Mercedes

"Smile, it makes the whole world a better place!"
-Mercedes

So how does a girl that grew up on skis end up straddling two wheels? My answer - anything that goes fast will do.

My dad always said, "Get up early, work hard and you will be happy." Okay, I'm not that good at the get up early part, but I do enjoy working hard and I am happy.

Here's my story. I skied before I could walk and spent my childhood flying down racecourses waaay too fast (according to my mom) and learning how to work hard from my parents. I'm very proud of my parents, mom and dad are Austrian/German immigrants who came to this country with 50 bucks in their pockets and achieved wonderful things. My dad helped start Stratton ski area and my mom, "the machine," opened a hotel and restaurant at the base of that mountain.

I spent many an hour cleaning toilets in the hotel, baking cakes in the restaurant and passing on my love of going fast by coaching little ski racers (something I'm sure their parents appreciated.) I was working in the ski industry when I met Scot and our move to Colorado opened up new opportunities for both of us. With Scot's encouragement I started my own company merchandising and designing retail stores. In 1994 I battled with cancer. I won, now I don't take things for granted!

A big part of my happiness is the man I'm married to, he's the reason I get to ride those incredible machines. Scot's dream was to own a motorcycle shop and because of his insatiable passion and incredible drive (and a lot of hard work) we have accomplished a lot. Redhill has officially been in business 5 years, a good excuse to have a party don't you think!

Presently I am the official paper pusher at Redhill amongst other things, I run around and keep the shelves stocked and drive Scot and the boys crazy at times. I love what I do, I adore all my customers (some more than others) and am thankful for the fantastic team of employees that surrounds me. I get to ride hot rockets for my job and Sturgis is a tax write off. My husband is a mechanical genius and sometimes lets me go in the back and help build my own bike.this winter will bring the biggest challenge as I plan to do the whole thing myself.

I want to take this moment to thank all those (and you know who you are) that encouraged and supported me both financially and emotionally in all my adventures, (and there have been many!) Without you my life would not be what it is.

---Mercedes