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Wednesday, October 24, 2012 NATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN'S WEEK OCTOBER 22-26 GIRLS WITH GUNS Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Girls With Guns Co-Founders Jen Adams and Norissa Harman show off their favorite items in their Red Bluff warehouse, standing next to a display case made and branded by Adams' boyfriend and Harman's husband. Girls with Guns it all started out of a garage By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Sometimes dreams really do come true and for the ladies of Red Bluff-based clothing company Girls with Guns it all started out of a garage. "Some people couldn't do it with their best diploma and the other only attending college for a short while before having to drop out to work full time, the girls have done well. "We now have our line in 60 Sportsmans Ware- friends, but I couldn't do it without mine," Co- founder Jennifer Adams said. "We're living the dream. The places this company has taken us and to meet people who know our brand is really fun for us." Part of what makes their relationship work is that one of them is a risk taker and the other is more conservative, Adams said. In November 2008, best friends Adams, 32, and Norissa Harman, 34, formed a partnership, starting out by hand drawing, embroidering and pressing hats in a garage. It wasn't until 2012, that they were able to move to a warehouse in Red Bluff for their operations base and until recently both girls worked full-time. In April, Harman was able to quit her job at PJ Helicopters and work full-time out of the ware- house. for Remax. said. "Other times it's 19 hour days and we're here until 3 a.m." The hard work they put into the business has been worth it, she said.While neither has a college degree, with one only achieving a high school Adams continues to work full-time as a realtor "Sometimes we're here until 11 p.m.," Harman to say you pushed me because I saw you girls run your business," Harman said. The girls first launched their line to give women hunters fun, trendy clothing, and now it has expanded to include clothing for younger girls as well, Harman said. Harman and Adams said they feel strongly about being involved with their community, both as hunters and locally, and in helping others who come behind them. The two are working with Sarah Gould, a Red Bluff teen who wants to launch her jewelry line, and love the mentoring role they have found them- selves in, Adams said. The two are involved in a number of organiza- tions including Gun Owners of California, the National Rifle Association, California Outdoor Her- itage Alliance Foundation and the Fregoso Outdoor Foundation, the later of which was founded by house, 10 local outlets and are in talks with two other large chains," Harman said. "It shows that if you work hard and put your mind to it, you can make anything happen." The girls love the stories people tell them of how their story has empowered them, including a local cupcake business owner who saw what they did and decided to try launching her business, Adams said. "It's so empowering to hear people you look up Tehama County natives Max and Kelly Fregoso who help wounded warriors and people with dis- abilities to enjoy hunting and outdoor activities. They try to donate where they can to local char- ities and fundraisers, but being a small business with only two employees besides themselves, have to pick and choose, which is hard, Harman said. One thing they do is to support some of the local shooting athletes such as Paige Pearce, a Red Bluff archer, and Jordan Munoz, who is a shooter that does local dog trials, Adams said. The girls have done quite a bit of traveling they never imagined thanks to the business of promot- ing and shopping their line across the United States, most recently in Fargo, N.D. and Salt Lake City, Utah. In Fargo, the two got to talk on a radio station with 50,000 listeners in the United States, Canada and Europe. Among the more notable things that have hap- pened with their product were the appearance of their line in the reality show Sarah Palin's Alaska in 2010 and most recently having a sandwich named after them at the local Rockin' R Restaurant on Antelope Boulevard in Red Bluff, Harman said. "We've had the opportunity of a lifetime to con- nect with different people in this industry and to see different lifestyles and ways of hunting," Adams said. "Last Spring we got to hunt in Queenstown, Auckland and other places.This is a male dominat- ed industry and for us to be able to squeeze our way in and help empower younger, upcoming (Continued on page 2D) With a collaboration of 66 years and different backgrounds, these four ladies make the Gold Exchange, a fun place to shop. Cary Freeman our Master Goldsmith has been at the Jewelry bench for 18 years. For the last 8 years she has been at the Gold Exchange and has maintained our community's jewelry. With her Artistic point of view she has designed, "Creations by Cary", wearable art that is fun and nature inspired. Heather Oller started at the Gold Exchange 7 years ago as a pawn shop employee. She began helping in the Jewelry store 2 years later, and moved to jewelry permanently at the beginning of the year. Since then, she has brought a fresh, new spin to the Jewelry store. Anna Palomino has been with the Gold Exchange family for over 23 years. As our ambassador of customer service, she greets every customer and situation with a welcoming smile and a warm greeting. Jessie Woods is the front runner and guiding force behind the Gold Exchange. She started this business with the idea that a pawn shop should have integrity and be a service to its local area. For the last 18 years her concept has helped boost the community and many local organizations. 423 Walnut Street Red Bluff www.redbluffgoldexchange.com 528-8000

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