INTERVIEW: CHRISTINA // SHE WOLF MOTO CO.
Instagram: @shewolfmotoco
Website: She Wolf Moto Co.
MEET CHRISTINA OF SHE WOLF MOTO CO.
If you haven’t heard of She Wolf Moto Co., you’re in for a real treat. Christina Marin is the woman behind the vegan/horror/moto brand, and she has spent the past several years building a community of riders who aim to support and empower one another through their shared interests. She Wolf donates a portion of every sale to animal charities and can be found all many major moto and community events. Read along as Christina dives into her journey as a small business owner and share all the details of her recent Route 66 adventure.
About:
My name is Christina, and I’m from Orange County, California, born and raised. I am a hairstylist of 14 years and counting. I am a vegan friendly-horror film junkie, Halloween enthusiast, ghost hunter (haunted attraction go-er), highly influenced by music and lover of anything vintage or retro. I created a moto merch company in 2018 that combined all my interests in hopes of finding a like-minded community.
Motorcycle Journey:
My partner would take me along on rides as a passenger and I really enjoyed it. I expressed interest in riding on my own motorcycle and it went from there. He would set out cones to help me learn and showed me the basics to get going. I then took a motorcycle safety course to receive an endorsement. I got my license in 2017 and have been riding since, starting with a Honda CB125, then a 2007 Honda Shadow, to a 2002 Harley Sportster 883, a 1996 Dyna Wide Glide, and now a 2021 Harley Lowrider S.
“In finding the women’s riding community, I have met the greatest people in my life who I consider my best friends.”
How riding has changed my life:
Riding motorcycles means so much to me that I find every/any way to involve it into my entire existence. It’s an escape from reality and a way to take in the surrounding scenery. As someone who tries to plan their every move, it is a reminder that life doesn’t always come with a strict agenda. It’s a way to take things as they come and has helped me navigate my stress levels in a way I didn’t know I needed. It has enhanced my confidence and made me a more adventurous person overall.
Also, in finding the women’s riding community, I have met the greatest people in my life who I consider my best friends.
Route 66:
8 states, 12 days, over 4400 miles.
Riding from California to Chicago (and back!) was definitely life changing for me.
I planned a two week itinerary that consisted of breaking for vintage neon signs, historic motels, roadside attractions, ‘haunted’ old/abandoned buildings, retro service stations, vegan eats, and more! My friend Alana joined along for the ride and created the budget for our trip. We wanted to experience The Ol’ Mother Road and take in what's left of it. I am really fascinated by the nostalgia of old architecture, diners, drive-ins, and the entire ‘Americana’ age of things. It is a really eerie thing to watch the decay on some of the old buildings.
In some of the smaller towns, it’s almost as if time stands still. Growing up in a busy, fast paced, California lifestyle, it’s incredible to pass through these roads and see that so much of this country is still the same after so long.
Being a woman on a motorcycle is truly still foreign to so many small towns in this country. You better believe we got stared at almost everywhere we went.
I got to check off a few muffler men (Buck Atom Space Cowboy, Gemini Giant, Lauterbach Giant, Harley Davidson Man, etc.) on my list, as well as see the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in person! We even stopped for the Blue Whale of Catoosa, which was a huge highlight for us. A must see if you’re ever passing through Catoosa, OK!
We hit every element possible, with heavy winds crossing Texas and Oklahoma. After that, it rained on us the rest of the way almost every day until we reached Chicago. We definitely hit some challenges on the road, but we came out as better, more confident riders because of it. You can say we really “got our kicks!”
We stayed at a few historic motels that looked as if we were walking into a time capsule. Munger Moss Motel in Missouri and Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari in New Mexico, to name a few. It was a really neat experience, and I enjoyed that part so much! A few friends and family of friends opened their home to us, which was really comforting since being so far from home.
When we arrived in Chicago, our friends Nic and Michelle (The Bleeders RC & Tarnish Store owner) took us out for dinner and drinks to celebrate our arrival and Alana’s birthday! We stayed at Nic’s bnb above her shop (Tarnish). Must stay and visit her store below if you’re ever in Chicago! Super grateful for everyone’s hospitality along the way.
If you’re interested in seeing a day to day on this trip, feel free to check out my personal IG (@WVLFWVMVN) to see and read more in detail. I made some fun reels for each day! If you’re planning on doing this trip yourself and you’d like a copy of our itinerary and budget, I’m happy to send it to anyone who’s interested! Please feel free to reach out through DM.
Advice for the moto-curious:
Do your research and be sure to have an idea of what you’re looking for. I personally bought something small to learn on, then took the riding course for an endorsement. I wanted to be sure to pass the class, because I couldn’t afford not to. I learned all the basics on that bike and waited about 6 months before I upgraded to a bigger bike to learn how to ride on the freeway.
I’m a baby steps type of person, so I would suggest taking your time with it and really feel it out before you decide to invest. My first few bikes were used; then when I felt ready, I bought a bike that I knew would be specific to the type of riding I’d want to be doing. I knew that with a newer bike, most of the maintenance could be minimal. I can travel further with it, and it offers more reliability. If you like older bikes, be mindful that they will require more maintenance, so be prepared for that. It’s a great way to learn how to work on your bike, but if that’s not something you’re interested in doing, a vintage bike might not be for you. Ride your own ride and do what feels right!
