By ELIZABETH WALKER
One of the most aviation-oriented youngsters attending SUN ‘n FUN 2016 is also one of its most business-minded youth.
Rachel St. Louis, 14, plans a career in aviation and was marketing a line of aviation jewelry from her own display booth at this year’s event to help finance her ambitions.
Rachel, an eighth-grade middle school student from Machias, Maine, said she started making jewelry at the age of 8 after admiring her mother Rose’s jewelry.
“I put two beads together one day and I liked the way they looked and I wanted to do more,” Rachel said. “My mom encouraged me and when I made enough pieces I took them to a small shop and people told me they loved them and they bought them.”
When she was 10 her father, Michael, took her for a flight in his Cessna 172 and that launched her aviation dreams.
She started her aviation jewelry line after that introductory flight.
“I was so excited about flying that I began designing airplane jewelry that night,” she said.
Rachel is going to ground school and hopes to get her private pilot’s license in two years.
“I have learned from my business that it takes a lot of work to be successful,” she said. “And I know the dreams I have in aviation will take a lot of work and I am willing to work for what I want.”
She said she is a straight A student at Rose M. Gaffney Middle School in Mathias and hopes to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University after high school graduation. She plans to enter the U.S. Air Force after that.
“I hope to fly my dream plane, the F-22A Raptor,” she said.
Building an airplane during the next few years is also on Rachel’s agenda.
“I want to build a plane,” she said, “because it would show me how it is made and how it runs. I want to prove that I can do it and I want to fly a plane that I made with my own hands. I plan to build my plane myself, but my dad will be there for support. My goal is to solo in my own plane, the BushCat SkyReach.”
She hopes her jewelry business will go a long way toward financing her pilot and aircraft building ambitions.
“My aviation jewelry is one of my top sellers,” she said. “My key to success has been creating something I love that people also love to buy. My parents have been my role models. My dad has his own business and he helps me. My mom inspires me to be creative and takes me to the crafts fairs to sell my jewelry. I am saving my money for the plane I am going to build.”
You can see Rachel’s designs online at RachelsJewelryMachias.com.
This is a great story of a young lady with a plan for success. I wish you great success. With your drive you’ll be a success at what ever you put you mind to.
Dear Ms. Walker:
This is a fantastic story and we would like to reprint in our publication WORLD AIRNEWS, the leading African aviation monthly. Could we get you permission?
With kind regards,
Ed Hirsch
That’s fine. We ask that you included Reprinted with permission from General Aviation News.
Keep your trailer. Sell more jewelry. Take your lessons. Fly as much as possible. Get your appointment to the USAF Acadamy. Fly your Raptor.
Mike
I agree with Joe, if you need money for aviation– you will be able to sell your trailer. Marketing was a very important tool that Amelia Earhart used to raise funds for aviation. She did luggage, clothes etc. Rachel you will be a very good mentor for others who want to learn how to fly. Love your work, work your love.
Brenda Landing, Owner/Designer
Tea Time Consultants
Rachel, I also paid for my private license by making jewelry. I concentrated on making custom gold or silver pieces using the lost-wax method—mostly rings. Since then, I’ve flown corporately, ran an FBO, taught many people how to fly, flown single and multi-engine Part 135, flown air-attack for the US Forest Service and then did missionary flying in Ecuador’s Amazon jungle. So, go girl!
Rachel I met you at the Sun and Fun. You may remember me by my husband. He was a loud Marine that I kept telling hin to lower his voice. ? I also told you that I did not buy one thing from Sun and Fun from anyone but you. I was so impressed on your goal in Aviation. Then to know you want to bulid your own plane is outstanding. All of my friends loved the jewelry that I bought from you and when I told them the story about you. They want to buy some also. Iam so glad I found this so now they can purchase some from you. Wonderful goal you have..My name is Carla Morrison. I will be buying more from you. My son is in the Marines station in Japan. I sent some of your jewelry there also. So maybe you will get customers from Japan as well. Keep up the good work and I will be ordering more from you .
She should check out the University of North Dakota for undergrad. It is a top notch aviation program. They have two teams in the Air Race Classic this year.
ERAU is pricey, the USAF Academy is the place for this future Raptor driver, keep it flying.
That trailer she’s using to sell jewelry would buy all of those lessons, just sell it.
Perhaps in 15-20 years from now, Rachel will be a Judge/Investor on Shark Tank. And rest assured
she’ll own/lease the new “G-6” or whatever – and relaxing in the comfort of the “lounge” area while in joying a mixed drink and being flown (by others) around to her 50+ chain of specialty jewelry shops
in the USA and Canada?
And, of course, she also has time to fly her personal “L-39” for pure fun!