from chopping wood, stacking rocks, and transferring the medicines. After my first sweat, I finally felt like I was home. Connecting culturally was the something that was missing my entire life. It gave me a sense of renewal and empowerment – to continue to be an authentic Native American woman living on my ancestral homelands. Stop assimilating or feeling the need to change who I am to fit in.
From these teachings, I spent a lot of time reflecting and from this our second business was created, Wenatchi Wear. I envisioned this more than a t-shirt or sticker, I wanted to design with purpose. Wenatchi Wear is proud to create awareness & empowering Indigenous Peoples through authentic threads. I learned how to create an e-commerce website and we launched this venture with the goal of building it through our online sales and pop up events, like at local farmers markets and events. Over the next few years, we began selling wholesale and getting our items in local shops. In 2021, we found the building that was exactly what we had been searching for for years. I joke and say it was built for us. We now have a dedicated small retail space for Wenatchi Wear and an attached garage/shop space for R Digital Design.
Wenatchi Wear is proud to create space for Native/Indigenous artists, small business owners in our new retail location. This action of highlighting Indigenous artists is to bring awareness and focus importance of authentic art, as this strengthens our Indigenous community while steering consumers away from appropriated, unethical products.

The concept of Wenatchi Wear is what sets us aside from others. Each of our designs shares history or a story of local geographic areas. They raise awareness and acknowledgement that Native American, Indigenous, First Nations people are still here and not a concept from the past. When people purchase a particular design, we include informational cards that shares the story about it. That way they can learn, remember and teach their families the story.
I would say that the road to where we are today was not an easy one. We carefully create our designs and stories to share information to the public, while some seek out traditional information – that is not what we share. Recognizing the lack of local Native American history in our public schools was another important focus on creating this brand. I was born and raised here in the Wenatchee Valley, so when we launched Wenatchi Wear I was unsure of how the Valley would take this brand.

When family and friends visit, they usually stop at our shop first to check it out. We enjoy taking them on a tour around the area. For food we love India House, Sumo, Blueberry Hills, Fire to name a few. Places would be touring the northern part of the state, Dry Falls and the museums. Visiting the Cashmere Museum and Wenatchee Valley Cultural Museum, walking the Apple Capital Loop and visiting our sons Eagle Scout project on the Eastside near 9th St. Taking them on hikes in the Enchantments or local trails like Two Bears.

My son for supporting me. He is the reason I am always moving forward and working towards creating a better future. He has always been my motivation.
Of course my dogs! They are always there for me when I have good days and bad days with their unconditional love.