My Biz: Tipton store supports self-sufficiency

Cheryl and John Fisher had one goal in mind when they bought their small Tipton farm and opened a craft storefront - to provide an environment where those with disabilities could play, learn to be productive and contribute to community, and become self-sufficient.

Today, what started as a casual visit to an alpaca show in an Arizona mall has turned into an alpaca ranch with 34 of the animals to date, in addition to Nigerian pygmy goats and various other farm animals and attractions for school-aged children.

As if the ranch wasn't enough of a culture change for the former Arizona residents, they opened the craft storefront that offers one-of-a-kind craft and paperie items - all handmade by the Fisher family as a way to raise awareness about persons with disabilities.

The unique paper art ranges from Christmas trees made out of old dictionaries to door wreaths sporting Hawkeye and Cyclone colors.

Originally from Chicago, Cheryl worked as a federal level advocate for education needs in the Phoenix area. John was employed as a seminar coordinator.

Concerns for the educational needs, as well as a sustainable future for their four adopted children, all of whom have disabilities, led them to create the new career path.

“What I want to do with the store is carry stuff that is very select to this area,” Cheryl said, “to the schools here with their colors.”

The storefront also stocks basic scrapbooking supplies, and offers alternating Friday night craft sessions that include dinner brought in and a quick and easy project.

“This helps us connect with the community,” she explained. “If people come into the store, I can share with them our story about the farm, and get them to come out and take a look at what we are about.”

The name for their business came from a Martina McBride song by the same name.

“I actually wrote Martina McBride and asked her if we could borrow the name Wild Angels. She wrote us a lovely letter back saying, ‘Absolutely.'”

“These kids all love this farm life. It is a very different life than in Arizona. It is a healthy lifestyle now - the farm is what we hope to leave as the legacy for our children so they have self-sustainability.”

• Name: Cheryl and John Fisher

• Title: Owners
• Company: Wild Angels Expressions and Wild Angels Farm
• Address: 415 Cedar St., Tipton and 787–125th St., Mechanicsville
• Phone: (563) 886-5018
• On Facebook

Know a manager or company in business for more than a year that would fit in “My Biz”? Contact business editor Michael Chevy Castranova at michael.castranova@sourcemedia.net.