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I wanted to create a brand that spoke from the heart and stood for empowerment. Something that supported human and animal rights and sent a good message to the moto world.
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She Wolf Moto Co.:
She Wolf Moto Co. was created based on all my interests in life rolled into one entity, in hopes of connecting with a like-minded community. When I first started riding, it was just my partner and me. Now, 6 years later, I ride with an entire community of women riders, and it’s the best damn feeling.
I wanted to create a brand that spoke from the heart and stood for empowerment. Something that supported human and animal rights and sent a good message to the moto world. We also speak for the misfits and the weirdos. As far as merch goes, I had a hard time finding an aesthetic that spoke to me directly. For the monster lovers, the horror film nerds, the ones who identify as an outsider, this brands for you.
With a male dominant, leather heavy world, I felt the need to take up space and show that it doesn’t always have to be that way. With more of us showing up, we are growing everyday and It’s really neat to see. I have hopes in the future to create sustainable, vegan-friendly moto gear that fit actual women riders and more.
A Day in the Life:
A day-to-day look at running my two businesses (doing hair and running She Wolf) usually consists of:
Waking up, eating a small breakfast (plus coffee always), maybe some light cardio/yoga (if time allows), pack/prep any orders that may have been placed. Then, getting ready to leave for my 8 hour day at the salon. Before starting work, I’d drop off a package at the post office. If someone tags us, or I have to post info during the day on social media, I’d usually do it while a client is processing. That also goes with checking and responding to emails that can consist of anything from a question on a recently placed order or booking my next vending event.
When I’m not in the salon doing hair, I’m prepping or working on something She Wolf-related. I also have a storefront in Downtown Santa Ana, so I try to make sure things are stocked weekly. Luckily it’s down the street from the salon, so I can pop in before/after work. Then, go to sleep– only to wake up and do it all over again!
Sometimes, I print my own merch when I have the time to do so and that is usually done on a weekend when there is no event to attend/vend. I prep/pack orders, do online & in-store inventory, curate moto related meet-ups, host donation drop offs for animal charities or raffles benefitting a cause, anything posted on socials or website, create itinerary for upcoming vending trips/events, contact possible artists to collaborate with, place orders to print merch, all while watching my budget that can be really limited at times. I literally do everything on my own, because I’m so used to independence. I like everything to look as if it was straight from the source and not as curated to show that there is truly one real human behind it all. I do get help at shows now, and my partner helps with printing and setting up for events. I am learning how to ask for help, because as She Wolf grows, it is very much needed.
“We speak for the misfits and the weirdos... For the monster lovers, the horror film nerds, the ones who identify as an outsider, this brands for you.”
Small Biz Challenges:
I think some of the biggest challenges I have faced would be feeling very limited with a budget. With inflation and costs rising on almost everything, it’s hard to maintain consistency. I just take it one thing at a time and pass it up if I can’t swing it. In hopes that if the opportunity rises again, I can swoop it up the next time!
I also struggle with the social media algorithm being really inconsistent. It’s a challenge to keep up with trends or constantly having to post. It can feel a little defeating. I’m pretty transparent with the reality of running a business online and in person. I think it’s a common issue with other small businesses and I’ve discussed it with a handful of people who have similar feelings. We try our best to uplift one another and help boost them online by reposting. A comment and a repost can go a long way.
All in all, these challenges always come with learning and growing, and I’m always down for that!
Greatest Success:
BUILDING COMMUNITY.
The connections that have been made by just existing in this space. Vending at events and being able to meet individuals whom I had talked to online face to face has been so moving. Showing up as a real human being behind the brand makes for more of a bonding experience, and that fills my soul. Hearing people tell me their road/life stories or how they resonate with the brand means everything. SEEING their reaction to a “Creature from the Brap Lagoon” tee or “Ride Hogs Pet Dogs” tee makes my day.
It’s so important to utilize your platform to speak up about topics that make up your community. I use our social media to stand for human and animal rights, and I believe people appreciate seeing from a brand.
Community is the main reason for existing. Truly. I think of how I felt when I first started riding, and I hear people tell me very similar stories about not feeling connected to anyone or anything.
While I understand that this brand is not for everyone, that's what makes it so special. If you know, you know. And if you stand for equality and compassion, this one’s for you, too!
Advice for new entrepreneurs:
Speak from the heart and have intention. It’s so important to have something that exists with pure meaning and a great mission.
Also, it is really really freaking hard. Haha. Like really. I question myself all the time and have more challenging days than you could imagine. I am a one-woman show with a lot of support from the community and loved ones, but I’m not kidding when I say it takes a village. As a sole proprietor, my budget can be really small so I have to move slowly and mindfully. I started SWMC with $500 out of pocket, and it took several years to continue to grow.
My best advice would be to set a goal and take it one day at a time. Be open to always learning and growing, because that’s exactly what owning a business is. If something already exists, take it as a sign and move onto the next idea. There’s plenty of room for co-existing, but be mindful of the road that was paved before you. Don’t compare yourself to others….and just like motorcycles, RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE.
Photo credits:
Spiderweb sissy bar photo & Dog and Nina photo by Dawndra Budd
Booth photo by Abz Cruz
She Wolf Booth photo by Camron Hatef
B&W Art Show photo byJason Stilgebouer